THE VISION — A Note From The Director…

Thanks for taking the time to check out this overview of the Road Home Program. I recently visited Nashville TN for Gospel Music Week especially to share this vision with artists, industry leaders and pastors, and I was literally blown away by the response I received. One artist quizzically pondered “I wonder why no one has done this before?” An A&R executive said it sounded like a plan that was long overdue. Even the president of the Gospel Music Association was encouraging and thoughtful regarding the plan. All in all it was a fantastic time and a real confirmation that now is the time to launch this program.

As you may know, I remain involved with the industry in various ways. I am currently nearing completion on a children’s record I am producing for Gotee and BEC Records (EMI) and have been considering various options for future work. At this point I am ready to commit the majority of my working hours to launching the Road Home Chaplaincy Program. I am officially seeking the financial support necessary to make this my full time job for the foreseeable future. I will continue to be available on a limited basis for production and consulting work, but I feel the best approach to launching this ministry is for me to give it my main focus and attention for the next twelve months or more.

To that end we have opened up a bank account to receive donations for the program. Part of the project will involve securing an independent 501-C3 tax exempt status from the government, but in the interim we will be functioning as a sub-ministry of The Warehouse Church in Aurora IL; the church I have attended since 1988 and been on the pastoral board of since 1996. The day-to-day affairs of the Road Home program will be overseen by the board of directors, which currently includes Glenn Kaiser (Jesus People U.S.A.) Joe Paskewich and Stephen Harper (Calvary Chapel of Southeast Connecticut) and Randy Schoof (The Warehouse Church) and will be accountable to the elder team at The Warehouse. We are currently building the Board of Directors and we are establishing a Board of Advisors which includes numerous pastors, artists and industry personnel. The financial “books” and plans will always be 100% transparent and public. The initial expenses will include a modest living salary for me, travel expenses, technological investments and training.

The details of the plan can be found at www.RoadHome.info, including the budget projections. For the “launch” phase we are looking for churches, ministries, businesses or individuals who will commit to a certain level of financial support on a monthly basis for the next twelve months while we build the ministry program. Please consider if you can be involved in this program by supporting it on a monthly basis at the level of $500, $350 or any amount. All contributors will receive monthly updates on the progress of the launch, and all contributions are fully tax deductible. Most importantly, please keep these efforts in your prayers. I feel this is one of the most important undertakings I have made in my life, and I expect it to be a challenge on just about every level. With the support of the church, the wisdom of my peers, and the guidance and provision of the Lord I know I am up to the task.

Contributions may be made out to Road Home Chaplains and mailed to PO Box 5628, Aurora IL 60507-5638.

In Him,

John J. Thompson
Road Home Chaplains Director
630-272-4976 - JJT@GyroscopeArts.com