The 2013 strategic plan outlines goals and themes to guide A Lighted Path (ALP) in its mission work in Malawi, Africa. The plan's goal is to define objectives to achieve meaningful impact through organization, fundraising, promotion, and programs. Key objectives include raising $150,000, promoting ALP through churches and social media, supporting missionaries, continuing outreach in Mfura village, establishing a community center and daily programs, and finalizing plans for an orphanage. The theme of "stepping stones" represents working together through different roles to spread God's word and make impact in Malawi. The conclusion is a call to courageously follow God's calling and join in ALP's work in 2013.

1. a lighted path
2013 STRATEGIC PLAN
Stepping Stones

2. 2013 Strategic Plan
• Message from the President
• Mission, vision, values: who we are
• 2013 Strategic Plan overview
• Goal
• Themes
• Mapping our way to a successful future
• Making an impact
• Strategic Theme: stepping stones
• Growth targets: Balanced & purposeful management
• Conclusion

3. Message From the President
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2012 was certainly an exciting year of new beginnings. Praise God that even as we began to develop
organizationally, our first mission team successfully impacted the people of Mfura village in Malawi, Africa.
As I reflect on 2012, I think about all that was accomplished but mostly about the lives that were impacted. I
am thrilled to know the mission team brought more with them to the village than the food; they brought
Jesus. I am reminded of Jesus‟ message to the Samaritan women at the well:
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the
water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water
welling up to eternal life.”
John 4.13-14
It‟s also incredibly thrilling to continually hear from Lisa & Cashion about the impact they are making with
the people they see every single day. As their family grows, may God continually shower them with ever
increasing Grace and Blessings!!
Let God‟s message of Living Water be ever on our hearts as we move forward and all that we accomplish in
2013. It is my prayer that we approach everyday asking God “How will you use me, and who will reach
through me today Lord?”. May we be every ready to spread the good news that “God so loved the world
that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3.16.
May we focus on living in God‟s will in 2013, and may He make an impact through us.
In His grip,
Matt Carlson
ALP President

4. Mission, Vision, Values: who we are
A little over one year ago, a small group of people felt God‟s calling to Malawi,
Africa. They traveled to Malawi on a mission trip, and God forever changed their
hearts for the people of Malawi. We are here today because they were faithful and
listened. One of those people, Lisa, was moved to sell her belongings and make
Malawi her home. God blessed her by providing a husband, Cashion, who has a heart
for helping others in God‟s name. They also recently welcomed a new baby girl,
Zahara – Congratulations!. They are going to raise a family in Malawi while organizing
ALP Malawi activities.
We are A Lighted Path, a non-profit organization created as a result of God‟s calling
for us to minister to the people of Malawi.

5. Mission
Our mission is to minister to the needs of the people of Malawi in the name of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ
Vision
Our Vision: To bring a hope and a future to the people of Malawi, Africa
Values
• Discipleship: Accept and spread the good news of Jesus Christ
• Witness: by our words and actions we prove and testify Christ is our Lord & Savior, and
sharing His word and Gospel.
• Stewardship: Behaving responsibly and making the most of God‟s blessings
• Respect: Value and respect each other, partners, & those we serve
• Integrity: Do the right things for the right reasons
• Open Communication: Effectively exchange ideas and information
• Empowerment: Enable each other to take action
• Continuous Improvement: Strive to continuously improve what we do and the impact
we make.

6. 2013 STRATEGIC PLAN
• Goal: To set organizational objectives for 2013 and define the
foundation and strategy for how we can achieve those objectives.
• There are several facets or themes that define ALP as an
organization. By defining the themes and assigning objectives for
each theme we can map our overall strategy for 2013. The themes
may be viewed and focused on individually, but they must be
interlinked and we must not lose sight of our overall mission and
vision in order to make a meaningful impact in 2013.
• Themes & Objectives:
• Organization
• We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
• We have open board of director positions

7. 2013 STRATEGIC PLAN
• Themes & Objectives:
• Fundraising
• Sustainable growth and expansion. Target goal $150,000
• Promote
• Spread the word and network! Present at Church‟s and
events, start a grass roots movement by promoting ALP in
person and also utilizing all facets of social media.
Relationships matter!

8. 2013 STRATEGIC PLAN
• Themes & Objectives (cont.):
• Programs – Brief overview
• Short term missions
• Partnerships – Cultivate community and partner when needed to accomplish impact. Connections
matter!
• ALP Malawi
• Missionary support – we have missionaries on the ground now, and we also have missionaries
who are ready to travel, we just need to raise the support to send them!!
• Outreach ministry
• Mfura village ministry
• Continue to minister to the spiritual needs
• Humanitarian aid - Food & water
• Establish a clean water source – water well
• Inner-city outreach ministry
• Obtain a „community center‟ type space
• Daily programs to provide kids & adults a safe haven founded in Christian centered
education and activities including bible studies and mentoring.
• Orphanage ministry
• Finalize land boundaries - survey
• Organize and complete orphanage design plans

9. Mapping our way to a successful future
Strategic Theme:
Impact
• stepping stones
– we are all at different places on
our own faith walk personally. God
has brought us all together to work
hand in hand as a lighted path to
Programs
spread His good news. Stepping
stones is the theme for 2013, it‟s
how we will continue to work
Promote
towards making a meaningful
IMPACT while working together; we Fundraise
must all work together personally,
and all facets of the organization
must work together as well. Each of Organization
the 2013 themes is a step along our
path to IMPACT in 2013. May God
direct us to His plan in 2013, and
Light our Paths!!

10. Conclusion: Call to action
This isn‟t a conclusion…it‟s the beginning of a year filled with incredible opportunity
and challenges. This is a call to stand up and take action in 2013. A little over one
year ago, a small group of people felt God‟s calling to Malawi. They listened. By
God‟s grace we will faithfully listen to God‟s calling and have the courage to act as
He has told us.
James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
May we have the courage to step out in faith for God as He has instructed us and is
calling us to do. I encourage you to search your own heart and prayerfully consider
joining us in 2013. Are you ready to act?
We have a lot of work to accomplish in 2013 – I can‟t wait
Let‟s get started!