raising $upport
Posted by Drew | Filed under General
In addition to being a support coach, my other official assignment for the summer is to raise support. Often I talk to people who know that’s one of my summer objectives and they ask me how that’s going. My responses vary, but always the same thoughts go through my head. “You know I really ought to start working on that…” I think I’ve grown quite comfortable with the reliable consistency of the Lord’s provision over the past few years. And knowing that my task is so much smaller this year than it was last year, I feel very tempted to put off support raising until… well, that’s another problem — I don’t even have an until for putting it off. Even as I type this, my anxiety level is still very low. But it raises a little as I remember the challenges I faced both years in Italy as my support waned significantly towards the end of my time there. And noting that many supporters have been less than consistent over the past few months (I say that not to criticize, but to observe… I definitely understand how hard it is to stay consistent… I have no choice but to set up automatic drafts for people I support), I see that there is a fairly significant need for me to raise additional funds.
So here’s where I am. Additional one time expenses should be around $7,000 between plane tickets, various conferences, travelling costs and other small items. Also since January I’m averaging about $5-600 short of my original monthly goal (not including annual gifts that I count as monthly contributions), so I’d like to be able to raise that amount while I’m still in America. It will be especially needed since I’ll lose about 20% to the exchange rate.
Right now I’m trying to plan out my summer. Most of the time I’ll be in Auburn. For two weeks I’m hoping to be able to take two seminary courses in Orlando through Crusade, but that will depend on my support raising schedule. I have one week of training in Colorado to attend, and my leave date is sometime around the first of September. I’d like to be able to meet with as many people as possible, and I’ll most likely need to meet new people who can join my support team. Some good friends in Nashville have offered to host a dessert one night for me to meet some of their friends and share about what I’m doing. If anyone else in Tupelo or wherever is willing to do the same, it would help me tremendously. Otherwise, you can visit www.give.ccci.org/give/0544692 to give online, or to find information on other ways to give.
I have truly enjoyed raising support for ministry. Sharing with others about the privilege of being called by God to this ministry is always encouraging for me. But also knowing that I have a team of supporters who are excited about what I’m doing, and excited to be a part of it with me, and most importantly praying for me as I serve in the field is an amazing blessing. Thank you to all of my current supporters, and thank you to everyone else who would consider joining my team of ministry partners in reaching Italians, or Auburn students, or whoever else for Christ.
