Raising Prayer Support
When you arrive in Asia, you will quickly realise how dependent you are on God to work in and through you and how much you need your friends and family to be intentionally interceding for you. Be aware of your weaknesses and the ways you may be tempted or attacked spiritually. Some Serve Asia participants shared about a time of desperate need while they were in Asia, only to find out later that someone back home was burdened to pray for them at that exact moment!
We recommend asking at least 10 people who are close to you to be in conversation with God regularly on your behalf concerning those needs. Make them a part of your ministry to East Asia through prayer. Besides having your prayer team pray for you, they can also pray for the country where you will be serving, for specific people you will encounter, and for ongoing ministry of God’s Church in East Asia.
Raising Financial Support
OMF International is a faith-based mission, this means we depend upon God for financial provision to do His kingdom work. For nearly 150 years we have seen God provide for us during wars and recessions, as well as in times of abundance.
Although prayer should be the emphasis in raising support, fundraising for your mission trip is a reality. You may be worried about where the money will come from and whether you can raise the full amount in time. We encourage you to recruit people to pray for you first and foremost, then present your financial needs as appropriate. People will want to know your financial needs so be ready to tell them!
We know that our provision comes from God and that we want to see Him work beyond our own abilities. His provision is often a confirmation that this is also what He wants. Although the process is not easy, we lay our goals before God, work diligently and trust Him for the outcome.
Ministering to your Supporters
While they are supporting you through prayer and finance, God will also use your mission work as an opportunity to minister to your supporters. As you send out newsletters and talk to people about your trip, you raise their awareness of spiritual needs in another culture and give them an opportunity to do something about it. By doing this, you are sharing something with them that is of eternal value.
We all have a part in the Great Commission, whether in a support role, direct ministry or a combination of both. You serve them through sharing stories about what God is doing around the world and giving them a valuable role in that work. As 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 says, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. … And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you because of the all-surpassing grace God has given you…”
