Many Christian missionaries and ministry leaders raise their salary and support. Through the generosity of the church and Christian donors, missions and special ministries all over the world are funded to help bring about the Gospel work.

On this podcast, Steve Gross, Hal Hamilton, Matt Henson and Tim Price talk a bit about the ministry of raising support during this pandemic. Notes and quotes from this podcast below.

*Note: Since this is a new podcast, it’s still being approved for Apple, but can be found on Spotify.

Steve Gross

Serving in Haiti

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Matt Henson

Living The Adenture

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Hal Hamilton

Cornerstone International

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Tim Price

Harvest Ministry

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Here are some quotes and notes from this podcast:

It’s often the people who don’t have tons of money who give sacrificially toward ministry and mission.

It’s hard for people to fathom how much it does cost to get a missionary family on the field. It’s counter-intuitive to think there are so many costs involved serving in countries that are poorer.

Funds come from unexpected places at unexpected times! There are the backbone givers to are with you for the long haul, then the special gifts that come at just the right time. We’ve never been in a position where we’ve raised a huge surplus. We’ve always had just enough.

It’s easy to get focused on the fear of losing support because of the fear of the economy. The way to combat the fear is the realize 1) It’s never been logical. It’s never been mathematical. It’s all God’s money and God is faithful. 2) People are motivated to give through empathy. This pandemic has brought about a spirit of empathy.

The USA is a wonderfully giving nation. We still have so many resources that even on the worst days, we’re going to be better off than so much of the world. In much of the world, if you don’t work on Monday, you don’t eat on Monday.

There’s no question that relief raises money and discipleship doesn’t as much. Too many ministries begin skewing toward relief just to raise money.

People will commit to someone they believe in. It’s out of the relationship that people will be giving to your work and ministry.

MIssionaries experience about nine times the ordinary stress of an individual. Stuff we might go process with someone, they have to take as everyday life. Those missionaries on the field are going to be hit much harder than others.

The church doesn’t need to be apologetic in this hour. People still have their phones, their subscriptions and they’re still ordering out. If we believe what we’re doing has eternal significance, we need to offer people an opportunity to give. Give to something to eternal.

In every newsletter, we let people know that there are financial needs in the ministry. The hard part now is that asking people when so many people are suffering, unemployment is so high, and the economy is hurting.

Whether it’s a sacrifice or whether it’s a surplus, we need to let people in on the partnership of mission and ministry.

Sometimes we forget there is joy in giving. Too often, we think of it as only a sacrifice. But people who give feel joy from being a part of it. We want to offer that opportunity.

The grief for those in the trenches is very real and going to get tougher.

Nehemiah heard about the city walls being torn down and just wept. We’re likely facing large amounts of struggle, starvation, and other issues relating to this. We will weep. There can be a gift in this if we can walk through it. Nehemiah was able to turn everyone’s eyes toward the project of building the wall. If this issue allows people to begin to see a more focused giving and support of kingdom mission.

At the heart of facing trauma and recovering from it is the cross and resurrection.

We can’t change the waves, we can only point people’s eyes to Jesus.

If we get into the rut of selling our story to raise the money, then we always need a new story. But if our partners are giving toward us in a relationship, we just grow with them as we serve in this ministry together.

The circle idea – let God work in me first. How is God working in me to prepare me? God always works in us before he works through us.

This is an opportunity to identify some of the lies. Culturally, we look to the government for provision and protection, much like the Israelites looked to Egypt. Instead of depending on the Lord, they looked to others. Another lie, more personal, is that we believe it’s more of what I do that matters more than who I am. After accomplishing for a lifetime, can we lay it down? It’s a difficult thing to surrender.

If God was about to do something, this desert season could be a precursor. Ample time to pray, seek God’s face and trust in new ways.

Identify the main vine and don’t prune that. Prune everything else. Fruit only grows on the new vine. The branch doesn’t do much of anything except hold on.

The more you are able to share what’s been given, the more people get excited.

I’m tired of spending my life, I want to invest my life. That’s what we’re asking people to do when they give to ministry.

If we don’t come out of this season a different person, we’ve missed a great opportunity.

SPECIAL THANKS… As with any Podcast Conversation, this could have gone on and on. Along with the words and thoughts spoken, thanks to each of the families for their unique mission and ministry.