When I knew the Lord was calling me to go on the mission field, the idea of raising support was one of the biggest hindrances. But now having gone through the process, I am beyond thankful for the experience! Here are several things I learned during support raising:
Focus on building relationships.
Although we need funds to be able to go overseas, it is even more important to have relationships that keep you rooted in truth. When you are facing a challenging situation and need encouragement or prayer, having a team of ministry partners in your corner is invaluable.
Remain confident in God’s ability and humble in your own ability.
God is able to do so much more than we could ever imagine (see Ephesians 3:20). But during support raising, I also realized that I carried a lot of pride into the process. I came into support raising with expectations—thinking I knew how the Lord would provide—but it didn’t take long to realize that the Lord is the one in control, not me. He is able to and will provide all our needs, but he will do it in the way he desires. It is a humbling experience to raise support, but one that I would not trade for anything.
When things go differently than expected, don’t lose hope!
During support raising, there are many times when things don’t go according to our plan. But God’s plan is always better than ours, and nothing is a surprise to him. When things get hard, remember he is pruning you to bear fruit. He will make a way in his timing and his way to ultimately bring glory to his name.
Pray, pray, pray!
When support raising is challenging, pray. When support raising is going well, pray. Thank him for his provision before and after you see it. And praise the Lord in all circumstances!
Where God calls, he equips.
Ultimately, when God calls us to something, he will equip us with what we need. Whether it’s financial, physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental, he will provide everything we need. Sometimes he just asks us to take that step of faith, trusting that he will provide our daily bread each step of the way.
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21