Tough Beginnings Don't Mean the Future Will Be Horrible

Guest PostFundraisingDonor MinistryInternational Stories

Jul 29

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.

Since new staff received a small start-up stipend, I made myself believe that I could live within this stipend so I wouldn’t have to “ask for money.”

And God seemed to go along with my desire to avoid fundraising. I got my first big ministry gift from someone I hardly knew. YES! This is how fundraising works! So I waited for more surprise checks, but they didn’t come, and I found myself wondering how I was going to survive.

Then I attended a Biblical Fundraising School.

I enjoyed the teaching and sharing, but I was not prepared for the practical assignment of phoning friends to set appointments to present our ministry. If only I could avoid going to the phone… but my coach didn’t let me off the hook.

Reluctantly, I phoned a married friend, and to my surprise the husband seemed eager to hear about my ministry. We locked in a date for the next evening and off I drove to their new home across Kampala.

The appointment was for dinner. Far off the main road, I finally found my way to a beautiful block of new apartments. I arrived late, but little did I know how long an evening lay ahead of me!

The husband was also late. As his wife and I waited, we talked about everything we could think of until there was nothing more to say.

I tried to keep my cool, but I felt humiliated. No way was I going to explain my discipling ministry at this late hour and ask them to give while my heart was feeling broken.

Finally at 11 p.m. the husband arrived. He didn’t have a good reason for being tardy. I felt even more humiliated—and angry. I said it was late, and I needed to head home. They both quickly agreed.

I walked out of their home hiding my tears with all my insecurities glaring at me.

As I drove into the night, stifling my sobs, I told myself, “This is the last time I will put myself through such humiliation.” I was done with fundraising!

The next day I tearfully related my story at the funding school. But my fellow trainees encouraged me not to give up. One of the trainers encouraged me to follow up my late-night friends.

I thought: “Have you not been listening to how awful they treated me? How insensitive!”

To get him off my case, I fearfully phoned this couple to set another appointment. Again, they agreed. When we met a few days later, they were attentive—and on time! They said they had already been thinking about supporting me and were grateful I had asked. They gave consistently for 3 years.

My fundraising story had a terrible beginning, but I am glad I didn’t give up. A meaningful scripture was Joshua 1:3-6:

“I will give you every place where you set your foot.... As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous.”

As God stayed with Moses, so He stays with me as I invite giving partners to join my team. His promise is that He will give me “every place I set my foot”—every call I make shall not be without effect.

He was with Moses, He has been with all those have gone before me in ministry, and He is now with me. He asks that I put timidity aside and exercise courage and TRUST. It is my testimony that God is doing with me what He promised Moses long ago.

Tough beginnings don’t mean the future will be horrible. Today, I know what it means to be fully funded! Thanks to the Lord.

Editor’s note: Susan has faithfully worked at funding her ministry with biblical principles and has been fully funded at her approved budget for over three years.