Support Raising 101

Support raising is perhaps the scariest part of joining a mission team. Who wants to ask other people for money? It can be uncomfortable. But, that’s one of the things you learn as you prepare for and participate in a mission ministry. It takes you out of your comfort zone in so many ways. The process of raising support serves to prepare you for what is to come!

The apostle Paul sets the precedent for asking for support. In many of his letters to the churches he thanks them for giving to him and lets his need for support be known. Paul believed (and taught) that the gift is not the issue. In the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul is thanking the church at Philippi for their support. He acknowledges the gift they gave him and then says, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit” (Philippians 4:17). He knew that the act of giving was a blessing to him and to those who gave. When we request support, we are doing that same thing. We are asking to be blessed and we are offering our supporters the opportunity to be blessed. The New Testament sanctions the process of raising support for the Lord’s work.

This is what I teach my teams as we begin the process of procuring funds for our trips.  Like so many lessons I teach, this is one that requires me to practice what I teach. I have learned that it doesn’t get any easier to approach others and ask for money. I have no problem asking for money for my team, but when it comes to me my pride kicks in. Is this why God makes sure I have to raise support to participate? Does He know my desire to go is stronger than my pride? Is this what it means for me to “lay down my life” for others? To challenge my own pride?

God continues to challenge my pride and my faith. Team funds are coming in slowly. We have tickets for the five of us who have passports but we still need to raise funds for our in-country and ministry expenses. We have five suitcases that will each cost $40.00 to take and we need funds for these as well. 

We continue to need your prayer support but if you had the intention of supporting our ministry financially, please know that it it not too late nor is any amount too small. If you are interested in supporting us, please contact me at huehue2go@gmail.com. 

Personally, I still need to raise funds for ministry in Costa Rica  with the Senior Service Practicum, but Guatemala is first and God knows the schedule.

 

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters”

1 John 3:16