I’ve been thinking about support raising lately. Makes sense. It’s been on the top of my list since I returned back to America. Like most missionaries, my fellow co-laborers and I build up a team to fund this incredible work that God has called us to.
And I wouldn’t do it any other way!
Crazy, right? That even if offered a ‘normal’ paycheck, I’d still choose support raising. It seems tempting in the flesh, but then I wouldn’t have seen just how much a difference support raising can make. It’s impact far exceeds my life and the lives of those I minister to. I’ve also seen God use support raising to strengthen the faith of those who partner with me! I wouldn’t change that for the world!
I’m positive that if you interviewed people that once had ambition to go into full time, overseas missions, most would tell you that they didn’t go because of support raising. Really what they’re saying is “I’m afraid.”
Has support raising scared me? Absolutely! I still get super nervous whenever I call to set up a meeting with someone. Or when I get to the part in sharing about the ministry that I have to ask for them to partner with me. ‘What is they say no? What if I come across wrong?’
However, faith is stronger then fear.
We’re called to “walk by faith” (2 Corin 5:7). Instead of remaining frozen in fear, we must make the conscious decision to move forward in what God has called us to do. I know that God will provide. It’s not just because of my experiences in life but simply because His word says it.
The beautiful thing in all of this is that I have this amazing team that is knit together by God. He’s put together this incredible group of people who shares His heart to reach the unreached and neglected in remote villages. These aren’t just strangers, but people I consider family. We’ve served together, laughed and cried together, and have been each other’s prayer warriors. I know that my life has been impacted by each of you that have joined this team.
So here’s this life of support raising. It’s challenging, faith growing and incredibly beautiful. I wouldn’t change a thing about it and I continue to look forward to seeing whom God has prepared to join us as we continue moving forward.
Ahhh! Support raising! I also get nervous every time I call to set up an appointment. Right now, at this very point in my life, I don’t get nervous when asking for the partnership… it’s the setting up the appointment with a complete stranger that scares the beans outta me. Our moments of great success in this endeavor have always started with prayer. It’s something I neglected for a long time in our support raising — thinking just “being in faith” would be sufficient — oh boy, I was wrong! Prayer is so vital to our support raising adventures. Thanks for sharing! I love this entry.