Executive Archive: 2004


BP Note:

Basic Progress became a nomadic ministry in its earliest months and years. We met in a variety of settings including offices, classrooms, youth halls and activity centers. Being fully aware of some of the prejudice towards church that many BP participants carried, we met wherever we could, making sure that all who joined understood that our task is not to make them conform to anything, we just wanted to help them engage God in the BP way. God would then do what God does. One other serendipitous dynamic was found to be very helpful. That partner is named Yackety Jack. Jack is my Dalmation, who loves people. I began taking him with me to group and lo and behold, people responded to his unfailing blessings. Over time, Jack has become quite a therapeutic partner. I found that while many did not trust people and would not accept a blessing from me, they would take a kind tail wag to heart. Over time, I have trained Max and Luke to be there for the BP participants. Of course, not everybody understands that. Oh, well. Proof is in the pudding.


2004 Executive Summary

Friends,


I greet you in the name of Jesus. I pray that this correspondence finds you in good health.

There are many who don't seem to understand that Basic Progress is actually meeting people in ways that has not previously been available through faith based intervention. While I am the author of the workbook and am uniquely qualified to coach, there are many ways in which BP can serve churches and social groups to help those who otherwise might not receive anything other than a hug, a prayer and a pat on the back. This is not standard issue. Basic Progress meets a need that I personally needed and it is now available for people who are stuck in margins of life.

Basic Progress is not a theory. I have always paid attention to matters of character development and their implications for daily living. I went to school to test my beliefs and worked in prisons applying those lessons. Most of the course was developed by BP students themselves, asking questions, suggesting alternative approaches and arguing points of contention. This whole format has been under the scrutiny of hundreds of men in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice who had all the time they needed to research and every motivation to prove this curriculum wrong. We have withstood the test. We are now ready for public consumption. Everyone would benefit by applying these principles and these tools in their life. Unfortunately, most people aren't motivated without an overwhelming imminent problem. That is when we are there. Basic Progress is a format for God's activity in the midst of crisis and chaos.

Basic Progress Ministries reintroduces Biblical Christianity with a determined effort to avoid tradition, pressure, fear, or sectarianism. This is not a sectarian culture nor is a personality club. Basic Progress maintains no position on denominations. We readily talk about different beliefs. I do not hide my fellowship of choice, but all denominations are equally insulted, my own maybe more than others. I believe that I have the education, training, expertise and personal experience to be qualified, but I will always attempt to differentiate between tradition, doctrine, opinion, faith and fact. It is not our aim to make any one a Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Quaker or anything else. Instead, our goal is to discern Biblical truth and demonstrate how the major traditions treat it.

For those who make it through the rigors of the activities and discussions on the Basic Progress classroom, they are awakened to a new Christ, a new Church, and a new hope of God's acceptance. Basic Progress addresses matters of faith as well as deficiencies of character. Basic Progress Ministries provides the resources and the map to arrive at the decisive moment of repentance and conversion. We believe that 'Now' is the time to accept and acknowledge the absolute sovereignty, power, grace and love of God. God knows and is concerned with what is going on and wants to actively participate in our lives.

People in the margins of life are often ecstatic over the possibility of being acceptable to God. The universal availability of the love of God and, more importantly, a relationship with Him as our nurturer and provider often comes as a surprise. I have experienced that myself --we just can't mess up life good enough to be bad enough for God not to want us as His. The new converts who understand more of God are truly inspiring. They support, guide, pray, and share their fears, troubles, joys, and hope with one another. These believers help collectively in the molding of each individually. They are vitally concerned with the welfare of each other and often experience livened debate and argumentation as to what direction to proceed. This is as close to true fellowship as I have ever experienced.

I am grateful to all the partners who continue to support Basic Progress. You are making a real difference in the lives and families of hundreds of people. As this thing grow, I stand amazed at God's capacity to heal and bring blessing to the darkest of situations. Praise be to God!

Godspeed,

Jay Holland

Executive Officer

Basic Progress



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