While flipping through an old journal at the “McDonald’s Fine Dining Establishment,” I found a note about four friends I’d asked to support our ministry. All four had said no. I remember writing, “I’m 0-for-4 on my last four funding appeals.” It was disheartening.

If you are emotionally drained, fundraising is overwhelming! Phoning a potential donor feels like climbing Mt Everest all alone. Your heart is right, but you are out of gas. The ducks are winning!

Though most believers are not joyless givers, they’re not joyful givers either. Their giving brings them the same joy as paying a parking fine.

As a young Gospel worker, I faced fear every time I thought about calling someone to set an MPD appointment. It was not only the phone call that scared me—merely thinking about the phone call scared me!

Before I joined the Navigator ministry I figured that some people were good at fundraising—but I assumed I would not be one of them.

When missionaries are emotionally drained, fundraising and donor ministry become overwhelming! Phoning even one potential donor is impossible. "Our hearts are right, but we are out of gas--elephants are standing on our air hose!

Though painful lessons over the years, God has impressed on me these seven life management skills: