there are a lot of questions out there as to why missionaries have to
raise support, what it really goes to, and there are other lies that
supporters and missionaries alike ask themselves. I’m going to tackle
them because, really, the father of lies has had his grip on people’s
support networks for too long and I want to bust his grimy hands off of
it.
Take what I do for example. I work in the marketing and innovation department at Adventures In Missions. I also work directly with the World Race program. Essentially, I’m a communicator and a storyteller. I work best when what I’m doing involves creating and casting vision through the means of media or voice.
Now, I could fall into a trap and tell my supporters that all I do is work with the World Race and the marketing and innovation department at AIM. But that’s thinking narrowly and doesn’t communicate what’s really going on. Why?
It’s because the overall vision of AIM is to create over 10,000 disciple-makers over the next five years. By following God, AIM creates opportunities for individuals to reach our world. It’s an organization that’s been to over 64 countries and built relationships with individuals and churches, mobilized the church in America and overseas, discipled thousands, and it responsible for helping create one of the biggest births of hope to countries that were once hopeless.
Since its inception, AIM has sent out over 80,000 missionaries all across the world. The best part is that there is so much fruit as evidence. The fruit is overseas, the fruit is within American borders, and a lot of it’s also working for the organization now. What’s even more incredible, is that AIM keeps growing. At the beginning it had a goal of creating over 10,000 disciple-makers… but I feel like that number should be more like 100,000.
What’s come out of AIM is orphan advocacy programs, business opportunities in third-world nations, pastors who work in America and overseas, church planters, justice care workers, and more.
It’s a lot better than, “I just work for the marketing and innovation department.” No, I am a part of the team that calls all of these individuals who change the world to action. I’m a part of the group that’s responsible for getting the pastors, church planters, justice care workers, and others to the field and into the awareness that they are who they are.
It’s vital that you communicate this kind of thing to your support base. Without it, they’ll think you’re just traveling the world on vacation.
P.S. I’m trying to raise support for 2010 so that I can continue in this ministry I’m a part of. So far I’ve got eleven prayer partners and nine financial partners. If you’d be interested in partnering with me in my ministry, send me an email here and let me know whether you want to be a prayer partner, financial partner, or both. If you’re willing to be a financial partner, please let me know how much you’d be willing to donate. It will help me in figuring out how well we’re doing in reaching my support goal. Thanks!
