The One Step Ministry Sandbox

How We Serve Single Parents

In serving single parents One Step has standardized guidelines to empower our volunteers, we call it a sandbox and it is described in TJ Addington’s book Leading from the Sandbox. As a child plays in a sandbox they experience creativity and fun while they follow rules; don’t throw or eat sand, don’t knock down others castles, and so on. This allows them to play in a sandbox anywhere in the world, because the rules are universal.

The One Step sandbox allows leaders and volunteer’s freedom to use their gifts as they lead and empower people with clearly defined boundaries that are centered on our ministry philosophy. The sandbox is intended to provide clarity and alignment for ministry direction and decision-making within the organization.

What is the Sandbox?

A clarifying tool for leaders and recurring volunteers.

What is the goal of the Sandbox?

Everyone to use their gifts and wiring in creative ways for the kingdom of God - but stay in the Sandbox.

Why do we need a Sandbox?

To empower leaders to make decisions within One Step using desired Guiding Principles, Culture, and Focus to accomplish our mission.

One Step Mission

What we want to accomplish

One Step Ministry is a Christ centered nonprofit that houses homeless single parent families and equips those at risk, to live fulfilling lives.

Central Ministry Focus

The most important thing we do day in and day out to fulfill our mission

Encourage, Develop, Empower, Duplicate, Release

Preferred Culture

Practices, beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, etc.

Compassionate Accountability

One Step Guiding Principles

Commitments we want volunteers to live by and clarify non­-negotiables

  1. We Are Spirit Driven­ We have habits that enhance spiritual growth and encourage others to deepen their relationship with God. We watch where God is at work and lean in. We believe in looking for the good in others and encouraging spiritual growth. John 16:13
  2. We Are Learning Stewards­ We are called to be good stewards of the material gifts and good shepherds of the people God brings to One Step. We believe in looking for ways to improve what we do, thinking out of the box, learning from our failures and our successes. Luke 12:42
  3. We Develop And Empower­ We believe in the power of teamwork. Therefore, we believe in training up people to take our place or duplicating what we are doing to serve more participants. We believe that God strengthens and/or heals us as we serve others. Ephesians 4:11-­13
  4. We Believe in Partnerships­ We believe that everyone has gifts and is useful in God's kingdom. We believe in partnering with organizations to better serve our participants. We don’t believe in reinventing the wheel or partnering with those in opposition to our biblical beliefs. 2 Corinthians 6:14
  5. We Bring Glory to God We believe in sharing the gospel and offering spiritual growth opportunities. We believe we are the hands and feet of God to the poor and needy of our community and that pleases God. We believe in a hand up not a hand out. Matthew 5:16
  6. We Value Timely Clear Communication­ We try to respond to all texts, emails and phone calls within 24 hours, except on Sundays. We have a three eyes rule for all group emails, this does not include emails to leaders of groups ie. Newsletters, Book Club, Boys mentoring, Girls Mentoring etc... It is our hope that as three sets of eyes view mass emails before they are sent we can be assured of clearly communicating the correct facts.