MISSIONS FAITH PROMISE GIVING

How Does Faith Promise Giving for Missions Work?

Faith Promise Commitment

Rom 10:14-15 a How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?

What is Faith Promise Missions Giving?
Faith Promise is giving to missions that is above and beyond my normal tithes or surplus in a regular, committed act of faith responding to God’s prompting. We respond to that prompting each year as we ask the Lord how much He wants us to give to missions over the next year, and then we give that amount by faith. We are to give joyously and in a way that intentionally involves our hearts in missions often leading to other ways of involvement beyond giving.

Why do we turn in cards?
Using the faith promise cards has two purposes. The first is that it marks an intentional commitment between each of us and God. It is a defined moment each year where we commit to seeking God’s direction for our personal involvement in missions and commit to act on that direction. Making a commitment via card also helps us remember our faith decision. The second purpose is that it allows the missions ministry team and the elder board to know how much we can budget and commit to financially support our missionaries. The missions budget is entirely funded by faith promise missions giving and is not supplemented by the general budget.

How is the missions budget determined?
Once all of the cards have been turned in, the missions ministry team and/or elder board will use the total to compute the bottom line of the missions budget. We realize that some do not fill out cards that give to missions, so by faith, we add a percentage to the faith promise cards and use that adjusted amount. Thus, if faith promise cards come in higher than the prior year, we can either give additional help to missionaries that need it, or add missionaries when appropriate.  Our budget runs from June to May.

Will someone contact me about my commitment?
No, this is a commitment between you and God. It is not a bill, but rather a step of faith as God puts it on your heart. Please do not put your name on your card.

How do I give my missions giving at Village?
You must mark the amount you want to designate to missions either on your envelope or on the memo of your check. If you are giving online at www.villagebible.com, you may choose the missions fund or note the amount in the notes section. Any funds given that are not designated will be included in the general offering. If possible, we encourage you to give on a regular schedule as we support the missionaries on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Faith promise giving is in addition to our normal tithes.

Who should participate in Faith Promise?
Everyone! Children and youth may have less money, but it is a wonderful opportunity to train them in faith and missions. Even children can fill out a card and look for ways that God may provide some extra money to support missions. Our focus is to get as many people involved in missions as possible rather than looking for as high of a dollar amount as possible. Even cards with $1 are welcome as they represent another person involved in reaching the world.

Where do I get the funds to give to faith promise?
There are several ways that God may provide the faith promise funds. On occasion, it may come in an unexpected manner such as a surprise check or retroactive pay raise. However, often it comes as we reorder our priorities to sacrifice or reduce expenses in some way. An example of this would be to give up Starbucks or eating out once or twice a week to give to missions. Sometimes God provides through a creative way for us to earn additional income such as selling something on Craigslist or taking a side project. Whichever it is, we must be looking for it and willing to act in faith.

How Do I Make a Faith Promise?
1.  Pray with your family for what the Lord would have you do and know what He commands He also enables.

2.  Commit yourself to make a faith promise, realizing that your faith will grow as you stay committed to that promise. Submit your commitment on a faith promise card.

3.  Look for the different ways God will use you to supply your faith promise.

4.  Be faithful to give as God enables you.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.