Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:11-14

My heart aches when I have the conversations about if a nonprofit should close. It takes a lot of time and effort to start the nonprofit, and while there are seasons for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), it’s hard to hear of a ministry that will no longer minister. 

When a nonprofit closes, it’s a fairly simple process–much simpler than opening a nonprofit. In essence, you must inform the IRS with a checkbox on your 990, distribute assets to a similar nonprofit, and then celebrate what God did through your work. What that list doesn’t address is the grieving that occurs. For the most part, it’s better to keep a nonprofit going than to close. So then, the question becomes, how does a nonprofit thrive?

It seems simple–maybe simpler than closing a nonprofit! John 14 says to believe; Believe that Jesus is doing a big work and that prayer works. While the prescription is easy, the action is hard. 

I’m sure you can remember a day where it seemed impossible for the ministry to go on, whether you are a volunteer, an employee, or a board member. Maybe you had to move locations, or didn’t have money to pay staff, or couldn’t find one more ounce of compassion. And yet, here you are, thinking of that story. What was the outcome? How did you get there?

For ministries that last, I usually find that the answer to those questions usually include prayer. For one such ministry, in the 1970s the board was seriously considering moving to a more safe location, after 50+ years on the plot of land that the founder prayed on to start the ministry. It would be a major move. The board sat in a room and told Jesus they weren’t leaving until they got an answer. A day and a half went by before they had their answer. They were staying. And, they are still there today. Their story may not be yours–God may be asking you to move. But whatever you are struggling with, you won’t know the answer until you ask Him.

A nonprofit that lasts is built on belief and prayer. Whether you are in a crisis or not, keep believing and praying, and see how God increases the years of the nonprofit.

Order Hopelessly Hopeful During Separation, a 28-day devotional for people who are separated from their spouse because of marital struggles.

© 2023, Mollie Bond. All rights reserved. Originally published at www.molliebond.org.