Raising Support
1. Pray. God is not lacking
any resources. for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalms 50:10). I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
(Psalms 37:25). Give us today our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11).
2. Prepare yourself well. Be
the kind of person that churches are look for. Do your part to be capable and
well prepared. If you are, you will never be lacking those who are seeking you
out. Dress professionally.
3. Plan out your work and budget carefully. Show
evidence of your having thought things through. Determine the cost and needed
working fund (salary, working fund, one time expenses). Make sure you raise
enough for spiritual renewal—retreats, etc. Research what is already being
done.
4. Package your information in an attractive
format.
Use a cover letter, give Short personal
history
Presentation of the field you have targeted
Summary of planned work, Tentative
time schedule
One page resume
Do not rely exclusively on electronic
formats.
5. Ask churches through networked
relationships (WM p. 195)
Ask someone you know in the congregation to
go to bat for you to present your proposal to the elders or missions committee
or to ask to get you an invitation to come and talk with them.
Begin with all the churches that already know
you.
Go to all the friends you’re going to college
with and ask them to personally make a presentation for you.
If you are wanting
to do apprentice work, ask a great number of individuals who have faith in you
to all give.
Serve actively in the congregation where you
are a member while in college.
What
supporting congregations are looking for
1.
Spiritual Qualities:
Passion
for saving the Lost spiritual
life,
Upholder
of truth, committed to the Word Submissive
and accountable to the elders
lives with integrity, Sacrificial,
2.
Personal Qualities:
Adapts
easily to new and different situations/cultures Self-starter—strong work ethic
Wife
is a helpmate, sociable and wanting to go strong
marriage.
Enthusiastic
and positive relates
well to others,
Well
balanced psychologically and emotionally organized.
people person financially
responsible
3.
Preparation for Missions:
Committed
and capable of learning the language Proven
to be active in local work
Committed
to staying on the field long term Has a plan
Committed
to regular reporting
Some
years of experience as a minister and/or some mission experience,
Willing to work with supporting congregation for trial period
prior to departure.
Keeping
Support
1.
Work with the supporting congregation before you go.
2.
Outline reasonable expectations and goals.
3.
Report regularly and frequently—minimally once a month. Share the joy of your
work. In reporting recall original goals and share how progress is coming in
meeting those goals. Do not rely exclusively on electronic reporting.
4.
Give a detailed list of funds received and send out
“thank you”s promptly.
5.
Continually invite others to participate financially in your work.