Why is support-raising so hard?  Didn’t the Apostle Paul say, “All things work for good…”?

This week has been difficult for a couple of new missionary families seeking to discover their financial support.  Both couples have been challenged to evaluate their motives by family members who do not trust their reasons for leaving the U.S. Others are struggling with the slowness of the process and the challenge to maintain the pace of phone calls and appointments in the face of rejection.  They are tempted to throw in the towel.

I am convinced that support raising is an important character-forming tool in the missionary process.  The combination of hard work, uncertainty, success and rejection is more than faith stretching. It is an important tool for maturity and growth.  After experiencing the reality of long-term missionary life, I can confess that our characters needed a lot of molding (and still do).

Although I did not live my childhood as a missionary, I witnessed this character-shaping process through my family story. I believe that this earlier blog post is still amazingly applicable....and certainly what I need to hear today...

When my older brother, Danny, was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, I was just an infant. Mom and Dad must have been crushed. Mom tells me that every few years they would have an appointment at the Duke University Hospital where the finest doctors would inform them of the harsh reality of this cruel disease and lower their expectations. They never imagined that Danny would live past the early teenage years, much less, learn to drive and graduate high school, even study broadcasting.  Danny was twenty-six when he died and he left a tremendous legacy of hope, perseverance and survival. He also suffered in silence and persevered.

So, how do “all things work for good”? Certainly, we cannot be talking about new cars or careers. God is not writing us a blank check for anything that we desire. He is making a much larger and important promise. God is committed to conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ. Simply put, He is determined to making us better people.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:28, 29a)

So, why is God allowing the support-raising process (or any other difficulty for that matter) to be long, slow, difficult and frustrating?  Simply put, He is conforming you to the image of His Son.  He is fulfilling His commitment to take away all that does not reflect Christ and is building up those character attributes that bring Him glory!  He is preparing you for a lifetime of incarnational ministry, being like Christ wherever He leads. 

If God ever calls you to raise support for a mission trip, an educational opportunity or simply the chance to involve others in what God is doing in your life...here is some simple advice...

You’ve already done the hard part.  You made a good list of contacts and you made some phone calls.  You worked up all the bravery that you could muster and you asked for an appointment, an opportunity to share what God is doing in your life.  To your surprise, they agreed to meet over coffee and now you get the privilege of telling your story, your beautiful story!  So, what do you say?

What has God done?  Everyone has a unique narrative about God’s faithfulness.  He is gracious to all of us! Whether you have followed Christ from an early age or have recently been brought out from a life of tragic mistakes, you are a beautiful testament to God’s love and mercy.  Take advantage of the moment and brag on the special way that God has treated you.  He deserves to be praised out loud!

How did God put missions on your heart? Somehow, God has shown you an intimate part of His heart, His passion for the nations.  How did that happen?  Were you involved in a short-term experience, a Bible study or a sermon series, a special missionary friend or a college professor?  How did God change your heart and give you a special mission?  Why are you ready to turn away from the typical pursuits and seek a life of missionary service?

What’s the vision?  Since you have heard from God, you now are seeking to obey His plan for your future.  What does that look like? Where will you be living? Is there a team?  What will you do? How are lives being changed?  When will you be going and for how long?  Is a missionary organization involved?

What has to happen to get there?  Let people know what you need?  Tell them about your need for preparation and training and some of the logistics.  Tell them specifically about your monthly financial need.  Explain the urgent requirement to be fully-funded so that you can experience a healthy, vision-driven, unencumbered ministry that can have long-term results on the field.  Show them the different levels of giving and then…

Ask!   Give them the specific opportunity to invest in what God is doing in and through your life!  Wait for their response.  Allow them to make a decision based upon what God is doing in their own heart.  You will be surprised by God’s willingness to provide through the generosity of His people.  When the answer is “yes”, help them step through the next steps.

Celebrate!  Enjoy the fact that you have been passionate and obedient. You have done your part and now you trust that God is doing His work.  You can rest in the knowledge of His goodness!