Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember my recent meals. Can you instantly recall yesterday’s lunch, or the dinner you had the day before that? I’m realizing how much of a consumer mentality I have, and while in Albania the Lord showed me one area where it’s a problem. That area?
You. My supporters. Sorry to just come out and say it like that, but this is a “no holding back” kind of post. It’s about to get real.
I’m reading a book called “The God Ask” by Steve Shadrach that teaches ministry workers how to ask for, and honor, financial support. It has been eye opening and has shone its light into some dark places of my ministry. But let me back up and tell you why this book has affected me so much. (Get ready for some backstory!)
In January 2013, I traveled to Sudan to visit missionaries with a best friend and a pastor from my university. These missionaries were the first people I had ever met who radically displayed Jesus. They could have stayed in the Western, comfortable world, but instead chose a life of hot sand, foreign languages, robbery, imprisonment, and beatings by the state’s secret police. I saw the gospel lived out.
I came home from Sudan fired up for missions and one year later the Lord brought me to Adventures in Missions and the World Race. But in Sudan, the Lord had planted a seed in my heart that subtly, quietly grew. I was unaware of it while I was on my Race, and I was only slightly more aware of it while in Georgia working for Adventures.
And then I came to Greece. 75% of the refugees that I work with are Arab; when I step into a refugee camp, I step out of Greece and into the Middle East. And when I “stepped into the Middle East”, I realized something that my heart had known all along, but my brain was too distracted to notice: I’m called to full-time ministry, and I’m called to the Arab world.
This is where you come in. While on the Race, and while in the Fellowship, I subconsciously viewed supporters with a consumer mindset. You gave me money and support, and I consumed it to feed me in ministry. But I’m tired of that! I know with all of my heart I will be in ministry for the long run, and I’m tired of consuming things to sustain myself. Instead, I want to be a connoisseur.
A connoisseur appreciates. A connoisseur takes it slow, is grateful, and honors the provision. A connoisseur is knowledgeable, dedicated, and captivated by the provision. A connoisseur knows that the provision serves a greater purpose than just consumption; it is to be honored, enjoyed, and celebrated. That is my desire: I want to appreciate you, honor you, celebrate you and dedicate myself to you. I want to be proud of the work that you have done by sowing into me as I sow into others. You deserve it, and the Lord commands it.
This is why the book “The God Ask” has hit me so hard. I have been a consumer for far too long, and I apologize for my dishonor towards you. I have taken you for granted and done little to recognize your incredible work in building the Kingdom through your support of me. I’m changing. And now, instead of asking for your support, I want to ask you a different question:
Can we be on a team?
I want to do this with you, alongside you, together! I want to be your teammate, sharing in everything together. The Body of Christ is a beautiful thing, and I want to be the hands and feet to your heart, brain, and lungs. I can only go if you send me and support me, but I want to go with you as one team building His majestic and powerful Kingdom. (I also just finished reading “Total Abandon” by Gary Witherall. In his book, Gary tells the story about living and ministering with his wife in Lebanon until she was murdered by terrorists. This book showed me to an extreme level the need for a team. Dark times will come, and I need a team to see me through them.)
So, I ask again with a new heart and a new mind: Can we be on a team? Can we do this thing together? I am committed and I am called. I can honestly hardly contain my joy about building his Kingdom with you! It’s freeing, invigorating, and how he designed the Kingdom to work. I’m digging deep, preparing my foundation for a long career in ministry, and I need a team to back me up.
I want to connect with you and discuss being on the same team, how you can support me and how I can honor you. If you feel the Lord leading you to join me in ministry, please let me know so I can pray for you, stay in contact with you, and share with you in the challenges and the celebrations. Let’s do this together!
My email is [email protected], I am on Facebook, or you can comment on this post. I will talk to you soon!
May his grace and peace be with you,
Reid Mason
In order to fund this work here in Greece for Adventures in Missions, I need to raise $3,000 by the end of April. I know the Lord will provide; I’m exactly where he wants me to be, and humbly asking for help is exactly how we wants to provide for this ministry. Thank you for praying about a special gift towards this $3000 deadline!
