Three Reasons Why You Should Pray About Supporting Missions/Ministry Monthly

First of all, let me start this post off with a disclaimer: I (Stacy) had the blessing and experience of growing up in a Christian home with parents that were and still are major givers. I don’t know your background or story - but some of what you hear me share will be from my own experience. I mean it - my parents are some of the most generous people I know and I grew up knowing that they gave to many missionaries and ministries monthly as “partners”. I think some of this was Christian culture of the day - giving to a ministry monthly was considered more normal in the 80’s and 90’s - and some of it is just the way that my parents operate. I am not anywhere near as generous as my parents - or many of our other family and friends honestly - who just blow me away with how they give. And when I start looking at some Christians in other cultures outside of America - who give generously even out of their need - I am deeply convicted. In short: I-have-SO-far-to-go! And if the whole topic of giving and being a ministry partner is one you’d rather not discuss - then I’m in the same boat with you. However, being in the middle of support raising for our call to missions has forced me to grapple with some of the trickier issues surrounding support raising, with one of them being the “first-time” or “one-time” gift versus the “ongoing” or “monthly” support. So, without further ado - here are three “reasons” [from my perspective only] of why you [and me!] should consider giving to a missionary/ministry monthly: 

1. Giving Regularly Matters More Than We Think - Giving in any capacity is seen, noticed, and matters to Jesus. He’s the One who sees our hearts, motives, and the only One who I believe can expand our capacity and understanding in regards to giving. So, your ten dollar bill you drop into the offering box or text from your phone each month… It really matters. The guy who writes a check for a whole school to be built in Africa each month… That matters, too. Every-single-bit of what we give to God matters and He places eternal value on it. The problem is that we often see through the lens of humanity - kind of understandable with us being human and all - but God is such a perspective shifter. He’s the One who can tell us to “not despise the day of small beginnings”. He’s the One who took five loaves and two fish and turned it into a picnic for the masses - with leftovers. He’s the One who asks us to loosen our grip on our current beliefs in what He can do, and to trust Him with more. And He’s the One who takes our hearts and ties us to what He’s already doing and how He’s already working everywhere we turn. Many ministries and missionaries function as 501 C-3 organizations. And while there are some real legal benefits to this, the heart behind it is for ministries to function as a reflection of the big “C” church. Many parts - one body - working together and building each other up. So you have the texts, the emails, the phone calls, the letters - all asking if you would be willing to be a monthly ministry “partner”. Just like you rely on your job to provide regular, steady income, ministries and missionaries rely on many supporters to be the “organs” of their organization, pumping life and, yes, finances, into the places that need them. One time giving and gifts are overwhelmingly appreciated for helping missionaries and ministries get to a certain goal or be able to have what they need to launch. But monthly gifts - of ALL amounts - are the air flowing into their lungs. 

2. Missionaries and Ministries Long For Ongoing Connection - I obviously can’t speak for all   or ministries - and do not wish to do so - but those I have known deeply long to be connected to the church body and to have the wisdom, prayer, and support of the church at large. Missionaries and ministries might be on the front lines, Missionaries and ministries might be on the front lines, but it doesn’t take too much looking back at some of the world wars (my favorite to study in History and Literature is WWII) to know that those on the front lines can do nothing… Nothing… but it doesn’t take too much looking back at some of the world wars (my favorite to study in History and Literature is WWII) to know that those on the front lines can do nothing…  Nothing… Without those sending them regular supplies in order for the battles to be fought. And as cliched as it sounds, it really does take everyone giving something (again, go study WWII in Britain!) for the war to be won. Giving monthly to missionaries/ministries keeps you linked to the battle and invested in the war. And if a missionary and ministry are doing their part to communicate, it keeps your prayers fresh and flowing for all that God is doing in that area! But hopefully, most of all, it keeps you connected to the real, raw lives and struggles of the people that are doing ministry and them joined right back to you and your real, raw life and struggles. Supporters are not dollar signs. They are just people helping other people.

3. Teammates Work Out Together - On a sports team, teammates see each other often and work out together for the common goal of winning a game and making progress together. So how do we do that while we aren’t physically together? We engage at a heart level. And Jesus said where your treasure is there you heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) I’ll be honest - I have one missionary friend that we give a very small “seed” amount to each month. She has my whole heart, and every month I think of and pray for her. We have other missionaries that we give more to - and every month we think of and pray for them. The amount does not matter in our prayers or affections. The consistent giving is just another link that helps keep us in the game with them while they are on the field. I can’t yet foresee how lonely it will be as a missionary on the field, but I’ve heard it can be an isolated, hard place. And many have said that at just the right time, any one of their regular supporter, aka “teammates”, has reached out to give them a word, prayer, or encouragement at just the right time. I’m praying this to be true for us as well - many hearts connected to ours ultimately linked together in Jesus. 

So there they are - my top three “reasons”. If we were face to face, this is the point where I would ask for your eyes and say “Hear-me-well - giving monthly is NOT the only way you stay connected to missionaries. I’m not even saying that it’s the best way. It’s just one of the ways.” My challenge to you would be for you to take it before the Lord and see what He says about you jumping in a new and deeper way that maybe you ever have before. Let Him have the final say and may many missionaries and ministries be blessed by your obedience and giving!