Missionaries and Money, Part 1 – Churches raising money for missionaries

You know, missionaries hate asking for money. 

It used to be that mission agencies took responsibility for raising funds to send missionaries overseas, but eventually they discovered that the missionaries themselves were far more effective in fund raising, and so now funding the mission is the responsibility of the missionaries.  According to one report, the average missionary spends 10-40% of his time raising support.  I was shocked by that figure because I don’t spend nearly that much time seeking financial partners.  In fact, since I first raised support in 1991 I have always had generous and committed friends, family and churches that have been a part of my ministry.  During my Home Ministry Assignments (what used to be called furlough), I have never had to raise more support.  God always seemed to take care of it for me.  But since 1991 I’ve noticed some interesting changes in giving trends, which I’ll explain in some future posts.

God has been faithful to provide the money for me to continue in ministry, and now he is providing the money for the Cyprus team to grow to include two more families – the Hertzogs who are arriving this week and the Hawkins who are scheduled to come in the fall.

Just a month ago the Hertogs were still in need of about $1,000 per month before they could come to Cyprus.  During one of my weekly conversations I mentioned this to Steve Collis, the Dean of the Anglican Cathedral in Nicosia.  Over the past six years there has been a growing partnership between the Missionary Church and the Anglican Church in Cyprus, and Steve felt that the partnership could go even further.  To make a long story short, the Anglicans agreed to make up the deficit in the Hertzogs support for the next 18 months from church reserves.  They didn’t do this simply because of what the Missionary Church is doing in Nicosia, but because we are all doing it together.  It is a real partnership grounded in a common faith, common love for Christ, and common heart for the city where we live.  It’s a partnership that transcends denominations, cultures, and national boundaries.  I believe it’s a partnership that’s particular pleasing to the heart of God.

But it doesn’t end there.  They are also forming a committee to try to raise funds for the Hertzogs so that the financial support can continue beyond 18 months!  What amazes me as that they are setting up the committee to raise funds.  The Hertzogs don’t have to do this.

Imagine if Missionary Churches set up missions committees that didn’t simply evaluate the financial requests of missionaries, but that raised the funds for the missionaries from people in the church.  Imagine churches that viewed financial resources as a means to send people into the world rather than as resources to attract people to the church.  But more about that later.

I thank God for all those who have been a part of my ministry through giving financially.  Over the years, this has resulted lives being changed and communities being formed in Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus and now – through partnerships with the Anglican Church, Nicosia International Church, and the Keystone Project – literally around the world.  God is blessing the faith of those who give.