We were lucky to catch up with Roi Ford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Roi, thanks for joining us today. Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

One particular Sunday, while we were in service a young woman with a baby in a stroller stopped by the Church and asked if we had diapers. The amazing thing was that earlier that week, while I was ordering food for our food pantry, I ran across diapers in the paper goods section of our partner website. I had never ordered diapers before, and haven’t needed to order diapers since. So, now on to the story, when the young mother, who was in her early twenties, pushing a $20 umbrella-style fold-up stroller, asked our Usher “do you have any diapers?” So the usher approached me because she knows I run the food pantry.

So with much delight, I was like Oh yes, we do actually have some diapers. We just got them in. I had ordered a few different sizes, with one that unknowingly fit her beautiful baby. So, I proceeded to grab the diapers and a package of baby wipes.

I brought them to the Usher, who in turn gave them to this very thankful young woman. The Usher returned with this statement from the young woman who had burst into tears because we were able to help her. Her statement, “Thank you so much, because I was about to go out here and turn a few tricks (sell her body for sex) to buy my baby these diapers.”

This incident drives me to help as many people as I encounter. Because you never know the other person’s story.

Roi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Where do I begin? I was born in Northern California and raised in the Bay Area, where my foundation in the Church was established early. Like many, I drifted away in my youth—disillusioned by what felt like hypocrisy and deep church hurt. In the 1990s, I relocated to Las Vegas for business, and it was there that God used a close friend—who is now also my leader—to bring me back into the faith.

Professionally, I earn my living in real estate. I do not live off the Church, nor do we exploit God’s people for financial gain. My return to Christ came in the early 2000s, and I’ve been serving ever since. Becoming a Pastor was never my ambition; in fact, it was a calling I resisted for more than 20 years. I ran from it because I fully understood the responsibility, sacrifice, and integrity required to walk as a true man of God. I don’t seek the spotlight of preaching, but God has given me the ability to do it well.

Over the years, I’ve taught more than 2,700 classes—ranging from the “Spiritual 12-Step Journey” to Anger Management, Forgiveness, and Career Development. I also became a certified drug and alcohol counselor while serving at a rehabilitation center here in Las Vegas.

I share all of this to provide context, transparency, and clarity—especially in today’s climate. Since February 2017, I have overseen our Church Pantry (Care Department) without a salary. Only recently did I begin receiving a $1,000 monthly rental stipend, and even then, only when the Church can afford it. My leader, who also refuses a salary, insisted I accept it because of the time and commitment I give. And just to be even more transparent, the stipend doesn’t cover all of my rent. Just a portion.

With all that said, thank you for the opportunity to share our story at The Balm of Gilead Global Ministries. If you need any additional information, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team is tricky. But managing a team of volunteers is even trickier. So, as the leader and manager of roughly 6-10 volunteers on any given Friday or Saturday, I start with love. You might be saying, “What?” So, I will say it again. I lead with Love. In what respect? In my approach, conversation, and methods.

We run a food pantry that has served over 22,000 people and given out over 2.5 million pounds of food, and we all love what we do and each other. So I use comedy and a soft, gentle approach when dealing with my team. I delegate a lot and empower people to rise above their current station and aspire to more.

But most importantly, I do not ask my team to do more than I am capable of doing myself. I live by example. So, when it’s time to unload 6-10 pallets of food and prepare our space to serve the people, I am unloading those very pallets, getting my hands dirty, and standing on my feet for 7-10 hours like the rest of my team.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Our clientele lives in the community surrounding the Church. So, our most effective strategy for servicing our community has been consistency. Remaining open on our days of operation regardless of how we feel, how tired we are, etc. Because it would be easy not to show up, or close due to the “Weather.” But we don’t do that.

We remain open. We are consistent. We love what we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theboglv.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalmofGileadLV