A Perspective Change: Fundraising

Because I’ve gone on several mission trips, fundraising isn’t really new to me. I’ve never done any large scale fundraising, but I understand it well. I even took a few classes on fundraising during college and was exposed to it through several nonprofit internships. So I would like to think that my outlook on fundraising should be perfected by now. But as much as I hate to admit it, to be honest, that hasn’t been the case.

I’ve known how I was supposed to feel and what my viewpoint on it should be, especially when it came to fundraising within the Body of Christ. I knew that I wasn’t supposed to just be asking people for money and that it wasn’t supposed to be simply about paying for my plane ticket and food. I knew that I was supposed to have a much more eternal perspective, but it just wasn’t clicking. I think that’s why I have been so negligent in updating past supporters about what happens on my trips, which by the way, I’m really sorry about. This time will be better, and I’m about to share why…

At 17, I stood before my church congregation to share about how I felt like God was calling me to go on a mission trip to Zambia in Africa. Awkwardly, I spoke into the microphone and said something like “Soooo ummmm….money….ummmmmm…I need that.” And I remember my pastor looking up at me and telling me that it was OK to ask the church to support me and that was what they were there for.

I think that helped me in the moment, but honestly, every single time that I’ve ever had to ask people for support for mission trips – I. just. feel. so. awkward. and. I. hate. it. It might not seem that way because I suck it up and shower my friends with relentless social media posts. But in the past, I’ve cringed when I have to hand someone a support letter. Even when I was doing something to earn money, like washing cars or selling baked goods, I still felt pathetic for needing people to give me money. I’ve felt like I was an inconvenience to people and that fundraising was simply a burden that I had to bear in order to get to the place where God was calling me. But despite my feelings, God  has provided through His people every single time that I’ve ever had a need. He never fails.

For months, I fought with the Lord about going on the World Race. I was confident that God would provide, but again, I was dreading the process of fundraising. Again, I knew I shouldn’t feel that way. But so often, even when we know what we’re supposed to think, we just simply aren’t going to “get it” until the Holy Spirit reveals it to us.

And that’s what has happened. FINALLY. As I’ve been seeking the Lord about fundraising and about His provision, it seems like my whole outlook has changed. It’s like I suddenly realize that fundraising is more than just about asking people for money so I can survive in another country. And I don’t just know it. I GET IT. God has literally made it my joy to have people partner with me in ministry, and I want everyone to be a part of what God is going to do through me on the World Race. He has shown me that I get to do the good work that He has called all of His followers to do in practice, but I can’t do it without Him using His people to resource my calling. He’s shown me that as others live out His calling for their lives here, He makes it possible to simultaneously use them to help me live out mine. He has shown me that in the same way that He is preparing me to go, He is preparing others to give. He has revealed to me the joy that I get from giving to other people in need, and shown me that it is selfish on my part to deprive others from the opportunity to give in obedience to His Word. I not only mobilize my friends, family and church body through the ministry that I’ll do in third-world countries, but my obedience and humility equips others to do the good works God has called them to right now – to honor the Lord in their finances, and to pray for and encourage fellow believers. And most of all, He has just made the truth that it all belongs to Him anyway such a reality to me. Praise Him!

And it’s so awesome, because after God began to make this change in my heart I actually read the page on the World Race website about fundraising and it says this:

“Fundraising is a part of your journey and is ministry just like feeding orphans, preaching in churches, and visiting hospitals. You need both the financial support and prayer support from family, friends, and church partners and they need you to share the stories of what God is doing all over the world. Your donors send you out as an ambassador to nations. They send you out with the love and good news of the salvation and hope that is available in Jesus Christ. It's time we changed our thinking about fundraising. It's no longer about finding and getting the money to pay for your airplane tickets. Fundraising is about connecting the entire Body of Christ to minister in every nation. As the one who is going on this trip, you are responsible for proclaiming God's good works to those who are investing their prayers, time, and money in sending you out. You are building a network of people who are doing ministry with you and Adventures in Missions. We ask people to support us because we want to invite them to be a part of the ministry. Fundraising is about the body of Christ joining together to see God's Kingdom come.”

It just totally confirmed what God had been speaking to me about fundraising! And now I get it – in theory, in practice and in my heart!

And it gets even better! Because since the Lord has revealed this to me, I have had so much joy in asking people to be a part of what God is going to do in the nations! When people donate money, I get excited – not because I'm closer to my goal (although that is exciting) but because they get to join me in ministry! I’ve let go of my burden, and I’ve been able to simply sit back and allow God to provide and HE HAS DONE MORE THAN I COULD ASK OR THINK.

I didn’t really even start asking people to support me until after I graduated and returned from family vacation, so about mid-May. Well, it is only mid-June and I am overwhelmingly blown away by God’s provision because at this point I have $12,146.49 in my World Race account, and I am about send in another $1700 tomorrow morning, which brings me to almost $14,000. (Check the side navigation bar of my blog to see my most updated support report!)

And that’s not all! What makes this even more amazing is that:
1. All of my financial deadlines leading up to the WR are met! All I have to do is be fully funded before I’m six months into the race.
2. I’ve been praying to be fully funded before September, and it certainly looks like that will happen. PTL.
3. I feel like I haven’t even done anything, so clearly it’s all God! All I did was meet with my church’s missions board and speak at church. Most of my support letters are ready to be mailed, but I’ve been waiting to see if I even have to. I think I can mail out significantly less than I originally was preparing to send out…
4. I’m not even exaggerating when I say that I  literally wish I had to raise more money at this point so that more people could be a part what God is going to do in the nations!

So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all of those who have already supported me! I'm so excited for what God is doing in all of us!