Is there any way other than begging for support?
How do I raise prayer and financial support?
How much money should a missionary raise and how long does that take?
» more related questionsQ: What perspective should I take towards raising prayer and financial support?
A: Let God grow your faith.
If God has truly called you, ultimately it is His responsibility to provide for you as you follow His leading. He is the Lord of the universe for which there is nothing too difficult (Genesis 18:14). He even calls into existence things which do not as yet exist (Romans 4:17). This is a source of great comfort for us. However, don't forget that sometimes His calendar and pace are not as rapid as we might wish! Abraham had to wait quite a while before he received the promise of his son, Isaac. Remember, for God the issue is not simply money. He will use this experience to develop other characteristics in you, such as faith, patience, sensitivity to others, etc.
Study the following biblical passages: the life of Abraham in Genesis 11:27-25:11, Romans 4, and Hebrews 11. In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul refers to his own "fund raising" experience in every verse. It is a very rich study.
Raising support really is a spiritual issue. Becoming a missionary means expecting God to enable you to communicate a message to people of another culture that will lead them to change their whole worldview. That is an unreal expectation from a human point of view! Only a miracle can accomplish this end. However, we believe in a God of miracles who reached out to us and is changing us day by day, and we believe He can do this in others' lives as well. By the same token, if this God, who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, calls us to serve Him, can He not provide for our needs? David Tucker says this about fund raising: "You are about to embark on what can be one of the most maturing and spiritually fulfilling ventures of your life" (p. 3). As the mission we served under told us, "The provision of your financial resources is God's seal on your call to serve Him with us."
Raising support is a maturing process. "In the process one learns poise, polish, and proficiency and how to use time, tact, and talent to [one's] best advantage" (Bud Taylor cited by Dillon, p. 5).
The process of raising support opens new horizons and contacts. "Missions was and is God's idea, and it is a real privilege to speak to God's people about God's program and to enlist their petitions" (Scott Steele and Tim Frieze cited by Dillon, p. 5).
The great majority of American missionaries today went through the process you have described. However, it is not "just garner support" - it is entering into a partnership with people who will commit themselves to share your vision, opportunities, trials, difficulties, and blessings. As Paul tells the Corinthians, "As you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many" (2 Cor 1:11).
I would encourage you to do a careful study of Philippians 4:10-20 with an eye to examine Paul's relationship with one of his supporting churches. Each verse teaches us something on this subject of financial support.
Study the following biblical passages: the life of Abraham in Genesis 11:27-25:11, Romans 4, and Hebrews 11. In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul refers to his own "fund raising" experience in every verse. It is a very rich study.
Raising support really is a spiritual issue. Becoming a missionary means expecting God to enable you to communicate a message to people of another culture that will lead them to change their whole worldview. That is an unreal expectation from a human point of view! Only a miracle can accomplish this end. However, we believe in a God of miracles who reached out to us and is changing us day by day, and we believe He can do this in others' lives as well. By the same token, if this God, who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, calls us to serve Him, can He not provide for our needs? David Tucker says this about fund raising: "You are about to embark on what can be one of the most maturing and spiritually fulfilling ventures of your life" (p. 3). As the mission we served under told us, "The provision of your financial resources is God's seal on your call to serve Him with us."
Raising support is a maturing process. "In the process one learns poise, polish, and proficiency and how to use time, tact, and talent to [one's] best advantage" (Bud Taylor cited by Dillon, p. 5).
The process of raising support opens new horizons and contacts. "Missions was and is God's idea, and it is a real privilege to speak to God's people about God's program and to enlist their petitions" (Scott Steele and Tim Frieze cited by Dillon, p. 5).
The great majority of American missionaries today went through the process you have described. However, it is not "just garner support" - it is entering into a partnership with people who will commit themselves to share your vision, opportunities, trials, difficulties, and blessings. As Paul tells the Corinthians, "As you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many" (2 Cor 1:11).
I would encourage you to do a careful study of Philippians 4:10-20 with an eye to examine Paul's relationship with one of his supporting churches. Each verse teaches us something on this subject of financial support.
A: Invite others to join God in what He is doing.
If you are afraid of support raising, get over it! Unless you are independently wealthy, you'll have to do it.
As for how to get over any specific fear, you probably already know the right things to do: pray, talk to folks who have already beat it, confess out loud relevant scripture, read all the books you can find, and jump in and start!
Fund raising is still my least favorite and the hardest part of being a missionary, but I no longer dread it as I once did. I have changed my attitude from "I'm asking for money" to, "I'm telling people about what God is doing (or wants to do) and giving them a chance to be part of it."
I also regard every fund raising contact as a missionary recruiting contact. As Keith Green said, you need a specific reason to stay home, not a specific call to go to the mission field, so we are fully justified in challenging our friends to consider the possibility that God is also calling them to do what He's called us to do.
As for how to get over any specific fear, you probably already know the right things to do: pray, talk to folks who have already beat it, confess out loud relevant scripture, read all the books you can find, and jump in and start!
Fund raising is still my least favorite and the hardest part of being a missionary, but I no longer dread it as I once did. I have changed my attitude from "I'm asking for money" to, "I'm telling people about what God is doing (or wants to do) and giving them a chance to be part of it."
I also regard every fund raising contact as a missionary recruiting contact. As Keith Green said, you need a specific reason to stay home, not a specific call to go to the mission field, so we are fully justified in challenging our friends to consider the possibility that God is also calling them to do what He's called us to do.
A: Look for divine appointments.
God did not give us a spirit of fear! (2 Tim 1.7) Think about it. If God has called you, then who would like you to be afraid of "doing what it takes" so that you don't respond? Answer: The Enemy! Resist the temptation to allow support raising to be a fearful experience or an obstacle that keeps you from the field where God has called you to minister.
Support raising means simply sharing with others the exciting vision that God has given you! When people hear your heart (and God's call) as you share, they will get involved. Usually it will be from sources that you did not expect. Support raising is an exciting faith walk with God!
As you meet people and share your vision, listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This takes some practice and you may make some mistakes at first. Follow the peace of Christ in the decisions that you make. When you meet a pastor, missions committee or individual, know that the Holy Spirit will guide you in what to say and do. If you don't have "peace," then move on and don't dwell on it. But if you sense the peace of the Lord, then you can be confident that God is at work making a "Divine Connection" to your support team!
Support raising means simply sharing with others the exciting vision that God has given you! When people hear your heart (and God's call) as you share, they will get involved. Usually it will be from sources that you did not expect. Support raising is an exciting faith walk with God!
As you meet people and share your vision, listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This takes some practice and you may make some mistakes at first. Follow the peace of Christ in the decisions that you make. When you meet a pastor, missions committee or individual, know that the Holy Spirit will guide you in what to say and do. If you don't have "peace," then move on and don't dwell on it. But if you sense the peace of the Lord, then you can be confident that God is at work making a "Divine Connection" to your support team!
A: Avoid sales pressure as well as presumption.
My experience over the last decade as a faith-supported missionary is that I've had lots of fears and confusion regarding financial support, but it all boils down to these two questions. When I am answering yes to both of them, everything is OK. When I'm not answering yes, I consistently run into problems.
Do I trust that God will really take care of me and not "hang me out to dry?"
Am I asking God for provision each day ("Give us this day our daily bread") and accepting each day's provision with heartfelt thankfulness?
Getting support-raising training is good, too. Orientation to Scriptural teaching on the subject is crucial as well as learning from the experiences of others. Training is important since missionaries all too easily fall to one extreme or the other -- humanistic sales strategy or presumptuous faith.
Getting support-raising training is good, too. Orientation to Scriptural teaching on the subject is crucial as well as learning from the experiences of others. Training is important since missionaries all too easily fall to one extreme or the other -- humanistic sales strategy or presumptuous faith.
A: Trust God.
When I had planned on going short-term, I estimated what I would need per month to stay for about eight months. As I had been putting money away in my savings account, I thought I had enough money for this short-term trip. So when people asked me about the finances I would need, I told them my savings covered the trip. However, at the last moment, I had several unexpected expenses including new eyeglasses. When I arrived in Equatorial Guinea, I found that my expenses were higher than I had expected. I quickly realized that I only had enough funds to last about four months. I also realized that I needed to extend my time in Equatorial Guinea for an additional seven months in order to accomplish the work I came to do.
What did I do? I didn't feel that it was right to write back to my friends and family and explain that now I didn't have enough funds. So I began to pray about the situation. God answered in a marvelous way. He put a burden on a few different friends to send me support even though they were not aware that I needed it. I finished the fifteen months in EG and was never lacking in finances. Praise to His name!!
What did I do? I didn't feel that it was right to write back to my friends and family and explain that now I didn't have enough funds. So I began to pray about the situation. God answered in a marvelous way. He put a burden on a few different friends to send me support even though they were not aware that I needed it. I finished the fifteen months in EG and was never lacking in finances. Praise to His name!!
A: Let God cleanse your heart.
One who is going to face the rigors of field living must have a strong, God-given assurance that this is His will for him. Without launching into an essay on "Knowing God's Will," it is critical that the one who goes is following the guidance of Colossians 3: The WORD OF GOD dwelling richly in your heart; The PEACE OF CHRIST ruling decisively in all issues; and whatever you do, you do it as UNTO THE LORD.
It must be a conviction as strong as David's when he faced the stoning of his men when they returned to Ziklag: "But David encouraged himself in the Lord." (I Sam 30) Further, this heart motivation must have the confidence of Philippians 1:6: "He Who has begun a good work in your will be faithful to complete it!"
People are not giving money to you. As you are giving of your life to the work of the Lord, people are giving of their finances to Him.
It is a privilege to be about the Father's business. (Read the story of Esther.)
Living a lifestyle as close as possible to those among whom you will minister. "The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us!" He didn't go looking for a five-star hotel! Jesus then said, "As the Father sent Me, so I send you." (Read Philippians 2 to understand how He was sent.)
There must be a 100% commitment of personal resources. It's all yours, Lord! Not "sell all and give to the poor," but be a faithful steward of what has been entrusted to you.
God owns all, yet He is the most frugal economist. He wastes nothing! It is not a matter of "tighten your belt!" It is a matter of strategic spending of resources.
It must be a conviction as strong as David's when he faced the stoning of his men when they returned to Ziklag: "But David encouraged himself in the Lord." (I Sam 30) Further, this heart motivation must have the confidence of Philippians 1:6: "He Who has begun a good work in your will be faithful to complete it!"
