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Raising funds for missionary work is an essential part of missions, something that Christian missionaries overseas and in the U.S. need to do to maintain their presence in the field and their ministry activities. When missionaries establish a healthy level of financial and prayer support, the focus shifts into maintaining all that support. However, sometimes the unexpected hits and missionaries don’t know what to do. In January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced on the global scene causing international mass panic and chaos. With more than 140,000 deaths worldwide in the first three months of 2020, including more than 34,000 in the U.S. alone, COVID-19 quickly became one of the most severe challenges humanity has faced in the 21st century.
sustaining you missionary support
Charities were and are not immune to such an economic tornado! On the contrary, statistics show that giving to charity takes the biggest hit in such a situation. When people look into cutting their expenses, usually, it is charitable giving that gets the first hit. According to Fidelity Charitable, 46% of donors are planning on decreasing or stopping their charity giving until situations go back to normal.
It is in situations like this that missionaries need to rethink their strategies in sustaining their financial support, including the way missionaries send updates, the contents of these updates, and the way organizations process missionary donations.
What should missionaries do?
First and foremost, missionaries need to keep in mind that their hope and trust are not in their donors or support; rather, it is in God! YHWH-Jireh; God who provides. 1 John 4:4 teaches us that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world!” So, first and foremost, trust in God’s provision! Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Secondly, we can encourage our donors to update their payment method. The reality of the 21st century is that everything takes place online, missionaries can encourage their donors to send their support online. Automate missionary support is not an option anymore; it is a need!
Why automated giving?
Automate your missionary support means that your donors set up their recurring donations to take place automatically via a secure online platform. According to a recent survey, donors who give via regular checks or cash are the first to cut their giving at times of distress, and they are the most likely to skip a donation or two because they forget to write checks, and most missionaries function on a limited budget and can’t afford to lose regular donors. Using a robust and secure online platform to automate missionary support is a vital part of the ministry of all missionaries. It ensures a smooth and consistent flow of funds to the missionary, while also providing security and ease for your donors.
Missionaries who use a robust online giving platform notice a 12% increase in their monthly giving, and 80% Donor Retention Rate (DRR).
How can Mission Quest help?
Mission Quest is a missionary service agency that offers a reliable, secure, and easy-to-use donation process platform that enables donors to give one time or recurring donations using Credit Card or ACH. Recurring ACH donations are exactly the same as sending regular checks, but even safer and benefits both the missionary and donors. Credit Card donations are secure, but like any transaction, there is a small fee required by the credit card company; however, donors will build Credit Card points as a perk. Mission Quest’s online giving platform has systems in place to ensure that donor details are kept secure and properly managed. Our missionary service agency is the perfect solution to process donations for missionaries.
In Mission Quest, we have built our systems to ensure that missionaries on the field would not only survive but also thrive. Due to our cutting-edge donation platform, we are able to automate all of the missionary support to help people give without leaving the comfort of their homes. This is a great way to sustain your missionary support.
Even our donors notice the efficiency and ease of using Mission Quest’s platform in their testimonials. One of our donors, Elmer C, said, “This was the easiest, most enjoyable giving platform I have ever used. Thanks.”
Another donor agreed and echoed Elmer in his testimonial stating, “I have been donating to a missionary for about ten months. Mission Quest has been fantastic to work with. I have received monthly receipts regularly and receipts for any special donations. They are so helpful and caring. It has been a great experience with Mission Quest. I have called the office on several occasions and had wonderful experiences. The company is very on the ball and so easy to work with. The person I have talked to is very respectful, kind, and helpful. I am glad to be able to work with such a reputable company.”
We are a dependable home office for all our missionaries, and we might be the perfect fit for you as well. Please take a minute to read more about who we are and what we do, then reach out to us to see how we can join hands in serving our Lord!
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