Welcome to Part Thirteen of our Goer Essentials Series, where we’ve asked Goers to sound off on the essentials to thriving in life overseas. In today’s article, Goers share their tips and thoughts for support raising for their 2-year placements.  

Goer Essentials: Essentials to Thriving in Life Overseas

For this Goer Essential series, we surveyed Goers who are serving two-year global placements.  These articles are your chance to hear directly from Goers as they share their triumphs, best practices, amusing gaffes, and deep experiences of learning to live, thrive and make an impact while immersed in a new culture!

Part 13: More Tips on Support Raising

One of the biggest challenges to people joining God’s work is the fear of support raising.

Every one of our 300+ Goers has experienced this same fear or at least hesitation towards support raising.  We asked some of them what they would want to say to someone feeling daunted by the idea of support raising.  So if you’re at all intrigued by the idea of tithing 2 years of your career in God’s global work, then read on for a few of their tips and thoughts before you let a fear of support raising cause you to settle for anything less.  

Change Your Perspective

Much of our view on support raising has been shaped by the world around us rather than by God’s word.  The world tells us that we’re supposed to get a good degree to get a good job so we can get a good retirement.  God’s word tells us that we have a great God who has given us a great commission to call all peoples to know and worship Him.  He’s also provided His church with everything needed to carry out the great commission.  

“The Global Church has roughly 14,000 times the financial resources and 36,000 times the manpower needed to finish the Great Commission.” (thetravelingteam.org/stats)

“I had to change my perspective on fundraising. At first I thought it was a necessary evil, but as I talked with a friend, she told me about some of the benefits of fundraising. Not everyone who has a calling for missions has the ability to go overseas. By support raising, we get the opportunity to involve more people in Kingdom work. People aren't just giving you money, they are supporting God's Kingdom moving here on earth. Without them, we wouldn't be able to go; and without us, they may not have the ability to be involved in missions.” - Michaela, Ecuador

What if we start seeing support raising as part of the ministry?  We’re inviting people to join in the work by giving and praying.  For many people in your circle, you may be the only one extending a personal invitation to join in the work of taking the Gospel to the world in a real, tangible way. 

What if we start seeing support raising as part of the ministry? 

Don’t Project

Similar to changing our perspective, what if we put ourselves in the shoes of the people we’re asking to support us?

“You will be surprised how people really react. Most of the fear we have we built up in our head is trying to imagine how they will react. In other words we are projecting our expectations and experiences onto them. Just stop! By and large my experience taught me that when given the chance most people want to contribute to work done around the world, especially to build the Kingdom.” - Neika, Uganda

If your friend was doing something that they felt God had led and prepared them to do, wouldn’t you want to help them?  Saying ‘no’ for a friend or family member may be depriving them of the chance to join in the mission by giving and prayer.  

It’s Biblical Too!

As early as the second book of the Bible, we see God’s people giving out of what God has already blessed them with to provide for the work of God, in this case, the building of the tabernacle.  We also see in the same chapter that God has prepared certain people with the skills needed to carry out the work.

“Exodus 35 was the most impactful scripture for me in changing my view on support raising. Not only does support raising serve as a vessel to trust in the Lord, but it is biblical too!” - Olivia, Papua New Guinea

Olivia is so right.  Repeatedly throughout scripture, we see God using His people to provide for the work.  Even Jesus’ ministry was provided for by some of His followers.  For more on the biblical basis for support raising, check out our other article: Is Fundraising Biblical?

Conclusion

Don’t let the fear of support raising keep you from your part in God’s global work.  He has equipped you with skills and blessed His church to be a blessing so that more people can know and worship Him.  He’s also given us examples throughout scripture of ways He provides for His people so His work can be done on the earth.  

Key Takeaways

• Don’t say ‘no’ for your friends and family

• Support raising for ministry is a biblically based practice

• Support raising is part of the ministry

Dive Deeper

• Memorial Stones from Fundraising - Cindy, Middle East

• My Realistic Fundraising Journey - Michaela, Ecuador

• Grace in Fundraising - Neika, Uganda

• The Elephant in the Room: Is Fundraising Biblical? - Bri, Middle East

• Fundraising Q&A - GoCorps Staff Panel