So what's the big deal anyway? After all, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet," right? Well, maybe that was true in Shakespeare's time but not anymore. With today's new commercial hybrids, some roses have sacrificed scent for "showiness" and if you're referring to the "stinking rose" (garlic), first of all, it's not a rose and it doesn't smell sweet at all.
The mystery surrounding Erwin McManus' non-profit ventures continues with the latest development that "Awaken", the corporation created in 2005, has had its corporate status suspended by the State of Calfornia.
[See the California Business Portal at http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/list.html. Type in "Awaken" to find the corporation which lists Erwin McManus' publicist, Sealy M. Yates, as the Agent for Service of Process.]Over at Mosaic of Pain, http://mosaicofpain.com/ a debate had been raging over whether this particular "Awaken" is a non-profit or for profit corporation.
A poster using the screen name Gal. 5:15 wrote this on July 16, 2008 3:04 PM :
"Whoever said Awaken is a non-profit, charitable organization Just because it doesn't HAVE any profits doesn't mean it doesn't want to. Now there IS a ministry called Awaken Humanity which is squarely under Mosaic oversight, and is currently run by Janice Sakuma. THAT Awaken is responsible for partnering with various non-profits and service projects around the globe. You can read about it here: (http://www.mosaic.org/awaken-humanity)"
The answer to the "whoever" part of Gal. 5:15's question is . . .
Erwin Raphael McManus!
McManus refered to "Awaken" as a non-profit in a 2006 interview with Infuze Magazine:
"We created Awaken as an organization to focus on unleashing the potential in every human being. We didn't want to be resisted by people saying, "You're a church. You can't come into these institutions. You can't come to these organizations. You're not allowed in this arena." So we created a non-profit organization that focuses on unleashing the creative potential in every human being and we help people without God begin to see how they're uniquely designed. And we're so convinced that if we can help people see that they're created in the image and likeness of God, they will be drawn to relationship with Him."
What about Awaken Humanity?
Mosaic's executive pastor Eric Michael Bryant sent me this conflicting information in an email on April 27, 2007:
"Awaken is a registered 501c3 under the name Awaken Humanity. We just received our paperwork recently. The Secretary of State should be updating their website soon. This summer we are registering for tax exempt status. Currently, Awaken is still a subsidiary of Mosaic until we finish this paperwork."
It's clear from this email that Eric Bryant is referring to Awaken and Awaken Humanity as though they are one and the same. I've already discussed this confusion and more importantly the issue of their tax exempt status in a previous post here at Solid Foods.
[See: A Wake Up Call to Erwin McManus and Awaken: http://solidfoods.blogspot.com/2007/05/wake-up-call-to-erwin-mcmanus-and_05.html]
So Eric Bryant mixed up the names Awaken and Awaken Humanity, what's in a name right? Well, in this case it could mean the difference between apples and oranges.
Consider this quote from Erwin McManus: [Source: Interview entitled: Erwin Raphael McManus (Crave) , written by David Barrios, Monday, 17 March 2008 11:14 - Original link was, http://www.andersonvision.com/index.php?view=article&catid=44%3Ainterviews&id=1048%3Aerwin-raphael-mcmanus-crave&option=com_content&Itemid=60.
This link is now broken. Here is the link for the Google cached page:
8. What was the inspiration of “Awaken” and could you explain to the readers what “Awaken” was? Is that perhaps the first step towards Mosaic?
ERM: No it’s the other way around. Mosaic was first, and Awaken was born out of that rich community and experience. Really at the core, Awaken is a reflection of my own heart and sense of stewardship for humanity. I wanted to be able to reach outside of the parameters of the church and serve the broader human community without the obstacle of religion. Simply put, we wanted to help people whether they believed what we believe or not.
In the case of "Awaken", it certainly seems as though Erwin McManus did not intend it to be a "subsidiary" of Mosaic.
What kind of "rose" is Awaken?
According to Erwin McManus, Awaken is a "non-profit" organization. It's interesting to note though that Awaken holds the copyright to most if not all of McManus' film and DVD productions.
McManus uses a different name for Awaken in this interview with Rich and Tanya Hooper on American Family Radio, AFR 90.5 FM KTXG Dallas/Greenville Texas, http://ktxg.afr.net/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=33
[Go to line 2 of the audio.]
During the interview, Erwin McManus is asked about his new book "Wide Awake" and its companion DVD. McManus says this,
"I have a film company, Awaken Films, and part of our passion is to awaken people to live this heroic life.”
The official Awaken website mentions Awaken Films, http://awaken.org/films along with Awaken Theatrical and Awaken Commercial. There is also a link to Wide Awake Records, http://awaken.org/music. There is no further explanation as to exactly what all these "Awakens" are.
Will the real "Awaken" please stand up?
How is "Awaken" presented to the outside world? For insight into that question, I looked up several individuals associated with "Awaken."
1. Ian Eyre - Film Maker
This is from Ian Eyre's profile at LinkedIn.com, an "online network" for professionals. The profiles are self-written by their owners.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/eyrefilms
Ian Eyre
Producer, Director, Stunt Coordinator
Awaken Films/Mosaic Film Team
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Entertainment industry)
April 2005 — Present (3 years 5 months)
Producer, director and/or stunt coordinator of multiple videos for Mosaic (mosaic.org/films/videos/videos.html).
My comment: Non-profits cannot be "privately held."
2. Samraj Gandhi - Film Producer
Another self-written profile from LinkedIn.com
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/5/006/226
Samraj Gandhi
Samraj Gandhi specializes in creating movies which make meaning for audiences worldwide and money for investors. He is interested in working with talented crew and always looking to keep good company. He is a growing producer focused on providing people, films that elicit emotions. In October 2007 he produced a 16mm Short Film 'Apartment B' with a professional crew of 45 talented members budgeted at $20,000. It was directed by Jimmy Duke. The film is now distributed through Lionsgate, sold at Wal-mart, Target and Barnes & Noble under the title Wide Awake. After that project, he produced Wide Awake starring Erwin McManus. In March 2008 he produced a short film "Babycakes" for a well known film festival in Los Angeles.
Assosiate Producer
Wide Awake - Short Film Series
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)Producer - (Apartment B)
Awaken Films
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)Video Podcast Editor
Mosaic.org
(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Broadcast Media industry)
My comment: Please note that Mr. Gandhi describes Wide Awake and Awaken Films as both "privately held" but describes Mosaic as a "non profit."
James (Jimmy) Duke - Former Vice President of "Awaken" and now its Director.
The following is from a website for "The Least of These", a movie starring Isaiah Washington.
See: The Filmmakers at:
http://www.theleastofthesemovie.com/page296.html
James Duke is an independent filmmaker whose credits include writing, producing and directing numerous short films, documentaries, and theatrical productions. He is the director of Awaken, an independent production company birthed from the community of Mosaic in order to create provocative entertainment and commercial cinema. Awaken's distribution partners include Lionsgate Films, Word Entertainment and the Indelible Creative Group. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Samantha, since 2005.
This is what Jimmy Duke wrote about himself at LinkedIn.com:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/5/3A8/180
Filmmaker Awaken (Non-Profit; Entertainment industry)
My comment: Jimmy Duke is the person who wrote a series of emails to me in 2007 in which he stated that Awaken has its own 501c3 separate from Mosaic. He also said he didn't know what an IRS form 990 was. When I asked to see a copy of the 501c3 determination letter I was told,
"I don’t know if I can do that . . ."
When I informed him that Awaken International and Awaken Center for Creativity were both under a suspended status with the California Business Portal, Mr. Duke wrote back:
I will tell you that after seeing that on your website, I got concerned. Our status might actually be suspended. And I might be partially to blame because I never filed with the state last year when I was in charge. We are actually looking into it ourselves, and hopefully we won’t be “suspended” for long! :)
Eric Bryant - Executive Pastor of Mosaic and current Vice President of "Awaken."
The following can be found on Eric Bryant's blog, http://www.ericbryant.org/2008/06/27/pfp-audio-recording/
PFP Audio Recording
June 27th, 2008 Eric Bryant Posted in General, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas
Appreciate your prayers as I go into the Awaken studios
to record an audio book version of PFP. Thanks!
My comment: Awaken has a studio? Is this the same studio as Wide Awake Records?
Erwin McManus - Founder and President of "Awaken."
Press Pubs.com has this interesting article about a new film project on the true life story of John Turnipseed.
Press Pubs.com, Locals produce film that features Hollywood talent
Jul 30, 2008 - 09:48:11 CDT.
by Kristine GoodrichStaff writer
http://www.presspubs.com/articles/2008/07/30/white_bear_press/news/doc4890736539ef6149387992.txt
The yet-to-be-titled film stars Larry Gilliard Jr. and Clarke Peters, both currently best known for their roles in HBO’s "The Wire." Gilliard plays D'Angelo Barksdale, and Peters plays Detective Lester Freamon. Screenwriter Nathan Scoggins and director Jimmy Duke come through Awaken Films, a Christian based independent production company. Awaken leader Erwin McManus of Los Angeles, who is also an author and speaker, is one of the film’s producers.
MediaBistro.com also mentions this movie in its interview with Erwin McManus:
To access article, go to http://www.mediabistro.com/
Search for Erwin McManus
Article title: Erwin McManus: We Are All in the Creative Class
Posted: Monday, Aug 04 by "Ron"
"Every human being is creative," he reminds me as the wind buffets around his cell phone; the LA-based pastor and motivational leader is calling from Minneapolis, where his production company, Awaken, is shooting a film about John Turnipseed, a former gang leader turned local community activist. His belief in that creative potential is a key principle in Wide Awake, a book that makes the case that "creativity is the natural result of spirituality," a forceful desire to make something better of your life and the world around you. The human spirit is designed for greatness and inspiration, McManus tells me; the key is "finding a dream that matches your life."
Over at Props On Wheels.com, http://propsonwheels.com/credentials1.htm, the movie project above is described as the "John Turnipseed Project, Awaken Production."
This is how Erwin McManus decribes Awaken at his own website http://erwinmcmanus.com/awaken/
As founder of Awaken, Erwin collaborates with a team of dreamers and innovators who specialize in the field of developing and unleashing personal and organizational creativity. Awaken is committed to creating environments that expand imagination and unleash creativity. Convinced that the world is changed by dreamers and visionaries, Awaken serves humanity through its commitment to maximize the creative potential in every individual and organization. Awaken emerges out of the unique ministry of Mosaic and reflects Mosaic’s commitment to creativity, uniqueness, innovation and diversity.
The official Awaken website offers the following description:
Awaken is a collaboration between a team of dreamers and innovators who specialize in the field of developing and unleashing personal and organizational creativity. Awaken is committed to creating environments that expand imagination and unleash creativity. Convinced that the world is changed by dreamers and visionaries, Awaken serves humanity through its commitment to maximize the creative potential in every individual and organization. Awaken emerges out of the unique ministry of Mosaic and reflects Mosaic’s commitment to creativity, uniqueness, innovation and diversity.
For review:
"Awaken" is: A California registered corporation which has had it's corporate status suspended.
"Awaken" has been described as:
*A collaboration with a team of dreamers and innovators
*"His" [referring to Erwin McManus] production company
*A Christian based, independent production company
*A studio
*A non profit, entertainment industry
*"Privately held"
*A "subsidiary" of Mosaic
*". . . outside of the parameters of the church" to "serve the broader human community without the obstacle of religion." (Erwin McManus)
"What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
It may not be important what you call it but most people still expect a rose to smell like a rose.
They don't expect it to smell "fishy."
Yvonne W.
3 comments:
Yvonne,
McManus creates (by his own admission) "non-profit" organizations to give credibility to that particular cause. It isn't that he is out to form an organization which is self sustaining and able to last a lifetime, but he wants immediate recognition for the cause behind the 501c3.
Anonymous,
Erwin McManus doesn't create "non-profit" organizations, he (or people working on his behalf) creates California corporations.
This is a critical distinction.
If all Erwin did was create a "ministry" of Mosaic that addressed a particular need, that would be perfectly legitimate on its own and I'd have no problem with it. I agree with you that there are a lot of causes out there that desperately need more public exposure and would benefit from Mosaic's worldwide influence.
But this isn't what Erwin has done.
Instead, Erwin has actually LESSENED the credibility of these worthy causes by associating them with corporations that have a "questionable," legal standing.
Sloppiness does not inspire donor confidence and the circumstances surrounding all these "Awakens" is certainly sloppy at best.
If Erwin didn't intend "to form an organization which is self sustaining and able to last a lifetime," then why didn't he learn from the mistakes of the first "Awaken" and stop forming corporations?
One corporation with problems is a learning experience. You examine what went wrong and either don't repeat the same mistakes the next time or you make the decision to not try again.
Erwin didn't stop at one problem troubled corporation though. He did it three times.
Now there is a fourth corporation, Awaken Humanity, that is claiming to be "dba" as Awaken.
Why in the world would a corporation in good standing, Awaken Humanity, even WANT to "dba" as another that has had it's corporate status suspended?
None of this makes any sense.
Yvonne W.
Eric Bryant of Mosaic has an interesting post about the John Turnipseed movie:
http://ericbryant.org/2009/04/20/turnipseed/
At Mosaic, this past Sunday we showed a short film created by several of our friends from Mosaic called Turnipseed. It is a powerful story filled with pain but with a glimpse of hope from the real life of Johnny Turnipseed.
If you are anywhere near L.A. or Orange County, you can enjoy Turnipseed at the Newport Beach Film Festival this weekend.-----
I wrote this yet-to-be-moderated response:
-----
Yvonne W. says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
April 21, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Eric,
Are you serious?
“. . . a short film created by several of our FRIENDS from Mosaic?”
There are so many sources on the internet that confirm this film was created by ERWIN MCMANUS and “production company” Awaken!
Here is just one of those sources:
Mediabistro
Erwin McManus: We Are All in the Creative Class
“Every human being is creative,” he reminds me as the wind buffets around his cell phone; the LA-based pastor and motivational leader is calling from Minneapolis, where his production company, Awaken, is shooting a film about John Turnipseed, a former gang leader turned local community activist.---
Eric hasn't posted my comment yet.
Today, I found another source of information on the John Turnipseed movie:
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/afroam/storytelling/2008/10/
Title:
Short Film on John Turnipseed (Founder of local Blood gang, turned life to God and community)
Many gifted local and international film industry professionals came together for this collaborative effort between Five Stone Media, Awaken Films and Urban Ventures.Please check out the picture of the movie poster:
Exec. Producer: Erwin McManus
Director: James Duke
Awaken Films
I guess these have been reduced to just "friends" of Mosaic now.
Yvonne W.
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