FUNDRAISING.
Oh yeah! Arguably the best and worst part of mission work.
Fundraising has such a bad taste for a lot of people. Maybe due to the fact that it feels like peddling for something you don’t deserve, or that instead of asking for the money you should have been working and saving for it. But I think that is an American mindset, not a Kingdom mindset. In reality, all the money under the stewardship of Christians or otherwise is the Lord’s.
I have been reading a book recently called “The Giver and the Gift” written by the CEO of HOPE International. It has been fascinating to learn about his approach on fundraising. It is not meant to be a faceless handout from one person to another, or from one person to an organization. He calls that “the Oliver Twist Approach” to fundraising. It is meant to be a PARTNERSHIP. Think Benson and Stabler, Bonnie and Clyde…okay poor example when talking about money…how about Moses and Aaron. ANYWAY. The point is I am not simply looking for handouts. I need money, yes, but I need the entirety of the body of Christ praying for me and giving spiritual wisdom if I am going to make it around the world in 11 months.
I love analogies, so let’s think of the World Race like a bridge. I am a messenger and the bridge is the method by which the gospel is being carried to the world.
Okay, so what makes up a bridge?
Purpose, foundation, supports, (see where I’m going with this?), materials to make up the actual transportation surface, and a transitional area to get on and off.
So at this point I hope you know the Purpose of this World Race bridge, if not, please stop and go read my first blog post. If yes, then please feel free to continue. The Foundation is the basis or groundwork of anything. For me that is Christ and his promise from 2 Timothy 2:21 that says “…he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” My foundation is also in my family, who is continuing to push and encourage me daily in my pursuit of a January departure. That bring us to the Supports. That’s you. If you’re like me looking at the picture above you think…
“Mags?” Yes? “The supports are the bridge.” You’re exactly right.
Please hear me when I say this.
Your support is NOT primarily monetary.
Even now that is scary for me to say. But in reality I would be more woefully unequipped for this race if I went fully funded but without the incredible wisdom, life experience and love so many of you have to offer than if I left with that bar at the top of my blog full. (Again, if you haven’t seen it go check it out.)
I get to ask you to come alongside me and give me your wisdom, guidance, money, but most importantly: prayers.
To continue with the analogy, let’s move to the Materials. If you have already been asked to participate in physically equipping me for the race, you know who you are and THANK YOU!!! (If you have not been asked but you want to help please COMMENT so I can let you know how you can get on board!!)
The other part of this materials analogy is that while there are going to be the individuals who give large and/or regular amounts to support this bridge, there are also the people
(*cough* students-and-recent-grads *cough*) who do not have a lot of extra money at their disposal. Y’all. Here’s a little perspective for you.
If every one of my Facebook friends gave $15.83 I would be fully funded.
That’s like… 2 Chipotle bowls or 3 trips to Starbucks or 1 organization T-shirt. But those are the amounts that are the nails in the boardwalk that make up the rest of the bridge. DO NOT THINK THAT IS INSIGNIFICANT OR UNNECESSARY! I need both the trusses and the boardwalk to make this bridge operational. So if you’re an individual who has been gifted with the resources to give $500, $1000, $2000 please PRAYERFULLY consider partnering in that way. If you’re able to give $10, $20, $40, please PRAYERFULLY consider that option as well. Either way please make sure that your gift is out of genuine agreement with what the World Race is about (go read their mission statement and cruise around their website) and a response to a spiritual calling to partner with me. If you’re thinking this is just a trip for me to jet around the world for a year gathering fodder for a killer Instagram feed, I don’t blame you, but please don’t give right now.
We all have time, talents and treasures that belong to the Lord. My commitment to the World Race is my response to the spirit’s calling to use my specific gifts and personality for his kingdom. Until next time…Gig’em and God bless.
