Federal Credit Union

Due to the area’s low-income population: high poverty and unemployment rates; and a high dependency ratio, the far-eastside is deemed one of the most financially insecure areas of Indianapolis. A credit union is a financial institution that is a not-for-profit organization owned by all of its members. Credit unions focus on helping their members save, borrow, and receive affordable financial services. With at least three banks closing in the immediate area over the last several years, and a significant number of predatory lenders in its place (payday loans, check cashing, pawn shops), the option of having a federal credit union in the community would lend to developing financial security to the area.

This Board & committee has been committed to the process of starting a credit union by securing a solid partnership with the Indiana Credit Union League, receiving the charter from the National Credit Union Association to formalize and begin an extensive 17-step process. In 2018, members of the team visited the Ft. Wayne Union Baptist credit union, a black-owned credit union that also started at a church, to observe and learn best practices. The group has also surveyed the community to gauge interests, which confirmed the community’s need for financial institutions & services in our neighborhood. Already we have completed 7 of the 17 steps and are diligently working through this immense process. One of the major goals for 2019 is to complete the business plan for submission to the NCUA.

For more information on how you can support the federal credit union initiative and get updates on its progress, please contact, Victoria Goggans at victoriagoggans@mtcarmelindy.org, 317-890-2740 ext. 13.

Charter High School

VISION

 Mt. Carmel High School will prepare young men for academic excellence and instill a sense of civic responsibility.

MISSION

Mt. Carmel High School on the far eastside educates young men while providing tools to empower them to live up to their God-given potential.

Carmel values education and envisions starting an all-boys charter high school, grades 6 through 12, in response to some of the problems our community faces in educating our African American students.

Research shows that:

• African Americans are disproportionately suspended & expelled from Indiana schools
• Many AA males do not meet the minimum requirements for high school graduation
• Indiana ranks as one of the 10 worst states in terms of AA males’ 4-year school graduation rates
• Preparing students for college and post-high school, as early as 6th grade has guaranteed benefits
• Additionally, in light of the recent high school closings throughout the city, to include John Marshall in our own neighborhood, we see a need to support quality & accessible education for the students of our community. Mt. Carmel envisions a school that will improve the educational achievement levels of African American males by providing an innovative curriculum, which prepares students for progression to post-secondary education and/or other career-focused pursuits.

Values and Philosophy

What problem(s) are we trying to solve? Why do we want to start a charter school?

• Failure rate of young men; high school dropout rate; complacency of not pursuing education beyond high school
• Educational system failures, justice system failure, and the school to prison pipeline
• Limitations to educational access on the Far Eastside
• Pride
• Integrity
• Respect
• Love of learning
• Accountability
• Leadership
• Honesty
• Love of Self and Others
• Honor
• Self-reliance
• Community
• Team/Interdependence

What do we want to be true for our students in terms of outcomes?

• High graduation rates
• College and/or career readiness:
  • Enrollment and persistence in post-secondary education
  • Engagement in a career path (vocational trades, certificate programs)
  • SAT / ACT/ AP/ Dual Credit completion
  • Soft skills
  • Internships/work experience
  • Study abroad and travel experiences
  • Technology skills
  • Mastery/excellence in reading, math, & writing
• Ability to think critically
• High scholastic pursuits
  • Goal-oriented
  • Love of learning
• Civic responsibility
• Lifelong learners
• Cultural enhancement/expansive view of the world
• Students are models of academic excellence and good character

For more information on how you can support the charter school initiative and get updates on its progress, please contact, Tanya Johnson at tanyajohnson@mtcarmelindy.org, 317-890-2740 ext. 18. 

The Fathers Farm, Farmers Market, and Food Co-op

VISION

The church and the Far Eastside community bound together in providing spiritual and physical nourishment for our family’s.

MISSION

Mt. Carmel Farmers Market and Fathers Farm, a joint effort to eliminate the Far Eastside food desert, while also promoting healthy living, by providing access to fresh ingredients for cooking to improve quality of life and wellbeing.

Mt. Carmel Farmers Market was established to offer fresh, healthy food to the Far Eastside Community.  The Father’s Farm which is located on the grounds of Mt. Carmel Church, plants and grows vegetables and fruits.  The farm is maintained by the members of the church with assistance from the community.  The church works in conjunction with hired farmers to prepare the ground for the growing season.  Church members, along with community support, work together to plant, nurture, and harvest.

The Food Co-op is taking the challenge to help resolve the Far Eastside’s Food desert issue. The Mount Carmel Food Co-op group believes that quality, affordable food should not be a luxury but a RIGHT TO EVERYONE regardless of economic status.  We exist to make good food available to all.

The Mt. Carmel Farmers Market is a monthly market held on the church grounds during the growing season, to provide easy access to the Fathers Farm fresh produce.  Mt. Carmel Farmers Market also invites local farmers and establishments to come alongside in providing easy access to fresh, healthy, and affordable foods. Click here to visit our Farmers Market website.

For more information on how you can support the Fathers Farm and Farmers Market initiative and get updates on its progress, please contact, Rev. Lola Bartlett at lolabartlett@mtcarmelindy.org 317-890-2740 ext. 12.  Market Master Cheryl Ross at mtcarmel@mtcarmelindy.org 317-890-2740 ext. 12.  Click here to visit our Farmers Market website.

Being obedient to the Word of God, we strive to live our mission statement daily.  As a reminder, we have adopted and adhere to five principles.  They are as follows:

1. Discipleship – Service. Discipleship consists of being of service to God and others.
2. Students – Self Improvement. By being a Bible student, we learn more about God and His will.  This improves our conditions and transforms us into His likeness.
3. Teachers – As we learn and grow closer to God. He wants us to share Him with others.  We accomplish this by teaching and living what we have learned as students.  While we are students for life, we must move to the dual role of student/teacher.
4. Leaders – Example Setters. Although we realize that none are perfect, each of us should be striving to live a life that pleases God.  We recognize that others, some we may not be aware of, look to us for guidance.  We must lead by example.
5. Evangelists – Soul Winners. This takes us back to the Great Commission and our mission statement.  We must reach out to others.

Principles for Christian Service

Being obedient to the Word of God, we strive to live our mission statement daily.

“MT. Carmel has several different ministries all working together to achieve the church’s mission.

Worship Ministries-

Worship ministries help to facilitate a superior worship experience for all members and visitors. The current ministries aid in providing an entire worship experience:

• Music
  • Mass Choir; Men’s Choir; Women’s Choir; Student Life Choir, Dance, & Drama; eMerge Choir, Dance & Drama, Signs of Praise.
• Bookstore
• Media
• Parking lot
• Ushers

Engaging Ministries-

Each ministry has designated times to meet. During the meeting times, the ministry group focuses on meeting the spiritual needs of its members. Ministry members meet to fulfill a particular spiritual need in a smaller intimate setting.

Community Ministries-

Each member is encouraged to serve our church and also our community. The ministries below concentrate on providing a particular outreach service to meet the needs of our community.

• Food Pantry
• Missionary/Evangelism

Pastoral Support Ministries-

Associate Ministers

“So, Christ, Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”. Ephesians 4: 11-13

Mission Statement: To function in a spiritually mature, and effective way, by exercising our gifts, to strengthen and encourage the church, and come alongside our Pastor in ministering to the members here at the Mt. Carmel Church, and in our surrounding community.

Deacon Ministry

Our Mission: The duties of the deacons are to minister to the needs of the members of the congregation.  The diaconate is a ministry of service and support.  It is specifically commissioned to address the spiritual needs of the membership as relates to grief, illness, birth, death, crisis (i.e. tragedies, accidents, legal dilemmas, incarcerations, etc.), and other similar ministries to the church body as needs occur, but in cooperation with the pastor (Acts 6:2-4).

Not everyone can perform the sensitive ministry that the diaconate may require.  However, there are certain basic biblical qualifications that must be evident for one to be a part of this critical ministry in the church. They are servants of the church.  They don’t give orders to the church; they receive instructions from the pastor and the church.  “They should never arrogate to themselves any authority for running the church.  Their greatest service to the church will usually be found in their assistance to the pastor.”

The biblical references to this ministry’s operation are found in Acts 6:1-7 as well as 1Timothy 3:8-13.  Additionally, they must be committed to tithing (Malachi 3:8-10), given to consistent attendance at worship prayer, and living a dedicated Christian life that is sensitive to the operation and function of our church.

So that this ministry may function in its highest capacity each deacon is committed to serving a delegated population of this congregation.

Ministry Mission Statements

Bookstore Ministry:

Our bookstore will provide Christian materials for your spiritual growth.

eMerge/Young Adults

Our Mission:  To create a network of young adults that promote spiritual growth, ministry involvement, and fellowship. The ministry will provide resources to help young adults apply spiritual principles in family, work, and social life.

Food Pantry:

Our Mission: To meet the short-term needs of the community, by providing groceries for those in need, on a temporary basis.

Funeral/Repast

Our Mission: To coordinate and organize repast dinners for our church member’s families.

Greeters/Hospitality Ministry

Our Mission:  To welcome every visitor and member to the house of God and make them feel at home. Give a smile, a warm handshake, a hug, all while having a positive attitude and displaying the love of God. Lead all church-related fellowship meals and church-wide activities that are designed to foster spiritual oneness with the congregation.

Health & Wellness

Our Mission:  To provide the congregation and community with beneficial information & tools that encourage individuals to continually lead a healthy lifestyle. We will meet medical needs that may arise during the worship service.

Media Ministry

Our Mission:  To make available audio CD’s and video DVD’s of activities held in the name of Mt. Carmel Church (which are appropriately edited to minimize dead space, exclude announcements, etc.) for the benefit of persons desiring to have future opportunities to listen to specific messages and music presented in our church.  These CD’s & DVD’s are provided for a nominal fee to cover the costs of the materials of reproduction, however, they are made available for free to our sick and shut-in, incarcerated, and out-of-town college student members, when requested items.

Men’s Ministry

Our Mission:  To build on our Christian foundation by studying the word of God, uniting the men of the Church, and introducing others to the word of God. To provide outreach to the community, our peers, and younger brothers. To foster the Gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good of our society so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus.

Missionary/Evangelism Ministry

Our Mission: To meet the needs of persons on foreign and home mission fields.

Music Ministry

Our Mission:  To offer quality Christian music that enhances the atmosphere of worship and other scheduled activities of the church.  A choir of volunteer singers, instrumentalists, and directors meet weekly to prepare songs and music for the weekly worship under the primary directorship of a staffed musician within the church.  It is for edifying the body of Christ, educating the people of God with His Word in song: through music that is biblically-based, Christ-centered, and Holy Spirit anointed.

Parking Lot

Our Mission: To provide service with excited passion by demonstrating our love for God and neighbor by socially empowering our members and our community as they come to worship our God.

Prayer Warriors Ministry

Our Mission: To foster prayer partnership with members of our congregation.

Senior Citizens Ministry

Our Mission:  To create a network of seniors to promote wellness, ministry involvement, and fellowship.

Sewing Sisters Ministry

Our Mission: To share the love of Jesus Christ through sewing. This service reaches far beyond the Mt. Carmel Family into the city of Indianapolis. These sisters use the threads of Jesus’ love to provide quilts, neck braces, and hats for those in need.

Sunday School Ministry

Our Mission:  To equip the members of the church through an organized study of the Word of God and to enable and empower them as “biblically” informed resources whose faith is securely founded on the truth of God’s Word (II Timothy 2:15).  The Sunday school primarily meets (but is not limited to) Sunday mornings at 9:45 A.M. for one hour with classes provided for every age group of the church population.  All members upon arrival and application for membership are automatically enrolled into the Sunday school program and are initially acquainted with the operation of the church through new member orientation (currently a six-week training curriculum for new members).

Usher Ministry

Our mission: To be a vehicle through which the Holy Spirit can work to create an atmosphere wherein those entering the House of the Lord may feel welcomed and make sure that those who worship at our church have every convenience made available to them.  Our job is to meet every proper need of the worshipper during the worship experience.

Women’s Ministry

Our mission: To empower and unite Christian women by the Word of God for the purpose of mentoring, evangelizing, educating, and supporting females of all ages.

Youth Ministry

Our mission: To work as a unified body to enhance and support the youth of the church.

We are God’s people engaging the power of the Holy Spirit to execute our divine purpose, to make disciples for our Lord Jesus Christ through evangelism, preaching, teaching, witnessing, stewardship, fellowship, and worship with excited passion to demonstrate our love for God and neighbor by spiritually, financially, educationally, politically and socially empowering our members and community.

God has a financial plan for His church.  God works by plan and He has a plan for everything.  He had a plan when He created the earth and humans.  He had a plan for the relationship between humans and Himself.  He has a plan for the family.  He has a plan of salvation and the work of the church.  He has a plan for the financing of the work He has ordered the church to perform.

Tithe – Tenth part, especially as offered to God.

Abraham presented a tithe to the Priest – Melchizedek (Genesis 1418-20).

Jacob pledged to offer God a tenth of all God would bless Jacob with (Genesis 28:22).

Old Testament

Purpose of Tithing

Tithing is a way of teaching us that God must be our first priority (Deuteronomy 14:22-23).

Tithing supports God’s ministry of the church (I Corinthians 9:13-14).

Tithing helps us to remember that God is the owner of everything (Psalm 24:1).

Blessing for Obedience Regarding Tithing

Those who properly pay their tithes are blessed by God (Malachi 3:10-12).

Consequences for Disobedience Regarding Tithing

Those who were disobedient regarding tithing were condemned with a curse from God (Malachi 3:8-9).

Others Teachings in the New Testament

I Corinthians 16:2 teaches that believers are to give “as God has prospered” us.  This Scripture teaches of giving above and beyond the tithe.

Tithing causes the practitioner to be blessed (Luke 6:38).

Tithing falls under the principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:8).

Giving to God should be cheerfully done (II Corinthians 9:7).

We believe in God’s plan in everything and we believe that every member of the church should pay the tithe and give an offering to the Lord.  Tithing is done by bringing God a tenth of our income.  This, in turn, would mean that God’s people would be able to do mighty works for Him and carry out the commandment of Christ in Matthew 28:19-20.

Prayer

Prayer is the means of communication between God and believers.  It is the believer’s greatest weapon.  It is used to both talk to and hear from God.  When properly used it allows the believer to speak intimately with God and strengthen the relationship between believers and God.

Prayer is:

Commanded by God (Luke 18:1) Believers must be obedient to God in all things at all times.  Always pray with faith In God. 

The means by which believers do great things (James 5:16) Prayer transforms the request of the believer into a reality.

Taught by Christ (Matthew 6:5-15) Believers must pray in the manner that is consistent with what Jesus teaches.  Prayer is a daily responsibility of believers.

Must be done in the name of Jesus (John 14:13) Believers must make all request to the Father in the name of Jesus.

Is sometimes public (John 11:41-42) Jesus tells believers to go into their prayer closet to pray both public and private. (Matthew 6:6)

How should believers pray? Let’s use the acronym A.C.T.S:

A – Adoration.  Address God as Our Father, Heavenly Father, Gracious God, Merciful God…

C – Confession.  Confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.

T – Thankfulness. Thank God for His love, grace, mercy and provisions.

S – Supplication – Make your request known to God for whatever you are in need of.

Remember to end prayer in the name of Jesus Christ!

  “Amen” should end every prayer of believers.  Amen is the transliteration of Hebrew word signifying something as certain, sure and valid, truthful and faithful.  It is sometimes translated, “so be it.”

Learn how to pray from Jesus.  Starting from His great “pattern” prayer in Luke 11:1-13;

When you pray, say;

Father hallowed be your name Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation

 The Holy Bible

^“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

Believers must know these basic facts about the Bible:

 “Bible” derives from the Greek term “books” and refers to the Old Testaments.  God’s Holy Scriptures; the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired by God.    It records God’s revelation of Himself to humans.  It has God, the Holy Spirit for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without a mixture of error for its matter.  The Bible above all talks about God and His relationship with the world.  The Bible is a rule or standard of authority for Christians.

The Bible is divided into two parts.  The Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew.   Portions of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel are in Aramaic.  It consists of thirty-nine (39) books.  The New Testament was written in Greek.  It consists of twenty-seven (27) books.  Combined there are sixty-six (66) books.  Combined there are sixty-six (66) books in the entire Bible.

These are the books of the Bible:

OLD TESTAMENT                                                               NEW TESTAMENT

5 Books of the Law                                                            4 Gospels

Genesis   Exodus                                                                      Matthew   Mark

Leviticus   Numbers                                                               Luke   John

Deuteronomy

12 Books of History                                                          1 Book of History

Joshua   Judges   Ruth   I Samuel                                     Acts

Ii Samuel   I Kings   II Kings

I Chronicles

II Chronicles   Ezra   Nehemiah   Esther

5 Books of Poetry                                                              21 Letters

Job     Psalm                                                                                Romans   I Corinthians   II Corinthians

Proverbs    Ecclesiastes                                                       Galatians   Ephesians

Song of Solomon                                                                     Philippians   Colossians

I Thessalonians   II Thessalonians

I Timothy   II Timothy   Philemon

Hebrews   James   I Peter   II Peter

I John   II John   III John   Jude

17 Books of Prophesy                                                      1 Book of Prophesy

Isaiah   Jeremiah   Lamentations                                     Revelation

Ezekiel   Daniel   Hosea   Joel   Amos

Obadiah   Jonah   Micah   Nahum

Habakkuk   Zephaniah   Haggai

Zechariah   Malachi

The Bible:

• Is life to believers (Deuteronomy 8:3)
• Enlightens believers (Psalm 119:103-105)
• Is knowledge and power to believers (Matthew 22:29)
• Offers comfort to believers (Romans 15:4)
• Tells believers that God loved them first (I John 4:19)
• Contains the commandments of God (Exodus 20)
• Informs believers that God is their Shepherd (Psalm 23)
• Tells believers of the power of faith (Matthew 21:18-22)
• Tells believers of the power of prayer and praise (Acts 16:23-26)
• Tells believers that they are free of sin (Romans 6:3:23)
• Tells believers that Jesus will return (I Thessalonians 4:16)

Listed here are only a few subjects that are revealed in the Bible and they only scratch the surface of what God wants to reveal to His Children through the study of His Word.

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was there in the beginning.  (Genesis 1:26, 11:7, Isaiah 48:16) The Holy Spirit was present with God the Father and Jesus the Son before the beginning.

 All Christians must know these basic facts about:

The Holy Spirit is personal and not impersonal.  (John 16:17, 15:26, 16:7-8) The Spirit is revealed as Him and not it.  The Holy Spirit is the direct agent between heaven and earth in this gospel age.

The Holy Spirit regenerates.  (II Corinthians 3:6, Romans 8:11) The Holy Spirit converts or reforms us, believers, completely.

The Holy Spirit teaches (John 14:26, 16:12-14) When we study the word of God, we must ask for the aide of the Holy Spirit.  He was sent to teach us the information that God desires to make us knowledgeable.

The Holy Spirit guides.  (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:16-18) In order to live successful Christian lives, all Christians must rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  He leads all believers in truth.  He will never lead us in the wrong direction or in ways that are contrary to God.

The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin.  (John 16:5-11) The Holy Spirit is here to show the truth about sin.  It is a destructive force, contrary to God and His will, that if not forgiven, leads to death and eternal damnation.

The Holy Spirit gives inspiration.  (II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:21) The Holy Spirit gives insight and inspiration to all believers.

The Holy Spirit provides comfort. (John 14:16, Acts 9:31) The Holy Spirit comforts believers in times of sorrow and restlessness.  There are times in the life of a believer when the circumstances of life seem unbearable.  God, in His infinite wisdom, has sent the Holy Spirit to comfort believers at such times.

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God.  (John 14:15-26, Acts 2:1-4) God has sent the Holy Spirit to believers as a gift.  God expects His children to accept and make use of all that He provides.

The Holy Spirit is a helper to believers.  (Romans 8:26) God knows that believers cannot survive in this hostile world without someone helping them.  His Holy Spirit helps believers navigate the sometimes-harsh environment of this world.