The Missionary Projects Offering explained
The Missionary Projects Offering has always been a vital part of the missionary efforts of the BBFI. Sometimes its importance is overshadowed by the lack of understanding on how it works. This misunderstanding is not confined to pastors; many missionaries have the same problem. I know from personal experience because I never really understood it as a missionary. I never got involved in the program and so I had no basis on which to judge it. Since coming into the Mission Office and working firsthand with the Missionary Projects Offering (MPO) for the last 13 years, I have to tell you it is a great program. I know, I’m biased. But when the program is understood and worked properly, it is a great blessing to everyone involved, from missionaries to national churches to the churches that support those missionaries here on the home front. Let me share with you some information in a question and answer format.
Q. What is the Missionary Projects Offering?
A. The MPO is a special offering raised at the September national fellowship meeting to provide for missionary homes and national churches. Historically it has been around almost as long as the BBFI has been in existence. Contrary to what is often believed by many, none of the money from the MPO is used by or for the Mission Office.
Q. How is the Missionary Projects Offering raised?
A. The Mission Office, the missionary, and the national directors all work together. The Mission Office prints brochures, produces videos, and visits state fellowship meetings to promote the offering. The national directors, through their state meetings and phone calls, personally promote the MPO to the churches of their states. The missionary calls his churches and sends letters to them asking their help in raising the funds needed to complete their personal projects. We ask every church that participates to direct their gifts to specific missionaries they already support or others they wish to help. Only through the continued efforts of all three interested parties will the MPO continue to succeed.
Q. If I raise the money, why do I have to pay it back?
A. This particular question only applies to the national church buildings. This is the most asked question by those who object to the MPO. It is asked because of a lack of understanding how the program works. First, the missionary is never responsible to pay back any money raised through the MPO. Never!
Let me illustrate the principle from a stateside perspective. Most state fellowships have a program through which they help start new churches in their state. When a new church is started in your state, what expectations do you have for that new church? Do you expect that once they are established that they will help start other new churches in your state? That is what is expected on the mission field. The goal is that every church planted ought to reproduce itself. That is the purpose of the Revolving Fund. It teaches national churches that someone helped them and they ought to be willing to help others on their field. They are asked but not forced to participate in the Revolving Fund. The churches that do get involved in the Revolving Fund are the ones who benefit from what they paid into the Revolving Fund. Once again, the missionary is never responsible to pay back any money raised through the MPO. If a missionary makes payments through his work funds, he is missing a great teaching opportunity.
Q. What are the benefits of a missionary home project?
A. The home projects are quite different from the church projects. The Fellowship owns none of the churches. The Fellowship does own all of the homes. There are several things that make Fellowship homes a great blessing.
First, it is a wise use of missionary funds. The average missionary who lives in a rental home will spend between $800 and $1000 per month on rent. By raising funds to buy a home through the MPO, a monthly savings of $600-800 can be freed up for evangelism.
Second, it provides family stability. Some missionary families have to move as many as 10 times in a four-year term because of a large rent increase or other demands by the landlord. In the missionary’s search for affordable housing, they often have to live in less-than-desirable areas.
Third, and probably most important, owning a home provides security for the family. Few missionaries in third-world countries have not experienced the burglary of their home or the theft of their car or work equipment. If the missionary owns his home, he can choose a secure area and provide the maximum protection for his family and possessions.
Q. How can you have a part?
A. Look at the brochure you received from the Mission Office. Find the missionaries you already support who have projects listed. Maybe you will see someone you do not support who you could also help. Prayerfully consider having a part in this important program that blesses so many missionaries. Remember, none of the funds from the MPO are used for the Mission Office. If you have not received a Missionary Projects Offering brochure call the BBFI Mission Office (417.862.5001) and one will be sent to you.