I
was reading Seth Barnes’s
blog the other day and he had some really good words on his experience with
support raising. I thought I would share
it with you.
“Support-raising is not something missionaries sign up to
do because they like it. Become a pastor and your congregation funds your
salary, become a missionary and you have no congregation.
Your choices are: find a job on the field that covers your
living costs (called tent-making) or find a group of people who believe in you
enough to send you out.
While I signed up to raise support somewhat reluctantly, it
has been a huge blessing in my life for the following four reasons.
1. It’s given me the discipline to stay in
touch with a large group of friends. We’re connected to and encouraged by
people who really care about our ministry and us.
2. It forces me to be accountable in ways that
bring health to my life. Left to my own devices, I’d probably become too
independent. Ministering to my support team causes me to grow and keeps me
humble.
3. It builds faith in me. I can’t just take a
salary check for granted; I have to look to God to provide.
4. It frees up resources for the Kingdom. Most
of our supporters give because they believe in and love my family and me. They
partner with us in sharing the love of Christ with a hurting world. Our efforts
together help push back the tide of hopelessness.”
