Advocates Open Doors for Women and Ethnic Minority Missionaries

By on May 1, 2013   /   Ethnic and Gender   /   Leave a comment

I’ve often wondered if advocacy and commendation occur so much in scripture because the context reects near Eastern cultural values. Although self-advocacy is seen to express condence and assertiveness in male majority (white) cultures, it can be disrespectful in communities of color. For example, most non-majority cultures are relational and group-oriented. Things get done through relationships and networks – folks support people they know. Without someone they trust making the introduction, you are an outsider. Because there is strong loyalty to the community, when someone vouches for you as one of the community, members of the group are more inclined […]

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Commending and Sending: The Role of Advocates in Support Team Development

By on April 1, 2013   /   Communication and Relationships, Thriving for a Lifetime   /   6 Comments

A powerful scriptural principle linked to missionaries being “sent” is that of commendation: “Let other people praise you–even strangers; never do it yourself” (Prov. 27:2, Good News). “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Cor. 10:18). “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (2 Cor. 13:1). It can be a dilemma for us to describe our missionary service to others, often putting us in the uncomfortable position of “commending” ourselves. We may feel as though we must sell ourselves and our […]

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Physician, Heal Thyself… Missionary, Support Thyself?

By on March 1, 2013   /   Biblical Encouragement   /   Leave a comment

As the age-old cliché sounds unwise for medical doctors, it seems nonsensical for Christian missionaries who are on support. But then again, does it?  Even before we consider the hard work on our part (preparation, phone calls, face-to-face appointments, etc.) needed for raising support, we should look at what creates a healthy environment for it. Our tendency is to think, “If only Christians would be more Kingdom-minded and generous in their stewardship, there would be plenty of support to go around!” I propose that fostering a healthy environment for raising support begins with us, and our generosity in stewardship. Amongst the […]

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The Top Five Reasons NOT to Raise Support

By on February 1, 2013   /   Fear and Perspective   /   1 Comment

My wife told me I need a hobby. But collecting sea shells, restoring cars, or painting landscapes don’t do much for me. She doesn’t think this counts as a legitimate hobby, but I love to use my discretionary time challenging people to embrace God’s calling on their life and launch out to raise their support. Occasionally, though, I actually catch myself telling someone not to raise support—at least not yet. In my opinion, you have no business raising your financial ministry support if: 1. You have a lot of credit card debt  Having any consumer debt at all has a way of […]

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A Support-Raising Husband: The Top Five Commitments

By on January 1, 2013   /   Family and Finances   /   Leave a comment

I recently took all of our male staff through Dennis Rainey’s excellent book Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood. A few days later, I was sitting across from a 17 year-old high school guy who wanted to take my daughter to prom. After sharing a few thoughts from Rainey’s book, I asked his definition of a man. He paused for a moment, looked me in the eye, and said, “I think a boy becomes a man when he takes full responsibility before God for his life.” He then added, “What do you think?” I was so stunned, I began stuttering and stammering, and finally only […]

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A Must Read: A Tip for Support Raising Husbands

By on January 1, 2013   /   Family and Finances   /   Leave a comment

Each night when I went to bed, it felt like a weight was on my shoulder and it wouldn’t go away. Our support was in a tailspin, and I knew we would crash. In June 2007, our support hit the wall. Our daughter’s death in 1994 took an emotional toll on me. For 13 years, my support raising efforts were paralyzed. I sent out fund appeal letters, but I could not talk with people one on one. Then in June 2007, it was as if the Lord gently said to me, “I’ve given you 13 years where you haven’t had […]

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The Top Five Steps to Significant End of the Year Gifts

By on December 1, 2012   /   Special Asks   /   1 Comment

30-40% of my total personal support comes in during a particular 30 day period each year. Can you guess when? Yes, December. I’m hoping you’re not just eating turkey and decorating Christmas trees during this season. Don’t miss this strategic opportunity each year to pour massive amounts of fuel and strength into your financial engines. What you do the final month of each year will have profound impact on your whole upcoming year of ministry. Finishing well is the key to launching well! Here are five steps you can take to plan your work and work your plan: 1. Get Started! Begin […]

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We Give Thanks…

By on November 1, 2012   /   Communication and Relationships   /   Leave a comment

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:18-19, NLT). With Thanksgiving Day at the end of this month, it’s a great reminder about the significance of expressing thanks in our ministry. First of all, we give thanks to the Lord, the One who calls us, comforts us, equips us, provides for us, and propels us into His work…what a privilege! We also give thanks to those people He has brought into our lives to partner with us in the Great Commission, sharing His love, doing His will. In […]

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A Ministry Partner’s Perspective: “Why We Give… and Keep On Giving”

By on October 1, 2012   /   Communication and Relationships   /   2 Comments

A missions pastor recently challenged me to consider the perspective of those on the “outside” of our ministries, i.e. those who financially support us. Even though my wife and I have been giving to missionaries our entire married life (as well as living/ministering on support) this pastor exposed issues we had never considered. So, let me remove my support raising hat and put on my ministry partner hat and share four reasons why I would want to support you…and keep on supporting you: 1. You cared enough to step out in faith and ask us.  Just as the #1 reason […]

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5 Character Flaws That Sabotage Our Support Raising

By on September 1, 2012   /   Fear and Perspective, Follow-Through/Obstacles   /   2 Comments

I like to think of myself as a positive person, cheering on everyone I cross paths with. But today, we need some “tough love” (me included!) for us who call ourselves full-time Christian workers. Yes, there are many exceptions, but let’s be honest, in many circles, our reputation stinks. And if the world (or the Church!) views us negatively, we have no one to blame but ourselves. So, sit down, take a stiff swig of a 5 Hour Energy Drink, and let me perform a much-needed “intervention” to help us truly face reality. These five flaws in our character desperately need to be […]

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  • Lifetime Service Award – Betty Barnett
    During each Support Raising Leaders Conference, we recognize a life-long champion of personal support raising who has given decades to the service of others in...
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