Living faithful, fruitful and fulfilled on the mission field
Has God called you to bring about change? Likely you responded to God’s call and a need when you decided to go to the mission field. I did! My heart burned with a passion to take the gospel to the places where it had not …
Missionary adventures can turn into tragedy. Our journey usually starts with tremendous excitement. We are ready to take on great challenges for God’s Kingdom’s sake. Then, as the months and years go by, we often encounter circumstances far different from what we expected. Coup d’etats, …
“I love missionary life and doing ministry, but I hate the fund-raising aspect of it!” These are common feelings for many on the mission field. I’ve definitely had them too! We have to change our mindset. Developing ministry partners can be fun and exciting. It strengthens your work and is a blessing for those who give. What exactly is the difference between a ministry partner and a donor?
Or are those just different words we use to everyone feel better about the process? Sometimes it can feel like this is another slick “marketing” technique to get people to support you! If that is all it is, you won’t enjoy developing ministry partners any more than raising money. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Ministry partners are people who commit themselves to you and the vision God has given. They feel part of what you are doing. They are willing to commit their time, money, and prayer, to
This morning I received an email from one of my readers. He said something that stood out to me. It reflected an attitude I’ve also been guilty of having in the past. He wrote, “How do I sell them on this project so they will give?” Wrong approach! We aren’t selling anything. We are inviting people to join us and God’s purposes.
Some years ago, when we were working in India, the Lord spoke to me about purchasing land for a widow’s home. Land in our part of India was very expensive. It would cost thousands of dollars to buy land and then build even simple buildings there. How would I raise this money? I certainly had no idea.
Raising money for a project like this is a faith walk. We do our part, and God does His.
I remember thinking to myself – “I’m terrible at fund-raising! We barely have enough to meet our own personal needs. How can I possibly raise this much money?”
This vision was from the Lord and I was committed to obeying Him. I began to pray and ask God what to do. The Lord gave me a list of key people to ask to partner with me on this project. I shared the vision with them clearly: what God had spoken to me, the needs of widows in my part of India, and what I hoped to do by purchasing this land.
My husband and I also booked appointments to speak in churches where we shared this vision and need. It was amazing to see how many people wanted to partner with us to make this a reality! It was a great miracle when God provided. I’d done my part, and God certainly did His.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Cor. 9:7 NIV.
The attitude with which you talk to people about your project (even if the project is raising your personal support) is very important.
Read my blog on changing your mindset. If you feel like you are a beggar, you will come across like one. Instead, see yourself as an ambassador for Christ. You are inviting people to partner with something God has on His heart to do. You are giving fellow Jesus followers an opportunity to get involved in a ministry that will significantly impact the world.
Who wouldn’t want to join that? At least in a small way? It is a privilege to have a chance to contribute to God’s projects and work.
I strongly advise against sending out Whatsapp or Facebook messages or emails to everyone you know with a long explanation of your needs. That is like spamming people. It doesn’t work well.
All that will do is teach people to ignore your messages. They know you just want their money! Instead, set up appointments with people. When you ask for the appointment, be clear. Tell them you’d like to share with them about your ministry and invite them to consider making a contribution. Take the time to talk with people in person or by phone rather than just blasting out messages.
Don’t send out general, vague emails saying “please pray for my finances.” That may work once in a while but usually is quite ineffective. Instead be clear about what you are doing and what you need to be able to move forward. Don’t hesitate or feel like you will offend people by talking about money. Instead, relax and share with confidence. This sometimes takes a bit of practice. Try sharing your vision and the need with your spouse or in front of a mirror. Work on it until you can share with clarity, confidence and in a relaxed way.
We often swing too far one way or the other on this. Some people are ashamed to ask the question after sharing their vision, “Would you like to become a ministry partner? To make a regular contribution or a one time gift to join me in this vision?” So they present what they are doing but then just stop. You need to ask.
Others come across very pushy. People say things that are manipulative like, “If I don’t get this money now, my children won’t be able to go to school.” Be careful. Don’t say things which put the potential partner in an awkward position if they choose not to commit to partnering with you.
When people do respond, you need to treat them as a genuine partner. That means you give them regular updates. Sometimes you ask for their input on bigger decisions you need to make. You want to make them to feel included. Not like you are only interested in their financial contributions.
Developing a strong team of ministry partners is a tremendous blessing. It will increase your ability to see the things God has called you to do come about. Raising ministry partners is not a side task, it is also part of your ministry job. Make time for doing this part of your ministry well.
What will you do this week to develop your team of ministry partners? What questions do you still have about this? Let me know in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook page.
True or False: Fundraising is an important priority for a missionary. Do you believe this? Or is it rather an added nuisance to our lives as field workers? If you ask those serving to answer this question honestly. You’ll get a wide variety of answers. …
Facing trials…again…and again….and again. How do we keep going in the missionary life “race”? The following is a guest post by Rachel A. I am a long-term, hopefully, life-long missionary. The race marked out before us is a marathon, not a sprint. I’ve come to …
“Unlock your phone and show it to us or we won’t let you enter our country,” the immigration official demanded. Seizing his phone, the officers checked the emails, Facebook, WhatsApp and other private messages of the nervous missionary. Though they allowed him to enter the country in the end, it was not a comfortable experience. How are Christians to respond to persecution in the changing environment of missions today?
Missions
With the recent events, I’ve been listening to senior mentors in missions. What are our elders (those in their 70s and 80s) saying? They have wisdom and the perspective of history as they think about this. Persecution is not new, though it does seem to be growing.
It is also important to listen well to national leaders in countries where persecution is on the rise.
This leads us to vital questions we must ask about how we do missions today.
Failing to prepare for the removal of all foreign donations, personnel,
Likewise, serious action to correct unhealthy dependency on foreign funds and personnel must be a priority.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matt 5:10 NIV
Randy Alcorn published a blog that includes a translated letter written by Pastor Wang Yi. He and over 100 members of Early Rain Covenant Church, were arrested in December 2018. As Alcorn points out, we have much to learn from what he says.
What stood out to me most was the fact that Pastor Yi’s goal was not to change the political situation. Instead, he was concerned about proclaiming Christ.
He writes, “I do not have the intention of changing any institutions or laws of (country name removed). As a pastor, the only thing I care about is the disruption of man’s sinful nature by this faithful disobedience and the testimony it bears for the cross of Christ.” How much is gospel proclamation our goal and priority? Do we share his sentiments?
In an Appendix to the letter, Wang Yi defines what he means by “faithful disobedience.”
“I firmly believe that the Bible has not given any branch of any government the authority to run the church or to interfere with the faith of Christians. Therefore, the Bible demands that I, through peaceable means, in meek resistance and active forbearance, filled with joy, resist all administrative policies and legal measures that oppress the church and interfere with the faith of Christians.
I firmly believe this is a spiritual act of disobedience. In modern authoritarian regimes that persecute the church and oppose the gospel, spiritual disobedience is an inevitable part of the gospel movement.
I firmly believe that spiritual disobedience is an act of the last times; it is a witness to God’s eternal kingdom in the temporal kingdom of sin and evil. Disobedient Christians follow the example of the crucified Christ by walking the path of the cross. Peaceful disobedience is the way in which we love the world as well as the way in which we avoid becoming part of the world.”
India is another giant when it comes to unreached peoples. Government restrictions and persecution are also on the rise in that nation. Victor C., an Indian movement leader who has seen hundreds of thousands come to faith through his networks wrote the following:
In response to an inquiry from Luis Bush about Pastor Wang Yi’s letter he wrote. “Interestingly, a similar thing happened recently here in India. The government cracked down on a regular gathering on an open ground where around 4/5000 believers met to worship on Sundays. The pastor and a few others had been taken into police custody. Any believers going into that site were thrashed by the police.
As I have been handling a lot of persecutions in the past, they rang me up and asked what to do. I told them, “Do what Yeshua told you to do.” They asked me, what did he teach? I said, for a starter – “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven.” (Matt. 5:11-12). Secondly, “Love your enemies and pray for them so you will be children of your heavenly Father.” (Matt. 5:44-45)
Then they asked, “What do we pray?” I said pray as the disciples prayed when they were threatened, “Lord,
They said “OK. What about meeting at the place they used to?” I said do what they did. After the 3000 were baptized, they quit the temple. They broke bread and shared the whole wisdom of God from house to house. Acts 20: 20,27. Also when persecution broke out in Jerusalem, resulting in the martyrdom of Stephen, they were scattered abroad, and the gospel went ballistic because wherever they went, they preached both to the Jews and the Gentiles. Acts 8:4; 11:20-21
Result: 1. New believers were added every day (Acts 2:47; 2. Disciples multiplied (Acts 6:1,7; Ecclesias grew in numbers daily (16:5)
Finally, they asked me then what do we do about the pastor and others who are in police custody. Again, I said to them to do what Yeshua has told you, “Do your utmost to settle the matter quickly with your accusers”; (while still in the police station otherwise you will have to bail them out and go through a costly, timewasting and never-ending court case, with no guarantee of justice) …” Matt. 5:12 They said, we need to come and spend some time with you. I said you are welcome.
We know that persecution is guaranteed for true Christians; “If they persecuted me (Yeshua), they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20)
One of my mentors served in the same country as Pastor Wang Yi, in Vietnam, and other restricted access countries.
He’s been reflecting on what has been happening these past few months. He wrote, “The darkness developing in (country name removed) will not last forever. Maybe 5 years. Maybe 15 years. Maybe 25 years.
Persecution and suffering in the Russian church lasted from approximately 1920 until 1990. The earlier severe persecution of the (country name removed) church lasted from approximately 1950 until
Scripture teaches that persecution produces endurance, which produces strong disciples.
One responsibility of leaders outside of (country name removed) is not to work against or destroy what God intends to produce in the (country name removed) church through suffering. Persecution and suffering might produce stronger disciples than all the Korean, Texan, North Carolina, or California Bible studies taught by foreigners.
During a time of sifting, much stubble will be burned up. Saul’s armor will be cast aside by young David’s. Some contemporary Western mission paradigms will be left behind.
We never know in advance which believers will rise and assume leadership of the persecuted church.”
As missionaries, let’s prayerfully consider current events. We must do so whether we serve in restrictive countries where persecution is on the rise or not. Matthew 24 speaks to the importance of understanding the times.
If you are i
What other questions does this situation spark in your mind and heart? Let me know in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook page.
The education of children on the mission field is a major concern. This is especially true when they have special needs. God loves missionary kids and knows how to provide for them. Their destiny matters to God as much as it does to us, their …
Missionary burn-out is very real. We missionaries are a deeply committed people. We are willing to lay down our lives, do whatever it takes, to see people come to Christ. God regularly asks us, His people, to do things far beyond our own capacity. He …
Burnout signs – they are relatively easy to spot. Low energy. Reduced passion for ministry. Not getting things done that normally are quite easy to do. One way of addressing these issues is to consider taking a sabbatical. To make it a success, you need to plan ahead. We don’t always like doing this. Especially if we are already weary. Don’t let that keep you from this step. Keep it simple, but make a plan.
In the last blog, I wrote about 3 phases to include in your sabbatical plan. Together with planning for those phases, you also must clarify your primary sabbatical objectives. What do you want to see happen by the end of your sabbatical?
Here is an example of my recent sabbatical’s objectives.
By the end of the sabbatical, I wanted to be refreshed emotionally, spiritually and physically. I wanted to know where I was headed and what I needed to do to equip myself for the next season.
Having these clear objectives helped me stay on track during my sabbatical period. It also gave me a framework to evaluate how effective my time off had been.
In each of the following areas jot down a few notes. What do you want or need in each of these 4 areas?
Fill in the blanks. “Currently I mostly feel ________________________. By the end of my sabbatical, I want to feel _____________________.”
What boundaries will you need to set to rest and truly stop normal ministry work during this period?
Consider putting boundaries on your communications and how available you are to people during this period. Below are some examples that might help you.
Email. I will set up a sabbatical email address I only give to a limited group of people. My spouse (or assistant) will check my normal email several times a week. They will only tell me about true emergencies.
Phone. During the first month, I will shut off my phone except for two hours a day in the evening.
Messaging (Whatsapp, texts, Messenger, etc.). I will ask to be removed from groups during sabbatical and only rejoin after this season is over.
“Drop in” visits. When people come to the door, I will let others answer and say I am not available due to other commitments. (This is easier to say than, “He is reading a novel and can’t help you with your emergency.” Your commitment is real. It is to yourself and to God. It is a commitment to rest and be restored.
I will let my staff and church members know ahead of time that I will not be able to see them when they drop by. I am dedicating this as a time when I am “set apart” to the Lord and to a time of restoration and renewal.
This is a very hard thing in community-oriented cultures, but I strongly encourage you to work on this. Set clear boundaries and communicate them with love. That in itself is a great example to those you lead. Resting now will help you to serve them after your sabbatical with greater anointing and energy.
Who will be a shield for you to protect you from interacting with those emergencies and needs?
Be sure to ask that person if they are willing to do this for you and explain what it will mean.
How will they know what kinds of things to give access to you and what to block?
You may want to write out guidelines for this or at least have a conversation with them about it. For example: Do you want to know about team conflicts? People leaving? Deaths? Marriages? Moral failures? A financial crisis in the ministry? Or do you want to be completely blocked from all knowledge of these things? Until after the sabbatical is over?
Especially in the first part of your sabbatical have a high boundary wall. Only allow the most critical emergency situations in. Without this barrier, you will not get a true break.
How will you re-enter ministry life after sabbatical?
Consider a phased re-entry rather than jumping back in all at once. Give yourself a few weeks to a month to slowly
At least a month before your sabbatical begins,
It will also help them learn that the Kingdom of God is about more than performance and working hard, it also involves entering into God’s rest. Taking a sabbatical is a fantastic model of humility and dependence on God. You are not the center of the ministry. Nor are you the one who sustains it. It does not depend on you.
Have you communicated this to people you serve yet? When will you do so?
Thinking through these issues and making a clear plan may seem like a lot of work now. It will greatly help you to properly rest during your sabbatical later.
After answering the questions above, write out your plan on a
Make a clear sabbatical plan and you will be set up for success!
John Chau’s recent death in the Indian Ocean prompted many tweets, posts and news articles this past week. Murdered by Sentinelese tribesmen, John was a fairly young missionary. He went to a remote and unreached tribe with a passion to share the gospel with them. …