Why a $10,000 Buffer Isn’t Enough

By on July 3, 2018   /   Leaders, Thriving for a Lifetime   /   Leave a comment

Being fully funded means more than just being at full monthly support. It also means having healthy and appropriate reserves. Why do we need a buffer, also known as reserves? Living paycheck to paycheck is stressful for families. Missionaries in cross-cultural and other settings face many stresses, and it’s best to avoid adding unnecessary financial stresses. Families need a buffer in their checking and savings accounts for their personal living expenses and to manage cash flow. They also need reserves with the organization in which they serve. How much does a missionary need as a buffer? $10,000? $20,000? It depends […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Finances on the Field: Choosing a Missionary Banking Partner

By on March 6, 2018   /   Expat Solutions, Family and Finances, Non-Westerners   /   Leave a comment

Originally published on eccu.org Missionaries are always on the move, so choosing a bank that understands and serves your unique international needs is an important step in preparing for your work abroad. “For missionaries, it’s vital to not only have support, but the right support,” according to Aaron Babyar, President of Exago. “And finding the right banking partner is part of helping Christian workers become spiritually healthy, vision-driven, and fully funded.” “The right financial partner can make a powerful difference in your fundraising efforts.” To help you spend more time on ministry and less on banking, here are some missionary […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Five Reasons “Poor Talk” is Killing Your Ministry

By on December 5, 2017   /   Fear and Perspective   /   3 Comments

I recently interacted with a ministry leader who is also a friend. He was sharing about a very real issue that can affect Great Commission work. It’s something he has been seeing a lot of first hand. With his permission, I took some of his thoughts to create this article. We’ve all had those times when we are networking with another ministry leader and poor talk rears its ugly head and finds its way into the conversation. This acts like a disease and has a far-reaching impact not only on you personally, but also on those around you. Consider these […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Does Jesus Contradict Himself on Fundraising?

By on September 5, 2017   /   Biblical Encouragement   /   Leave a comment

Have you noticed that Jesus gave two different sets of instructions for funding ministry? Early in His ministry Jesus sent both the twelve disciples and seventy others on mission trips. He instructed them to “take nothing for your journey” but to be supported by “worthy men” to whom they ministered (Matt 10, Mark 6, Luke 9, 10). By contrast, just before He was crucified Jesus asked His disciples a penetrating question: “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you? They said, ‘No, nothing.’ And He said to them, ‘But […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Women in Ministry

By on August 21, 2017   /   Communication and Relationships, Family and Finances   /   Leave a comment

I recently read an article No One Wants to Bag Leaves Alone: The Vital Role Wives Play in Support Raising and absolutely loved it! The sacrificial and vital role of wives in the adventure of MPD (support raising) is part of the blessed teamwork of marriage. I cheer on the valiant hard work of those wives across the world! Listen ladies, the world is better because of you and wouldn’t be the same without you. The aforementioned article is a definite must-read for all wives whose husbands are the primary support raisers. I would, however, like to draw attention to […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

No One Wants to Bag Leaves Alone: The Vital Role Wives Play in Support Raising

By on August 1, 2017   /   Communication and Relationships, Family and Finances   /   1 Comment

Each year hundreds, if not thousands, of leaves fall from the many trees in our front yard until the leaves form a blanket so deep you can no longer see the grass. To rake and bag them all is a daunting and lengthy process. When my husband puts on his outdoor clothes and pulls out the rake, big trash can, and extra-large trash bags, I know he is going to dive into this leaf bagging chore. At that moment I have a choice to make. I can think, “Well, the inside of the house is kind of my domain (laundry, […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Ministry Partner ‘Family’ Reunions

By on July 5, 2017   /   Communication and Relationships, Thriving for a Lifetime   /   Leave a comment

In ministry, our supporters are like a family. We have a common Father, we interact and communicate with them, share a common vision, pray for each other, and have obligations to each other. Family reunions are a way to gather distant relatives together who are willing to come together because of a family bond and often a central person like a grandparent who is the glue to bring everyone together. Similarly, ministry partner reunions are a great way to engage with your supporter family who may not have much in common but you, and their belief and support of your […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Surprise, Surprise! Why Introverts Can Raise & Maintain Their Support Teams Just As Easily As Extroverts

By on April 4, 2017   /   Fear and Perspective   /   5 Comments

If you’ve attended an SRS Bootcamp, you may remember the story contrasting Lisa, an introverted woman who successfully raised and maintained her support, with Lenny, an extroverted “life of the party” guy who was unable to sustain his team. Well, I’m Lisa, and I want to share from my perspective the role and influence of personality has on support raising. When I first considered raising support, I was tempted to believe I would be unable to do so. I privately compared myself with Steve Shadrach, who was leading the Bootcamp I attended back in 2004, and I knew I was […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

Social Media Bonanza! Five Ways I Use Facebook in Support Raising

By on January 4, 2017   /   Communication and Relationships   /   10 Comments

The phrase “social media” was virtually unknown just ten years ago, and yet today, it seems our lives revolve around it. I admit we are a society of “technology addicts”, barely able to go five minutes without checking our phone—and all the many-faceted functions it now serves. There are definitely some drawbacks to staying glued to that little screen day and night, but there a few pluses—especially in the realm of ministry and support raising. Facebook, for instance, has ended up being an incredible blessing as I seek to minister to people who are near and far. On top of […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top

How Bad Do You Want It?

By on December 6, 2016   /   Fear and Perspective   /   39 Comments

“The Greatest Walk-On in the History of College Football”. That is the way Brandon Burlsworth is described in GREATER, a movie produced about his life and death. Brandon was a very slow and overweight freshman who had a lifelong dream of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but instead he was relegated to be the proverbial tackling dummy at practices. In spite of the mocking and derision, he refused to give up. Over the course of three years he out-worked, out-studied, and out-improved all others, moving his way up the depth chart. He won a scholarship, started at offensive tackle, and gained […]

Keep Reading →
Back to Top
GET CONNECTED
Blog
Podcast
Twitter
Facebook

Latest SRS Blog Post

CONTACT US
Support Raising Solutions
PO BOX 3556
Fayetteville, AR, 72702
1(800) 595-4881
info@supportraisingsolutions.org