Missionary Support Raising Basics

Does support raising feel like the thing standing between you and your ministry dream? 

Missionary support raising can be intimidating, but the good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone!

Support raising is not just about getting money. It is about building a team of people who will join you in the mission.

In this blog, you will learn how a missionary raising support builds relationships and grows the Kingdom of God through ministry partnerships. 

You’ll get answers to common missionary support raising questions like:

• What is support raising?
• What is the biblical basis of support raising?
• What are effective support raising ideas for missionaries?

Let’s start with a definition of missionary support raising.

Support Raising for Missionaries Is about Friend Raising

Support raising involves rallying your own team of ministry partners who give regular financial support to fund God’s work. 

The mission agencies you explore may require you to build a support team of contacts who give monthly support to cover living expenses on the mission field. 

Christian support raising is also called “friend raising” or “people raising” because it’s a way for God’s people to come together and work toward His Kingdom purposes. 

As a missionary, you are making sacrifices to reach others with the Gospel–and local churches and fellow Christians want to take part in that!

Not everyone goes on mission trips or enters full time ministry themselves, but they can send others. When you invite people to give to missions, you invite them to join God’s work that goes beyond both of you.

The Bible tells us that God has given us community to rely on. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up…”

Your whole process of fundraising hinges on building and maintaining relationships, with God and others. 

Now, let’s dive into biblical support raising for ministry and what the Bible says about raising funds.

What the Bible Says about Raising Missionary Support

Although raising support can be difficult or feel awkward at times, it is not a foreign concept. In fact, many New Testament workers raised their own support too. 

Jesus Himself relied on the financial support of others during His ministry. So did the Apostles and the Apostle Paul in some seasons.

This model is not only practical but also deeply rooted in Scripture.

Here are some Bible verses about support raising:

1. Jesus Sends Out the 72 for Evangelism

In Luke 10:7, Jesus gives clear instructions to His disciples as He sends them out to share the Gospel:

“Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

Jesus Himself depended on the generosity of others to continue His mission. This principle is foundational to the practice of personal support raising for ministry.

2. The Apostle Paul’s Own Support from Local Churches

In Philippians 4:16, Paul writes to the church in Philippi, “…you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.” 

In this passage, we see that it is not only acceptable, but essential in some circumstances for ministry workers to rely on others for financial support.

3. The Apostle Paul’s Teaching about Missionary Support Raising

Perhaps the most direct Scripture addressing fundraising for ministry comes from Paul’s instruction about the support of those who preach the Gospel, “In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:14 

God commands those who preach and teach to receive support from the people they serve. But before that can happen, missionaries have to go and start faith communities that can become self sustaining. 

Now that you’ve learned about the biblical basis of support raising, check out the most helpful support raising ideas for building your support base!

Missions Support Raising Ideas

Support raising for short term mission trips often involves writing a letter to communicate the vision of the outreach. Whether your mission trip focus is evangelism, discipleship, or service work, sending a support letter is a good first step in support raising for missions.

A missions support raising letter template will help you craft a basic support letter and tell a compelling story about your missionary life and outreach.

You could also try missions trip fundraising ideas that are event based, such as hosting a car wash, bake sale, or 5K fun run.

But the truth is, an event or a support raising letter isn’t the best way to raise your full support as a missionary. 

Related: Don’t Write a Missionary Support Raising Letter (for long term workers) 

The most effective way to raise full support is to meet with fellow Christians face to face to share your vision for missions. 

Many support raising coaches, like Steve Shadrach, author of “The God Ask”, emphasize that asking individuals to support you is the best way to raise personal support.

Approaching individuals to ask for financial support can feel overwhelming.

You might have a lot of questions like:

• Who should I ask for missionary support?
  
• How do I do Christian fundraising without sounding salesy?
  
• Will people really want to support my work on the mission field?

Those are great questions—and you can find the answers you’re looking for in The Ultimate Guide to Fundraising for Missions. You can download this guide for free when you fill out the form below!

And finally, if you’re still not sure about the whole idea of missionary support raising, read on for some encouragement when things get tough.

Overcoming Challenges in Support Raising

Missionary fundraising for global missions is hard work. It stretches your faith and teaches humility, perseverance, and trust. 

But you are not doing this alone. God goes before you. He surrounds you. He provides what you need, when you need it.

If you ever feel stuck or discouraged, go back to the truth of God’s Word.

Spend some time slowly meditating on these Scriptures and ask the Lord for the faith to believe He will provide.

You can also use these Scriptures for encouragement:

• “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
• “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 
• “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

The process of support raising is challenging, but it is also a process where God proves His faithfulness!

Learn the Secrets to Building Your Missionary Support Base!

Remember, missions support raising doesn’t have to be intimidating. The Ultimate Guide to Fundraising for Missions is a practical resource that will walk you through what you need to know.

With this free guide, you will learn how to:

• Communicate your vision for missions by preparing a high quality presentation
• Schedule face to face support meetings with your contacts and church members
• Invite people to join your financial support team in a way that’s clear and compelling.

This resource includes an in depth checklist to brainstorm potential supporters. There is also a support raising template to write a strong support letter!

Fill out the form below to download this free guide on support raising for missionaries!