DISCLAIMER: This article is written within the context of the US Foursquare church. I am writing primarily to pastors and leaders within our movement.
EVEN BIGGER DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. This is just how I see things.
It seems confusing at first. We have two “funding models” at Foursquare Missions International. We have missionaries who are funded by The Global Missions Fund, and we have missionaries who have to go raise their own support.
When this first began to develop it was confusing for a lot of us. Historically, Foursquare Missions International had very specific qualifications for missionaries and a very specific assignment: to pioneer and cultivate indigenous church planting movements that eventually become a national Foursquare Church who ultimately sends new missionaries to the harvest. (Read more about it HERE.)
This worked great. The Global Missions Fund continues to resource key leaders who are producing incredible fruitfulness around the world. Nations continue to be transformed through this sending model.
Somewhere along the way we began to see a need for more missionaries who do not fit our pre-defined category. Because FMI was so focused, it was a hard group to get into. Things needed to change without losing the strengths we had.
Thus was born the “partner-funded” missionary. Now, to be clear, the “official” title of this missionary is “Church-funded Missionary.” I have chosen here to call them “partner-funded” missionaries because they are funded by individuals and local churches that partner with them in ministry and mission.
(Read 5 Ways Your Church Can be Relevant to Global Missions Regardless of Size of Location.)
These “Church-Funded”/”Partner-Funded” missionaries have multiplied the fruitfulness and ministry of the Foursquare Church around the world and they are to be celebrated with joy.
Here are 5 Benefits of Partner-Funded Missionaries.
- More laborers for the harvest. I love the Global Missions Fund, and I am 100% supportive of it and its objectives. However, it is incapable of sending all the people called to and needed by the mission field. We need more laborers and partner-funded missionaries make this possible!
- Great Connections with Supporters. I see this first hand with our partner-funded missionaries. For example, I was recently talking with one of our missionaries who is supported by a church that also supports the Global Missions Fund. I told him, “You have a connection with that church that I may never have. Even though they both support us. When I visit their church, I am just a guy from FMI, but when you visit the church, you are “their” missionary.” The church feels a greater ownership and connection.
- Increased participation. When a local church has “ownership” of the mission, they are more likely to send resources and people. This is a good thing. Now, churches and individuals can support people, projects, and places around the world (Click HERE to learn more).
- Increased opportunities for those who minister “outside the box.” When I first started my missionary journey in Russia, I did not fit the “FMI Box”. I was a local pastor traveling constantly into Russia. I was developing a group of leaders and churches that would eventual become the Foursquare Church of Russia. But I didn’t fit the box. I didn’t care. I was going because Jesus had called me. The fruit spoke for itself. And thankfully, the Director of Missions was willing to recognize that though what I was doing was way out of the box, it was definitely worth taking a risk on. We have a lot of people out there who can produce Kingdom fruit. They may not fit into our box, but that is OK.
- Faith and Faithfulness increase. I am humbled and amazed at how the missionaries I serve with trust God. I continue to be amazed at pastors and churches who sacrifice for missions. In both the local church and the mission field I see faith and faithfulness increasing with joy.
I am a missionary who is supported by The Global Missions Fund. I am thankful every day for the people who support us. Yet, listen closely to what I am about to say: I do not think every dollar of your mission support should go to the Global Missions Fund. I suggest you maximize your kingdom investment by diversifying into both the Global Missions Fund and supporting individual missionaries.
I would request that you not start supporting individual missionaries at the expense of The Global Missions Fund. After all, there are missionaries being supported by that fund and if you re-direct your support those missionaries will go without.
Instead, find ways in increase your support of missions. Here are some ways you can get involved .
I am thrilled that we have two sending models that make room for more called, anointed, and gifted people to get to the harvest field. So, when asked, “Should we support the Global Missions Fund or an individual missionary?” My loud, resounding answering is “YES!”
Clink HERE for a list of missionaries and projects you can get involved with.
Click HERE to start supporting the Global Missions Fund.
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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.
