Jesus: Did He Really Live on Personal Support?

Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God . The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means. (Luke 8: 1-3)    This is unbelievable. It’s hard enough to imagine the Son of God, King of kings and Lord of lords, would lower […]

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Asking for Referrals: A Key to Multiplying Your Contacts

Olga was a 24 year old Campus Crusade staff girl I met during the year our family spent in Ukraine reaching out to college students. She was later assigned to come to America and raise $2700 in new monthly support that would cover her needs and two other national staff. She knew no one here and had only a 21 day visa. So, a Crusade staffer here made a deal with Olga. He would give her 40 “referrals” to start her support raising activities with if she would give him 40 new ones on her way out of the country. […]

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Back to the Future: Can Old Friends Become New Supporters?

Stevie Hargett. What a guy. We had an unbeatable tandem in 4th grade YMCA football—one would block, while the other would carry the ball. I have such fond memories of Stevie and all the touchdowns we teamed up on. The only problem is—I haven’t talked to him in over 40 years! Now, what if I were launching out on a personal fundraising tour and some crazy support raising trainer told me to write down EVERY PERSON I HAVE EVER KNOWN IN MY LIFE on my namestorming list? And then he challenges me to go back and try to re-connect with […]

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The Role of the CEO: Raising Organizational and Personal Support

All of us have values; some good, some not so good. As a leader though, I can’t think of a higher value than this: I will not require or even ask another staff person to do something that I myself am not doing. Some call this “modeling”, and following this value builds respect, credibility, and morale. When a leader chooses to ignore this principle, arrogance and a sense of privilege can set in—eroding trust, sacrifice, and teamwork among the staff. Maybe it’s the difference between the war general who sits back on top of the hill directing his troops versus the […]

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Crossing the River of DeNial: Why it’s so Hard to Change Ourselves

Flying from London to Nairobi in a 767 is quite an experience. If the expanse of that mammoth plane doesn’t take your breath away, peering down on the terrifying terrain will. After gazing at a thousand miles of Sahara Desert, the gigantic and intimidating Nile River suddenly came into view, cutting a huge swath through the vast African continent. Eyes staring and mind racing, I couldn’t imagine someone attempting to cross the Nile, much less the Sahara.    Some call trying to conquer the most fearsome parts of nature “extreme sports.” I call it a “death wish!” After failing to jump […]

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The Latest Support Raising Trends: A Survey of 100 Sending Agencies

Maybe you ran into one of our dedicated staff women at the Urbana Missions Conference in St. Louis this past December. Anna Webb and Megan Corbett were there representing The BodyBuilders Ministry, but also spent several days diligently surveying over 100 different mission agencies who were exhibiting there. Just as the ministry leaders they questioned did not claim to have all knowledge, we are not presenting ourselves as “research scholars!” We’re simply trying to come up with some “pretty close” figures as to how Christian workers are currently doing in support raising. The survey included three basic questions: 1. What […]

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Prayer and Support Raising: Only God Can Turn Hearts

 “Prayer is the real work of the ministry. Service is just gathering in the results of prayer.” -S.D. Gordon in Quiet Talks on Prayer. The times in my life when I’ve applied this principle, I have seen God do some incredible things. Then why don’t I employ this truth every day in every situation, you ask? I must have a short memory and proud heart! The amount of time I spend in prayer can indicate whether I am trusting in God—or myself. Sometimes I foolishly think my presence with someone is more powerful and life-changing than God’s presence. I can […]

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The Top Four Books on Support Raising

1. Friendraising: Building a Support Team that Lasts by Betty Barnett, Published by YWAM in 1991.      Barnett is on staff with Youth With A Mission and trains their staff in support raising from her base in Hawaii. In her short, but powerful book, she teaches the four practical pillars of lasting friend and support raising: Friend Raising, Generosity, Communication, and Prayer with Promises. The only one listed here written by a woman, she brings a warm and enduring emphasis on building life long relationships with our supporters. Barnett exudes a genuine authenticity through her own story and the testimonies […]

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Support Raising Relationships: The Six that Matter Most

1. God Jesus said in John 15:5 “Apart from me you can do nothing.” We come to Him to find our calling, motivation, and vision. Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit, courage, and words. Ask Him to go before you to soften the hearts of your hearers. We cannot do what only God can do, but He will not do what He has asked us to do. So ask and believe God for big things. You can honor Him by the magnitude of your requests. 2. Parents Do you remember how your parents responded when you told […]

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An Open Letter to the Friends of Support Raisers

Most people in ministry who raise their own support view others strictly as either just givers or pray-ers. Why not take a minute and look at your contact list and think through 3-4 individuals who might want to do more? I’m sure there a few, that,deep down, would love to partner with you, standing shoulder to shoulder with you as you take on this challenge of getting to full support. [Q: Why are there so few lay people who are filling this kind of critical role? A: We have never asked them!] King Solomon understood the power of two, and […]

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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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