2) You are helping people in other countries – Since we are all one church body missionaries are like the nerve endings, taking the message of faith, love, and encouragement throughout the body. When you send missionaries out into the word you are not only contributing to building communities and spreading the gospel, you are encouraging the people that are effected by your missionaries work. When you send missionaries you are allowing others to be the practical showing of Christ love in places where the people simply don’t have the resources to come to you.
3) You are representing your country – When you send missionaries out you are sending ambassadors to the nations to show what real Americans look like. Before they meet us many people believe all American’s are white and rich, some people also believe we are all stupid and generally inappropriate. In some countries “The Young and the Restless” is their only example of “real” American life. I can’t guarantee I’ll be correcting the stupid stereotype. World racers are definitely not rich and I am definitely not white, so when you support our mission you are participating in revolutionizing diplomatic relations between America and the world.
4) They are praying for you – Most of us have prayed for countries before, Haiti and China after the earthquakes. Pakistan and Romania after the floods, but did you know they are praying for you too? Did you know that in the Sunday program in Busia, Kenya, listed among the prayer request is the United States? People that we think of as disadvantaged aren’t sitting and feeling sorry for themselves, they are praying for the nations, not just the poor ones, but all the nations. That sounds pretty friendly to me, and why wouldn’t you send help to a friend?
5) You are building up the church a.k.a. Christian rehab – What’s the answer to stagnation and back biting in the modern American church? Jesus! Unfortunately many people have Jesus confined to a small box in their lives and don’t even begin to know how to let Him out. The World Race gives young Christian missionaries a chance to experience Jesus outside of that box. It gives them the opportunity to seek His face in the nations of the world and allows them to live out the many local flavors of Jesus. It gives practical experience in loving the unlovable, touching the untouchable, and letting that which truly does not matter, slide. It is an accelerated course in dying to ones self and walking in faith.
6) The Domino effect – “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened” Matt 13:33. When a life is changed by the power of Jesus Christ it is impossible for that life not to change the lives that touch it. When you invest in missions you aren’t only investing in overseas communities you are investing in your own community, in your own life. The missionaries you support are irrevocably changed by their experiences and bring that back into their communities, their home churches, their friends and their families. True change is built one person at a time, one perspective at a time, one action at a time. Supporting the World Race is supporting whole squads of young men and women in breaking down the walls the world has built in them, a whole squad of iron sharpening iron, rebuilding and refining them so they can return to you changed and better and give others a practical example of the dramatic work the Holy Spirit can do when given the opportunity.
7) Invest in something permanent – Contrary to once popular belief property speculation might not be the best place to invest your money. Missions however is the wave of the future with infinite return possibilities. Not only are you effecting countless lives that will eventually effect those of your friends and family but you are storing up treasure in heaven. Yes, that’s right treasure in heaven! Now you’re thinking “wow, how do I get in on that action?”. Well let me tell you !!! “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” , talk about security, Fort Knox has nothing on this place.
8) You probably don’t actually want to go yourself– So there are some people who would really love to do missions and just need the opportunity but I know there are a lot more people who hear about the world race and think “I would love to take a year long vacation” and I’m talking to you. I am not gonna lie, its pretty sweet to live in exotic locations and not have a 9-5 job to tie you down, but when you are tossing and turning in your leaking tent in the pouring rain after having smiled your way through your traditional guest meal of chicken comb after a long day of manual and office labor that you are not getting paid for you may question what kind of vacation you signed up for *.
9) God said so – O.K. so I tried to let you out the easy way, but if you still aren’t sold then I think you should know, God told you to. “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. There pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” Matt 9: 37-38, so you prayed and we have been sent and now we are asking for your financial support “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Matt 5:42 ” Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back” Luke 6:31, I think that’s about as clear as it is gonna get.
