- 01. How are the missions funded?
- 02. Who came up with the idea of raising support?
- 03. I’m willing to do what God wants, but i don’t feel comfortable raising support. What should I do?
- 04. What should I expect to gain from an Impact mission?
- 05. Can I get a job during my mission?
- 06. Can my mission count as course credit?
- 07. Where will I live?
- 08. What do my parents need to know?
- 09. Who will I be going on my mission with?
01. How are the missions funded?TOP
The participants of our summer missions are asked to trust the Lord to raise all or a portion of the funds required for the missions program they are participating in. Each mission will have it’s own guidelines, timeline, and details about how much needs to be raised and by when. An Impact staff member will walk along side you and help train you on how to raise your support.
02. Who came up with the idea of raising support?TOP
Nearly 3,300 years ago, God designed a comprehensive financial plan that would adequately provide the salaries and benefits of His full-time workers. In the book of Numbers, God called the Levites to be His first full-time ministers.
There were plenty of qualified and motivated laymen (i.e. Moses, Joshua, Caleb) to work in the tabernacle, but God was looking for more than part-time help and summer lifeguards. He wanted to meet the demanding spiritual needs of the nation, and even the most dedicated workers could not possibly meet these needs, in their spare time alone.
So, God created a position for vocational ministers in His kingdom, and these first full-time workers, the Levites, were instructed to rely on God for their income and financial stability.
The Lord tells Aaron in Numbers 18:20,21 “…I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel…to the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform…” (See also Deuteronomy 18:1,2.)
The Lord staked His credibility on providing financial security for His servants. While the nation of Israel worked the land and faced the financial uncertainties of drought, disease and famine, the Lord promised to provide for the Levites through the tithes and offerings of their countrymen.
In addition, when God set up His employee pay scale, His checking account was not overdrawn (Numbers 18:8-13). He demanded that His workers be well cared for. The Lord instructed the people to set aside the “most holy gifts” and “the best of the fresh wine and of the grain” for His ministers. The Israelites were charged with the responsibility of providing for the finances of the Levites, and they were to give of their best.
03. I’m willing to do what God wants, but i don’t feel comfortable raising support. What should I do?TOP
Most people find themselves a little uneasy as they approach the challenge of support raising. It seems to go against our American culture to depend on others… especially for finances.
As Christians we heed strong scriptural warnings about our culture’s view of morality, materialism, etc. Similarly, we should not rely on the world’s view, or our own feelings, when it comes to God’s Word on support for His full-time ministers. The Bible strongly states that accepting support gifts is part of God’s economy.
Raising support is a matter of obedience, not feelings. If God calls you to a supported ministry position, then He will provide everything you need to fulfill your ministry (including emotional strength and perseverance). “…my God shall supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19), and “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Developing a financial support team is a faith adventure and an opportunity to see God work in your life and the lives of those who will financially stand with you. It is also the best possible preparation for the ministry, because asking people if they would like to know Christ is no easier than asking someone to support your ministry. Both require courage and humility. Support raising helps to cultivate the prerequisite virtues for a minister of the gospel.
You must choose to remember God’s promise to meet your needs and to bless those who give. The phrase “it is more blessed to give than to receive” is not a trite platitude, but the conviction of our Lord Jesus (Acts 20:35). God honors giving and promises to return His blessings a hundred-fold. In Malachi 3:10-12 God commands, “test me now in this. Will I not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Your supporters are not merely doing you a favor, but you are helping them to make investments that will return benefits to them now and throughout eternity.
For further study and consideration: Numbers 1:47- 54; Numbers18; Deuteronomy 18:1-6; Luke 8:1-3; 1 Corinthians 9; Matthew 16:25; Luke 6:38; Jeremiah 29:11; John 15:16.
04. What should I expect to gain from an Impact mission?TOP
An Impact mission can be described in a lot of ways. It can be a life changing experience that will test you mentally, spiritually, and physically, but will be rewarding to your growth as a person and as a Christian.If you dedicate yourself to putting into practice all that your Missions Directors communicates to you from the principals of raising support, to the other details of preparation before the mission, to the ins and outs of each day of your mission, you will be surprised how much you will gain as a person and how greatly your relationship with Jesus Christ will grow.
05. Can I get a job during my mission?TOP
On an international mission you will not get a job outside of mission. For U.S. missions, it will depend on the mission you are participating in. In some you will be required to get a job and your job will actually be your main ministry “assignment” for the summer, where you’ll learn to connect with folks at your job in order to be a beacon of God’s love for them. There are also U.S. missions where students do not get jobs and where they typically spend their days serving at local ministry sites. Since each year’s missions are different, you will have to check with the contacts for the mission(s) you are interested in about whether or not you will be able to get a job during your mission.
06. Can my mission count as course credit?TOP
This depends on the mission that you are participating in. In the past, the Impact Summer Internship Program (SIP) in Orlando, Fl at Impact Headquarters has counted as course credit. Check with the contacts for the mission(s) you are interested in about whether or not you will be able to get course credit for that particular mission.
07. Where will I live?TOP
Most missions house their participants in a motel, guesthouse, or dorm-type situation for the summer. At other locations, you may live in apartments. You’ll probably have several roommates who will hopefully get to know the REAL you!
08. What do my parents need to know?TOP
There are definitely a lot of things that you may want to discuss with your parents. Your Missions Director can help you with this if you are unsure how to explain Impact Missions to your parents or have concerns about other aspects of the process. Contact us and we can put you into contact with one of the hundreds of students who have participated in an Impact mission in the past and had to also communicate with their parents their interest in participating in an Impact mission.
09. Who will I be going on my mission with?TOP
You will be going with students from all over the US. Many times students from particular schools will plan on being on a mission together (in other words, start recruiting some friends to go with you). Missions will vary in size, both in the number of students and staff who will be with you, but all are given leadership by a Mission Director and Associate Mission Director. Together they will give leadership and direction to your mission.