Ask a Missionary - Catch The Fire

on how much time you invest in building relationships beforehand
as well as how many appointments you make to speak to people
about support raising. My wife and I met with ninety-six family units
over four months before we were 100 percent supported. I know
others who have raised full support in ninety days. On the other
hand, another person in one year raised only 65 percent.
Either you or the agency can set a deadline, but both of you
should agree to it.
Answer from Rob, who has served for six years with Operation Mobilization.
A: Set a deadline.
You should have a deadline, because deadlines create urgency.
And urgency motivates not only the donor to give and pray on your
behalf, but it also motivates you to be proactive in your search for
funds and to be dependent upon the Lord, who has called you to
accomplish his purposes.
Urgency calls for decisions. When you ask for critically needed
funds with established deadlines, prospective or existing donors
move from “Maybe we will think about helping you sometime” mode
into “We need to make a decision now” mode, “so we can help
our brother or sister in Christ who has been guided by the Lord to
accomplish this particular vision.”
Deadlines can be powerfully effective, and I’ve watched some
amazing things take place as people and ministries set deadlines.
Maybe you need to review the vision the Lord has given you and
keep in mind that it’s really not your vision but the Lord’s agenda
you need to accomplish.
Answer from Bill Dillon, author of People Raising (see “Resources for
Further Study”).
FUNDING: Figuring It Out | 137