When I signed up for The World Race, the part that was the hardest for me to accept was that I had to ask people for money so that I could travel. I thought about it and told God I didn’t want to be a beggar. I thought it was ridiculous that I wanted others to work while I got to travel the world and see amazing cultures off of their wages. After studying more in the word about what support raising looks like I have found a few promises that have given me more of a peace about it.
First off, I wasn’t just going to travel the world while others sat back and watched. I was going to spread the Word of God and bring His love to those who have never had the chance to know it. I wasn’t asking people to give me money so I could travel the world, but asking them to be a part of something bigger- the Gospel being spread to nations. To partner with me in being the hands and feet of Christ, enabling me to spread the news, and be a mouthpiece for the Gospel.
Secondly, I was frustrated with missionaries. Why would we ask for money all the time, but not do the “hard work” of working in a secular world where we don’t work with Christians all day everyday? Yes, being a missionary is hard. Yes, being a minister is hard. But, it is no harder than working in a job where no one believes in God. These people are also being missionaries where they were placed. I then came to realize, we are both missionaries, but in different ways. We are all called to be missionaries where we are and called to support those doing the work of our Father.
Thirdly and most importantly, what does the word say about this? Well, a verse that stuck out to me the most was 1 Corinthians 9: 14 “In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” This verse is discussing Paul’s rights and the church’s responsibility. The church must support its workers in a fair and equitable way. This was crazy to me when I read it because I was always so against asking for money but once I knew it was something that was set up even in Paul’s day and is still true today, I gained peace about support raising to do God’s work.
As of now, I have $14,300 and I need $15,500 in total. This means I still need $1,200 to stay on the race. The deadline to meet this was Dec 31st so I am in a time crunch. Please consider the following:
Steps of Action: What can you do?
1. Pray: What is God asking you to do specifically? Pray that he lays it on your heart to support or if you know of someone that might support that you know, he would lay them on your heart.
2. Go to my blog: Visit candiceshuffield.theworldrace.org and see what I have been up to on the race and exactly what it is you are supporting. You can also donate by clicking on SUPPORT ME in the left hand column of the blog site.
3. Send in your Donation: Make sure you put Candice Shuffield in the memo line of the check to insure it goes to me and make checks payable to Adventures in Missions.
Mail checks to: Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 53447
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
Thanks so much for all your support and willingness to go to the Lord with this. I know he will provide and I can’t wait to see the big things he does. Let’s partner together and make this happen!
