Taking your business Overboard
joeacast
Overboard Ministries was launched in January of 2011, and I didn’t have a clue how it would be used, how it would grow or even if it would grow. Basically, I was planning to start Overboard, publish Project Joseph, begin a blog and then see if the ministry could gain some traction. But before Project Joseph was even finished, I had already made contact with two other authors who were nearing completion of their manuscripts and were eager to begin a publishing relationship.
As I write this today, we have published eight titles by six authors. Our ninth title and seventh author are nearing the finish line of another book, and title ten and author eight are already lining up. It’s possible that most of these blog posts will make their way into title 11, too! I have had so many conversations with other authors and writers, and I know that as long as God gives us the time, we will partner with many others on writing projects of significance.
When we published our first book by another author, Steve Etner’s Extreme Mind Makeover, I was somewhat territhrilled* of the opportunity. On the one hand, I wanted nothing more than to help Steve get his work out to the world; on the other hand, I couldn’t imagine anything more frightening than being responsible for such a task.
That’s when I realized that Overboard Ministries wasn’t just a business, it was a lifestyle. You see, God was working on my heart to get me out of my own comfort zone in order to do what He wanted me to do. I couldn’t just preach Matthew 14 and the need for others to get out of the boat, I had to lead the way in my life. This new ministry venture had to be out on the water, not just a tool to help others get there.
I’m thankful for what God has produced in my own heart and mind about Overboard Ministries, and I know publishing is just one aspect of it. I’ve already had the privilege of sharing the Overboard Life as a speaker at youth events, churches and conferences. God has opened up the door for me to have conversations with movie directors and producers in order to talk about possible Overboard movie projects. Just last week my wife and I were talking about taking about to create an Overboard Movement for couples and families -- the possibilities are endless!
Ultimately, where God is going to take, only He knows, but I am confident of this: Life is always better on the water, because Jesus is out on the water, and that’s precisely where I want Overboard Ministries to remain!
How might your life be different if you stepped out of the boat in another facet of who you are and what you do? What if today you took your marriage Overboard? Or what if you took your job Overboard? How would your life be different if you took your business and threw it out of the boat and out on the water with Jesus?
16 down, 24 to go!
Go ahead and take the plunge, life -- including business and marriage and parenting and movie making and book writing and gardening and working out and grocery shopping -- is always better on the water.
As part of this 40-day blogging journey, I’m excited to reveal a few new changes to Overboard Ministries. Several of those changes are going to affect our look. I have some very exciting things to share with you, and I’ll be honest, it’s a little tough to not spill the beans on all of it.
Today, however, I do get to share an exciting piece with you: we have a new Overboard logo! We’ve been working with a fantastic artist named Samantha, and we are very pleased with her work. Sam is helping us with a number of projects (more of her work to come soon!) and I personally couldn’t be more pleased with how she captured the essence of Overboard Ministries with this simple and classy new logo:
I’d love to know what you think about our new look. Share your thoughts with us and thanks for coming along for the journey! You can always stay current with this blog by clicking the "Follow" link up at the top. And please join us on facebook, "Overboard Ministries" and on twitter and instagram @joeacast. (Twitter and Instagram will show you how the Overboard Life plays out in my family and adventures! So tune in for the personal side of Overboard Living!)
*Tear-uh-thrilled: The exciting emotion that comes from being terrified and thrilled at the exact same moment. This is often accompanied by sounds similar to those made by a man who has just caught the largest salmon of his life and is running to show his friends, while at the same time, he is being pursued by a bear who also noticed his catch.