Our Story
Chapter I.
The Seedbox Story
We had it all
We were living a healthy life to include family, grand children, close friends, salary with healthy bonuses, job security, debt free, working in a senior level executive position with a Top 100 Food company. We also were building two independent businesses and enjoying the fruit of our labor in peace….life was good!
And then life’s journey as we knew it came to a devastating halt with no warning….trauma enters in.
Critical Grief & Severe Depression Falls
What unexpectedly followed during an eight month period in 2020/21 was 10 family and intimate friends passed away primarily due to Covid as well as other health issues. The compressed time period only exacerbated the unbearable grief, void, hurt, anger and personal fall into critical grief and severe depression.
It was a time when severe pain drives one to contemplate life or death.
Transformation in the Darkness
Spiraling into darkness had severe consequences and triggered the onslaught of doctors, therapists, hospitals and narcotic prescriptions. All I wanted to do was isolate myself, disconnect from the world, sleep and stare out the window into space with no thoughts.
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I was a man in the deep sea, in a small boat with no rudders and it was pitch dark. Not even the moon gave light. Then abandonment set in.
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But God came to my spirit and whispered “You are not alone. Your assignment is not over!”
And God said, “Let there be light!”
As the light of truth, promise and victory became real again in my life, I committed myself to complete recovery and slowly but surely entered into a transitional phase of acceptance, restoration and a new outlook in life and triumph!
Then the calling on our lives to the nations became real. Change was imminent.
The Birth - Taking flight into Purpose & Destiny
I am a Southern Baptist minister son and I have lived the life in a pastoral family and church life with all its experiences. I know too well what my parents endured, sacrificed and dedicated for the sake of Christ. I also acknowledge that pastoral care was not emphasized nor a priority.
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While Mayra and I traveled to the nations on short-term mission trips, or for personal reasons, we have found how churches are closing their doors at alarming rates and Pastors and their families are deciding to walk away completely from the ministry due to economic hardships and the inability to self-sustain. In my spirit and in my heart this called for a committed advocate to create a holistic solution to close the gap in ministry work. It was then that Seedbox Global Ministries was birthed into existence. It was to expand the kingdom of God through the building up of the local Christian church by unlocking new passive revenue stream models, to allow for the creation of new avenues of evangelism and discipleship platforms, while establishing a long term self-sustaining financial model for the church and its Pastor.
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The seedbox was the picture God used to show the perpetual seeds He would place in our hands to invest into God’s kingdom on a global platform. Our responsibility would be to cultivate these seeds through their germination to sprouting process until planting. The name truly encompasses our Seedbox Global Ministries vision, mission and purpose.
We have literally built this organization from the ground up for the expansion of God’s kingdom and His glory!
The “Missional Marriage” enters
We have found that the beauty of this calling was for both my wife and I. God could not have orchestrated nor authored this so perfectly. We are convinced that we must embrace the calling given to “Priscilla and Aquila” (ministers of the gospel as recorded in Acts 18) as a model for our future. We believe that its God’s will and sovereignty over our lives that we minister together, as one, and allow the Spirit of God to lead us as He has ordained. I flowing in my anointing, gifting and passion in Christian ministry and business. My wife Mayra doing the same in teaching, education and hospitality.
We are securely ON MISSION
We have come to a sobering conclusion that obedience and availability are all God needs from us. While not having any funding nor experience in the non-profit world, unemployed for the last 2 years and 7 years from retirement yet willing to join God, even at this stage in our lives, to work for the saving of many lives for His kingdom – we’re ON MISSION!
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We know, trust and believe “if its God’s will, it’s His bill!” – so we stepped out of the boat in faith and are now feeling the waves under our feet as we experience God’s journey for our lives!
Chapter II.
Kingdom Legacy Influence
Rev. Enrique A. & Mercedes Cepeda*
A lasting legacy, one that continues for eternity, is set in stone. Written on our hearts, and the hearts of our loved ones, belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God and Savior of the world is the legacy that lasts.
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Today legacy means so much because of the decisions my parents, Rev. Enrique A. and Mercedes Cepeda, made in their lifetime. Our family enjoys the favor of God, abundance, higher revelation, spirit of ministry and service because of the courage, trust and faith they embraced in a redeeming and sovereign Savior. They taught me to be a “builder” for God’s kingdom. It is with great care, presence, intention, strength and endurance that I endeavor to raise that bar for generations to come.
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In a proud and deliberate voice I can say – I believe in the God of my father.
Chapter III.
Kingdom Sower Influence
Rev. Dr. Dwight McKissic
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16
For 10 years Pastor McKissic was my pastor who I came to know, love, appreciate and closely walk with as our family immersed itself into a spirit led gospel ministry within a predominantly African American culture. We were proud members of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.
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Most importantly was my time serving as a pastoral assistant (aka Armor Bearer) that I was able to see, hear, experience and value his radical generosity at Cornerstone or wherever we traveled. It was a genuine display of being a “seedbox” that was readily prepared to sow a seed as the spirit of God led. His example and actions simply reinforced that God owns it all and giving is the evidence of our obedience to God that leads to an over-abundance of love, peace, health, joy and prosperity.
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Pastor McKissic is an inspiration, kingdom minded giant and radical sower for God’s kingdom!
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Reverend William Dwight McKissic, Sr. is founder and Senior Pastor of the
Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.
Chapter IV.
Kingdom Honor Influence
Ronaldo Rios, Rolando Rios, Harry Marin
These men were my true and faithful brothers – no one closer. With over 20 years of close deep friendship together – they literally changed my life to be better in all sense of the word. Their uniqueness was their character and their gifting their harmony. True servants of God, deeply faithful, dedicated to impacting lives in an eternal manner by using the most powerful tool in their spiritual arsenal – LOVE! They raised the bar for me and challenged me in their own way to focus on the eternal. Seedbox Global Ministries has their fingerprints in its inception, birth and perpetual life of the organization. They will forever live in our hearts and our voice will give honor for the example they left to this world.
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The granting of honor to others is an essential experience in the believers’ life. Christians are to bestow honor on those for whom honor is due. The believer is to honor God, for He is the sovereign head of the universe and His character is unsurpassed.
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Gone but never forgotten – I will love one and all forever.
Chapter V.
The Word Influence - Together as ONE and NEVER alone!
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. “ 1 Corinthians 12:12 KJV.
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“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” 1 Peter 3:8 KJV.
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“And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 KJV.
*Rev. Enrique & Mercedes Cepeda were faithful, obedient, committed and steadfast believers in God’s word. They received and accepted the highest calling to be ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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In August 1967 they received their calling to the ministry and soon relocated from Ecuador to New York. In 1970/71 graduated from San Antonio Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, attended Howard Payne University and graduated from Garden State University.
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In Jan. 1972 planted a Baptist Church in Spanish Harlem, NYC. Subsequently planted churches in Jamaica, Yonkers, Manhattan and Queens. In 1982 relocated to Henderson, Texas to plant a new church – First Baptist Hispanic Church Henderson. In 1985 relocated to Fort Worth, Texas to pastor Iglesia Bautista La Loma.
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They became Unites States citizens to expand their dreams for themselves and the generations to come. They have since received their ultimate call and graduated to heaven. We can only imagine their enjoyment in receiving their crown in glory. Their banner verse was 1 Cor. 15:58.
Our Vision (What we seek to accomplish)
To build up the local Christian church to accelerate the evangelism and discipleship
of new believers for the expansion of God’s Kingdom.
Our Mission (What we do)
Seedbox Global Ministries exist to create passive revenue projects for financial sustainability.
Our Purpose (Why we do what we do)
The purpose of Seedbox Global Ministries is to Equip. Enable. Enhance. Establish. Seedbox Global Ministries is committed
to train churches in creating new passive revenue projects to include economic modeling, investment, enhance the creation of new evangelism and discipleship platforms and ultimately establish a long term self-sustaining financial model
for the church and its Pastor.
2011-2014
Degree
University Name
Briefly describe your degree and any other highlights about your studies you want to share. Be sure to include relevant skills you gained, accomplishments you achieved or milestones you reached during your education.
2007-2010
Degree
University Name
Briefly describe your degree and any other highlights about your studies you want to share. Be sure to include relevant skills you gained, accomplishments you achieved or milestones you reached during your education.
Why We Exist
The REALITY - “Old” Church Model (Institutional)
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The “old” Church model has not evolved to facilitate meaningful change and ensure long term self-sustainability for the local church and its pastor. The statistics on a global basis reflect the current state of the ministry work still to be realized.
WORLDWIDE
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Total People Groups: 17,432
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UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
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Less than 2% Evangelical Christian
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Total Unreached People Groups: 7,402
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Total Population of Unreached People Groups: 3.28 Billion people
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Total % of world: Unreached People Groups make up 42.5% of world population
UNEVANGELIZED PEOPLES
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Greater than 2% Evangelical Christian but still great numbers of unsaved
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Total Unevangelized People Groups: 2,960
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Total Population: 819 Million
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Total % of world: Unevangelized make up 10.5% of world population
REACHED PEOPLES
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Greater than 2% Evangelical Christian or majority Christian population
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Total Reached People Groups: 7,070
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Total Population: 3.74 Billion
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Total % of world: Reached population makes up 47.7% of world population
The reality has proven that we must promote and accelerate change within the Church model to make a greater impact that expands the kingdom of God.
“Church planting is slowing, and the number of closures is growing,” said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. “Yet, the opportunity is still before us.”
The OPPORTUNITY – Relevant Approach
But another approach is possible. Instead of focusing on solving the un-manageable problem of why churches are closing, forward-thinking leaders are learning from models that are thriving.
Models that are thriving today and in the future will have certain things in common, such as a commitment to making disciples of targeted unreached people groups, a deep knowledge of the changing cultural landscape that exists outside of Christian enclaves, and a capacity to grow and multiply without the traditional funding sources that churches have traditionally relied on. With the goal of eliminating financial dependency from outside sources.
The SOLUTION - The “enhanced” Church Model (Non-Institutional)
The “enhanced” Church Model requires an open-ended, adaptable and replicable approach that provides the local evangelical church and its pastor an opportunity to develop new ministry tools based on their specific vision, goals, opportunities and self-sustainable resources.
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Seedbox Global Ministries exists to create a holistic entrepreneur business related solution using financial seeds to support the local church and its pastor. Birthed to be a strategic surgical financial scalpel for kingdom investment and expansion as part of an enhanced church model.
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We believe this solution will naturally provide new levels of platforms for Evangelism and Discipleship programs that will ultimately result in the planting of new churches within the unreached groups in their surrounding communities.
We are intentional about Kingdom of God purpose, investment and impact on people and nations. Simply focused on the holistic transformation and the multiple bottom lines of spiritual, economic, social and environmental outcomes.
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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21, NIV).
Why? (Why we are unique)
Kingdom Value Proposition
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We operate under a kingdom mentality allowing the freedom of the Holy Spirit to guide us in an intentional and deliberate manner.
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We steadfastly operate in spiritual freedom and maturity through prayer, fasting, discernment and the application of kingdom principles.
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We plan, process, create, build and execute with the fundamental purpose of kingdom expansion through the saving of lives for Jesus Christ!
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We specialize (staying securely within our core competency) in creating long term self-sustaining financial models for churches and pastors.
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We ensure every custom financial model impacts evangelism, discipleship and new revenue streams to drive opportunities for the planting of new evangelical churches.
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We ensure the financial models are replicable, innovative and facilitate new enhanced projects accelerating what God is doing in their midst.
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We provide an alternative financial strategy for churches who require an enhancement model to their Global Missions partners program.
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We are nimble and diligent in our execution minimizing bureaucracy to capture maximum results and kingdom impact.
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We provide high focus and adherence to accounting principles which include internal controls and measures to consistently deliver financial integrity, mutual accountability and expected results.
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We operate with a spirit of excellence to ensure proper “due diligence” within the operating process and ministry deliverables.
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We ensure the local church and its pastor are properly challenged, trained, equipped, enabled, established and held accountable with the proper tools to drive self-sustaining economics.
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We purposely focus on reducing and ultimately eliminating a high level of external economic dependency for our church partners.
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The S.G.M. kingdom value proposition allows for all involved to sow seed into the expansion of God’s kingdom through collective or individual anointing, gifting, influence, skill set, experience and radical generosity!