What does your family think about your fundraising?

• Consider you a spiritualized beggar

• Embarrassed and hope you don’t appeal to their friends

• “Okay” with your decision to go into ministry but don’t understand what you do

• Assume you will be poor all your life and that they will have to subsidize you 100% behind you in your choice to go into gift-income ministry

The Mombasa Solution is needed!

The Mombasa Kenya Nav team under Timm and Carol Njuguna, gathered Thursday mornings to work on funding—together! Their agenda:

• Share successes and disappointments on funding since the last meeting

• Study scriptures and pray

• Phone prospective donors to set appointments

I was on the phone last week with a potential giving partner who told me about encounters she and her husband have had with missionaries. Here are two conclusions from our conversation based on her experiences.

During my travels I hear increasing comments questioning the value of personal support, such as: 

• “Since deputized fundraising is going away….”

• “Raising personal support was for a previous generation.”

• “Since people are not faithful in giving for missions we must focus on the business model of funding.”

Last week, I accompanied a missionary friend I am coaching on a fundraising appointment. As I listened to him present his dazzling vision, it occured to me that I did not hear the three toxic phrases. It was refreshing.

How about you? Do these toxic words come out of your mouth or your computer?

What seven words will bring you new ministry partners? How about:

• Help me. I have a big need!

• Please pray about our personal financial support!

• Please send big money. I’ll explain later!

8. I could give a lot more

6. If I am invited to support other projects I will not drop you