If I had to guess the #1 obstacle that keeps people from serving on the mission field, I’d say it’s support raising. Countless people have told me they could never be a missionary simply because they couldn’t raise support. I’ve had dozens tell me they could never “do what I do” or “be in that position.” And while I understand their fear (I had the same fears when I first started) I want to finally dispel the myth of the burden of fundraising!
The truth is, fundraising, though difficult, is an incredible opportunity for you and your ministry! Here’s why:
1. People will be more invested in your work
Think of the last time you gave someone a gift or a loan. You were probably excited to see them use it or wear it or put it to work, not because you wanted to be sure they used it properly, but because you were excited to see your investment pay off! The same is true for missions. People who are financially invested will also be emotionally invested, it’s just how it works. They’ll want to hear your updates and know what you’re doing because they helped make it happen and they’re excited to celebrate with you. Your supporters want to see you succeed and they want to see what God will do with the money they’ve given.
2. More people will be praying for you
When people are donating money to a cause, they want to be sure the cause is successful! Your supporters will be much more inclined to pray for you; their 
investment hinges on your success. I said it before but it bears repeating: when people are financially invested they’ll be emotionally invested. They’ll feel like (and are!) a part of your ministry, so the hungry orphan you helped last week becomes the hungry orphan they helped last week. They’re a part of what you’re doing and they’ll want to cover your ministry in prayer!
3. You learn to trust God
You might think you already trust God (and I’m sure you do), but there is no better way to test that trust than by putting every paycheck, every pair of shoes, and every meal in His hands. Fundraising will make you rely on God in ways you’ve never imagined. And while it seems scary, it’s incredible to witness. You’ll see God mold and change you like never before. Also, if you’re going on the mission field you’ll have to learn how to trust God in a whole new way, so this is great practice!
4. You see God do amazing things
You will. That’s a guarantee. I don’t think I’ve ever met a person that lives on support who doesn’t have at least 5 stories of incredible and sometimes miraculous ways God has provided for them. You never know what God can do until you give Him room to work- and fundraising gives Him plenty of room!
5. You get used to being uncomfortable
Spoiler alert: being on the mission field is uncomfortable. You have to learn a new culture, a new language, and a new way of life. If you want to spread the gospel, it’s going to be uncomfortable. You have to have hard conversations. Support raising is a great stepping stone for that. Fundraising means lots of awkward, hard conversations where you figure out how to tactfully ask people for money, which goes against everything our culture has taught us is appropriate.
When you learn how to be uncomfortable but effective in your own culture, you’ll be better at being uncomfortable but effective in a new culture. So if you can navigate a fundraising presentation with your 2nd cousin you’ve only met twice, you’re one step closer to telling a Muslim man about Jesus in a language you barely speak.
6. It’s biblical
Support raising is all over the Bible. From Nehemiah who asked King Artaxerxes for the resources to fix Jerusalem’s wall, to Paul who not only lived off support but even went so far as to say, “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” in 1 Corinthians 9:14. Support raising is even used to build God’s temple! Here are some more places in the Bible where people raised support.
7. It gives people a way to serve
So many people want to be involved in missions but can’t physically go themselves because of health issues, family obligations, or other responsibilities. But they want to be a part of God’s mission! By asking them for support you’re giving them a way to be directly involved in God’s work among the nations.
8. It stimulates the faith of others
Fundraising won’t just grow your faith, it will grow the faith of others as well! Whether it’s people who are inspired by your faith, people who see how God has provided for you, or people who experience other blessings because of their giving to you- support raising stimulates the faith of everyone involved!
9. Accountability
Accountability can seem like a burden, but in reality it’s a huge blessing. It’s always good to have someone to answer to and someone to keep you motivated. Your supporters are giving their hard-earned money to help your ministry succeed and you don’t want to let them down. This could always be taken to an unhealthy degree (like denying yourselves necessary luxuries to keep your sanity in a new culture or not taking vacations because you’re afraid supporters will think you’re wasting their money), which I definitely don’t want to encourage. But for the most part, having people know what you’re doing and how you’re using the money you’re given is a great motivator.
10. It’s worth it
Is raising support difficult? Yes. Is it going to take time, sweat, tears, and prayers? Yes. Are you going to use that money to reach the unreached and save souls
for Christ? Yes? Then it’s worth it! No amount of effort or time or discomfort can come close to the price of someone’s soul. If God has called you to missions, to reaching the lost and sharing the gospel, then what can stand in your way? You can’t put a price tag on someone’s eternity, so don’t let the thought of support raising scare you from God’s calling on your life! He’ll provide what you need, you just have to ask.
Do you have an incredible fundraising story? We’d love to hear it! Send it to us at [email protected] or let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
