Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
How extensive is the work of the Christian Reformed Church through World Missions? World Missions has missionaries in more than 20 countries, and through partnerships our work extends to more than 30 countries. Through World Missions, the CRC employs about 60 career missionaries abroad (110 adults) and has more than 100 short-term missionaries working overseas during any given year. World Missions budget is $13.3 million (USD) for the 2009-2010 fiscal year (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010). Take a look at World Missions 2009-2010 Annual Report and Budget to learn more. How does World Missions meet its financial needs and how are the funds used? World Missions receives its income from several different sources, including:
For more information about World Missions income and budget breakdown, please see Where Does My Money Go. How much does it cost to support the ministry of a missionary for one year? Allocation of personnel costs for a missionary serving with World Missions:
For more information about allocation of personnel costs for a missionary serving with World Missions, please see Where Does My Money Go. Do missionaries with World Missions need to raise their own support? Yes and no... Because of the partnerships developed with supporters, missionaries are in the best position to present their support needs (prayer, care, and financial) to churches and individuals. World Missions does ask its missionaries to actively challenge churches and individuals to help raise at least 60% of their total costs:
If a missionary's support is short any given month, World Missions has covenanted to provide for their financial needs. Career and associate missionaries are assured that their salaries will be met. The support teams of World Missions USA and Canada are busy seeking to inform churches and individuals about the support needs of our missionaries and their ministry. The Christian Reformed Church has a wonderful record of missions support. Support raising is a joint effort involving the church, World Missions, and the missionaries. What about denominational ministry shares? Of church-related giving to CRWM, ministry shares supports about 40% of the cost to send and keep missionaries overseas. It is a wonderfully efficient way for the members of the CRCNA to be involved in international ministry. What is a missions partnership? In Romans 10:15, the apostle Paul identifies two important components of missions -- those who "go" and those who "send." Therefore, churches and missionaries become Partners in Missions. To be most effective on the mission field, missionaries need to have a strong prayer, care and financial support team of committed churches and individuals behind them. "Goers" and "senders" are two halves of a whole team which God uses to proclaim Christ to the ends of the earth. A partnership, by definition, is something in which both parties are committed to a common goal, and they work together to achieve it. Missionaries and churches work together to tell the world about Jesus, one person at a time. They encourage one another, pray for each other and share progress and challenges. As a result, both parties are strengthened in their vision and mission and God is glorified. Missionaries and staff are committed to encourage partner churches through regular prayer, regular communication such as prayer letters and visits, and a promise to receive the financial support with gratitude and to use it wisely. How "healthy" is financial support for missionaries? Of church-related giving to CRWM, about 60% is through what we call "above ministry share giving" -- this refers to churches and individuals who financially support a missionary or field project. How can a church support its missionaries? With a large number of churches involved in many missionary partnerships, it is important to focus on the quality of these relationships. Email and skype make it easier and more efficient to give encouragement and to share mutual prayer requests. Prayer -- Missionaries with World Missions testify to the power of prayer in the effectiveness of their ministries. Include requests from your missionary's prayer letters in congregational prayer, prayer chains or bulletin announcements. Share with them congregational prayer needs and praises. Care and Communication -- One of the biggest challenges a World Missions missionary faces is loneliness. Family and church members can do so much through loving messages sent through letters or by email, as well as warm welcomes when missionaries are on home service. Gifts -- More and more church members are giving to financially support the ministries of individual missionaries. Our missionaries count on this committed prayer, care, and financial support. Pentecost - Every year World Missions encourages Christian Reformed Churches to take a special offering for World Missions in their celebration of Pentecost. This is a great time to celebrate the connection of the Holy Spirit and missions. Pentecost 2010 is on May 23. Special Projects - Support for projects assists your missionaries in reaching out and in equipping others for ministry, both physically and spiritually. A list of projects from literacy materials and Bibles to motorcycles can be found on our website or upon request from the World Missions offices. How can my congregation learn more about World Missions? World Missions has Regional Missions Mobilizers (RMMs) in various areas who are trained and eager to help individual congregations develop their vision for missions. Find the RMM for your classis. World Missions encourages congregations to appoint a Missions Advocate who serves as a contact person between their church and World Missions. These Missions Advocates work with the Regional Mission Mobilizer. The World Missions resource brochure lists materials such as videos, posters, brochures, etc. that you can use to raise awareness for missions. Bulletin covers and other publications are also available through Faith Alive. World Missions' website can provide you with a great deal of information. Log on at www.crwm.org. |
