We have prayerfully entered into each season God has been leading us through, while also seeking the guidance of those who have gone before me and church leaders who have insight in the world of ministry and missions.
There are the books that we will reference as they were the resources for the bible studies we went through to establish the foundation of our values are "The God Ask" by Steve Shadrach, "People Raising" by William Dillon, "A Spirituality of Fundraising" by Henri Nouwen, and "Funding Your Ministry" by Scott Morton. Each was suggested to us and are the books that help guide the process for many large organizations such as Intervarsity and CRU.
Scriptural Basis for Support Raising:
Old Testament
Scripture supports the idea that God is ultimately in charge of providing for His people- beyond strategy or efforts (although it is a part of our faithfulness to put in hard work and strategy as He leads):
- God provided time and time again for the Israelites (Exodus 16:13-17; Joshua 5:12; I Kings 17:1-6)
- God also put into place a structure for the support of those in ministry (Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; II Chronicles 31:4), in fact the Old Testament ends with a strong rebuke to the nation of Israel for not giving tithes for the support of those in full time ministry (Malachi 3:8)
- More Scripture in the Old Testament referring to biblical fundraising via Navigators: Exodus 25:1-2; 35:4-5; Numbers 8:14; Deuteronomy 16:17; I Samuel 9:7-8; Nehemiah 2:1-8; 13:14; I Kings 17:1-16; Nehemiah 2:1-8; 13:14; and Proverbs 30:7-9.)
- God's plan was that the people as a group should provide for those in ministry- God provides, and often uses His people do so.
New Testament
- In Jesus' ministry, He allowed others to minister to Him physically and materially, and was not embarrassed to receive help as they gave Him of their resources (goods, possessions, and property). (Luke 8:1-3) For those of you with the belief that all missions work should be done in the way of Paul through tent-making- he was also supported by donors (Phillipians 4:14-16; I Corinthians 9:14 and II Corinthians 8-9).
- Jesus' Disciples were sent by direction of Jesus to give themselves fully to ministry, not to earn a living- this was them depending on God to supply (Matthew 10:5)
- God's plan for provision for those involved with full-time ministry, again, is through His people (Matthew 10:5-15), and this results in blessing! (Matthew 10:11)
- This continues after Jesus' Ascension, as Paul starts his missionary journey and expects fellow believers to help with provision (Romans 15:24; II Corinthians 1:15-16; I Corinthians 16:6; Phillipians 4:10-20).
- More Scripture in the Old Testament referring to biblical fundraising via Navigators: Luke 10:1-8; 16:10-12; 21:1-4; 22:35-38; John 12:3-8; Acts 10:2-4; 18:3-5; 20:33-35; Romans 15:20-24; II Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 6:6; I Thessalonians 2:9; II Thessalonians 3:7-9; and I Timothy 5:17-18; 6:17).
Implications:
Support raising is a part of, and a ministry in of itself. It is an opportunity to share the vision of what God has been calling us to be a part of in a part of His greater ministry to this world! Support raising is bringing partners together to be a part of the Great Commission by inviting people to give back to God some of His resources for His work! Giving financially is acknowledging that God has ownership of everything, and giving is a part of obedience if that is what God puts on your heart after prayer.
Therefore, we believe that it is appropriate to share the needs of this ministry calling God has for us, so that we may find partners both in prayer and finances! If you are interested in being one of those partners: