Articles and Devotionals
to help you in your fundraising journey
Do the Small Things of Fundraising Discourage You?
This week I received a note saying:
“I feel charged after a funding appointment, love it. BUT the management of database, emailing, texting, phone calling to get one appointment, drains me.”
Our friend is not alone. Many gospel-workers long to accomplish big things, but little administrative things kill their joy. I get it. That’s when Zechariah 4:10 helps me...
80% is not full funding!
A few years ago I met a missionary who wanted to increase his support. “We don’t ask. We just minister to people and some of them give. God is taking care of us,” he said proudly....
A Golfing Tip Helps Launch Your Funding Plans!
A famous 3-step tip for improving your golf game goes like this. After playing a round of golf where you scored badly, resolve to do better! But do not go to the practice range! Instead:
Go to the clubhouse and order a cool drink.
As you relax take your scorecard and study it slowly. Discern specifically where mistakes…
How I Overcame a Lifetime of Fear in Fundraising!
Years ago I conducted my first fund raising home appeal in Singapore. Ten friends from my church waited eagerly to hear me. They were not strangers—I knew them all by name. But I was nervous—I’d never asked face-to-face before.
As I walked into the house, everything seemed so dark. The window blinds were down and I felt a strange gloom…
Asking Others to do What You Don't?
Recently a friend strongly exhorted me to use a certain type of health supplement which he used daily. The veins in his neck bulged out as he evangelized me about the how this supplement would “do wonders for me.”
Avoid Financial Bondage In Three Words
Even if you are fully funded you will experience financial bondage if you neglect Jesus’ parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25.
You know the story. Ten virgins planned to attend a wedding. Five wise virgins took extra oil for their lamps, but five foolish virgins “took no oil with them.” (Matthew 25:5)
How Little Can I Give?
A friend recently said that when he stopped to think about the often quoted words of 2 Corinthians 9:7—“God loves a cheerful giver”—his response was, “So how much do I need to decrease my giving so that I can give joyfully?”
At least he was honest! Would we admit to a similar feeling?
Was Jesus Joyful?
Lately I've been asking people this question: Was Jesus a joyful person?
My friends are puzzled and they want to say yes, but then I ask, "What proof is there that Jesus was joyful?" What do you think?
From my study so far, here are three answers and a fourth surprising one!
Are Elephants Standing On Your Emotional Air Hose?
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: