1 person found this review helpful
ACTIVATED MINISTRIES
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November 2, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I've had some good friends who have worked at Activated Ministries over the years and I have participated in some of their volunteer programs from time to time. I have gotten their monthly newsletters and have even stopped in to say hello when in town on business. Based on my observations of their daily operations and conversations I have had with staff and management, I have a fairly good knowledge of what they do, how they are set up and the way they operate, I have been very impressed with their level of professionalism and dedication to their mission. If you want to know more about the organization, sign up for their monthly newsletters or check them out online at www.activatedministries.org, or Guidestar to see their financial information. I am giving them 4 stars because no organization is perfect, but all in all, I recommend this organization as one of the better ones out there.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Quite well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
November 1, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
At Christmas time, our project that helps make Christmas special for kids who otherwise wouldn't be able to get a gift or enjoy a nice Christmas meal. For many years Activated Ministries has helped our project with donated toys, food, clothing, backpacks and school supplies. To these children, Activated Ministries is a true Christmas Angel!
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
November 1, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I work with a homeless shelter in Southern California, and Activated Ministries has worked with us to help provide needed shoes and clothing for the clients we serve. Everyone I have met at Activated Ministries is a wonderful person who has devoted their lives to helping others. They are genuine Christians who live their lives by the Golden Rule, and who follow Jesus as what they "do unto the least of these" they have truly "done it unto Him"!
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
October 30, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I advise individuals to stay away from this organization. Activated Ministries is part of the infamous religious sect ‘The Children of God’, nowadays under ‘The Family’ or ‘TFI’ . They ‘use’ these legal frames to acquire ‘provisioned goods’ which they use for their own members as part of their gypsy life style. Their contribution to society is flimsy, if relevant, only living for the present and with low or not concern for the issues of society at large. Few members remain in some city centers of most emerging countries, -it is easier to get donations channeled there- but they high style of living certainly does not go with their hypocritical missionary white-wash. Two people are responsible, Karen Zerby and Steven D. Kelly, which have used their dictatorial and theocratic regime for a long time to entice people to pay their tithe, to them, -by the way, they have changed names again, meet Katherine Rianna Smith and Christopher Smith- trying to live again a secret life.
I’d like to caution organizations, communities and legal institutions to put in place roadblocks to this type of deceitfulness and invest instead in local communities and in decent charities with four starts. Charity Navigator should investigate claims. Much information available is with anti-sect groups and internet. You could find the truth about ‘Activated Ministries’ here in this page. http://www.exfamily.org/the-family/3.0.history-of-the-family.shtml
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
None
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
September 11, 2012
Having worked as an educator and special humanitarian project supervisor overseas, in Africa and Europe, I was looking for a scholarship to help my son be able to continue his College education and obtain his degree in writing and filmmaking. We applied for the Activated Ministries scholarship last semester, during a particularly difficult time and IROS came through, meeting even above our expectations. We are impressed with their friendly and professional manner, organization and courtesy. We can't say enough good about AM.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
3 people found this review helpful
August 1, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
I am working in Thailand and have heard of Activated Ministries through another NGO.
I contacted them and applied for some funding of some projects which I do with some others in remote areas in Thailand. I found Activated Ministries certainly has proven to be a very efficient and capable Charity, which has helped jumpstart projects in helping those less fortunate in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Our team has worked to help schools in the northern region of Thailand for the past six years. Over the years we have been able to distribute sponsored educational materials, clothes, toys, and also meet more specific needs presented by schools - from books, teaching computer maintenance to water filtration systems. We have received countless heartfelt responses, and I would like to personally thank Activated Ministries for the enormous part they play in making our work possible. In the many projects we organize to help children throughout Thailand, having Activated Ministries as our partner gives us the confidence that each project will be a success because we know we have amazing products to give that have the ability to change lives. Caring is more than just experiencing a heartfelt emotion. Unless it is followed up with loving action, it's meaningless. I feel it is so important to leave these children and parents with something that carries a message of hope and happiness. At the end of the day, after all is said and done, the reality that cannot be refuted is the fact that those children certainly have cherished the support Activated Ministries has extended, and have given them hope that someone cares. It’s what we do that counts. I know people who are big talkers but never take action. On the other hand I know people who don’t say much at all but just get things done, like Activated Ministries.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
July 31, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
My name is Jose Balcells, and I am president of EsFuturo NGO. Just two months ago Activated Ministries sponsored a donation of 576 "Discovering the truth" Bible study help books and 320 "Freedom Within" devotional books that were distributed to the libreries of every prison and many rehabilitation centers in Spain. Those books are a real help to many people in need of counsel and guidance, and AM made it possible by covering the costs. Working with AM has been a pleasure, as they made it very easy for us to do good. In the name of all those who are benefiting from those books I thank AM and acknowledge publicly their efforts to improve the life of many who are in need.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
July 30, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have been involved in mission work for many years on the Indian subcontinent, and Activated Ministries has provided funding for a number of tremendous projects that are impacting the lives of young people and children.
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More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
2 people found this review helpful
July 29, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
AM is a spinoff of or front for the high demand religious group / cult The Children of God / The Family International. As such, any support offered them directly or indirectly helps the COG. Tom Hack is /was a longtime leader of the COG/ TFI. He has never distanced himself from the group or it's abusive beliefs and practices. Donors should be aware of this connection and proceed accordingly. A quick google of the COG TFI will give anyone interested plenty of background information.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2001
1 person found this review helpful
July 27, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
When someone has been hurt or offended somehow, I think the person or the organization should take the initiative and respond accordingly. Instead, they have communicated with some of their beneficiaries in order to get positive feedback. Very insidious, it is a complete whitewash cover up and shows that this organization has a very low social responsibility level.
The truth is that Activated Ministries and their recipients abroad are all members of the ‘Children of God’, a.k.a ‘The Family International, TFI. The group has lost most of its people as well as its initial thrust as a religious movement, today being no more than a couple thousand members. All that was due to several failing restructuring moves, power distance with leaders and members and lack of founders’ communication with its people.
Activated Ministries operates as a private company, they collect and distribute some sporadic help to their colleagues in some countries, mostly in kind, books and DVDs. However, the issue at stake is the fact this individuals go around with brochures and newsletters portraying pictures from this irregular events, approaching donors and fundraising for their own expenses, all the while holding a high standard of living and creating a vague and fake ‘missionary life style’.
Lots of the parents from the generation that join the group had several children, and some of them live abroad begging with their brochures and books, or are found into inconsequential ‘peripheral activities’ like clowning, restaurant singing, event management or even belly dancing. Is this the future you want or your kids? Does it seem like the religion you want to help support? Well, as for me and my family, no sir.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
None
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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