Four Things Every Missionary Needs, pt 4
Of the “Four Things Every Missionary Needs,” this is the touchiest of them all. It is sad really. Rather than see funding as something we have to pry from the cold, dead hands of reluctant supporters, we should see it as a joyful opportunity to engage in life giving and spiritual ministry.
“Fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry! … Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.” (Henri Nouwen, A Spirituality of Fundraising)
As missionaries, we focus on the harvest fields of those not yet reached with the Gospel. Consequently, we are dependent on those who have been reached by the Gospel to help us reach others with the Gospel. This is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.
Missionaries need financial support and it is a joy to support them. There, I said it.
Paul was upfront about his desire for churches to support him. Look at Romans 15:24, “I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.” (ESV)
The word translated, “to be helped on my journey” is a Greek word used to describe the outfitting of an expedition. Paul was hoping the Romans would provide material support for his mission to the barbarians in Spain.
I know. I know. Talking about money is delicate. In Revelation we read of a book that no one can open. Some pastors believe that book is the pocketbook.
As uncomfortable as we may be in talking about money, we need to be very clear on this one point:
“It is impossible to have Spiritual Renewal without financial reform.”
The Bible mentions faith about 270 times, hope around 166 times, love about 551 times, prayer around 375 times, praise and worship are mentioned about 662 times in the Bible. Money is mentioned more than 2,000 times.
The Gospels contain more warnings about money and its misuse than any other subject. One verse in four of Matthew, Mark, and Luke deals with money. One verse in six of the New Testament deals with money. Almost half the parables of Jesus deal with money. The first sin in Israel to cause a national defeat was over money. The first sin recorded in early church was over money.
It is like Billy Graham said,
“If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.”
In a previous post I wrote about Luke 15-16 showing us the heart of God by telling us about lost sheep (15:1-7), lost coins (15:8-10), lost sons (15:11-32), and lost priorities (Luke 16:1-13). Reaching the lost matters. Making disciples of all nations matters. Going to the frontiers matters. That is why we celebrate financial partnership rather than apologize for it. We are engaged in something of eternal worth.
We go to the mission field in obedience to the Word of God and the call of God. We go to reach the nations by making disciples, developing leaders, and cultivating church planting movements. We go to express the love and compassion of God. We go because the harvest is ripe and the laborers are few.
We give to missions for the very same reasons. We long for that day when we behold a great multitude that no one can number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
We cannot do this alone.
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” (Romans 10:14–15, ESV)
Here are some ways you can make a difference:
- Give to the Global Missions Fund. Debbie and I are supported by this fund. Your support of the FMI Global Missions Fund enables us to serve.
- Support Individual Missionaries. Here is a list of FMI Missionaries serving in Europe.
- Support missionaries who are raising support to get to the field. Here are links to those going to Europe
- Travis and Alexis Mielonen, Krakow, Poland
- Andrew and Sarah Hamilton, Glasgow, Scotland
- Stephen and Evangelia Larkin, Athens, Greece
- Teresa Repair, Sochi, Russia
TO BE CONTINUED….
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Debbie and I serve as the FMI Global Associate Director for MENACA and Europe. We focus on cultivating disciples, leaders, and church planting movements.
