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A Better Understanding
There were some key facts about the Projects Offering that I previously misunderstood. However, once I understood them, our participationparticipation became a “no-brainer.” Here are a few of the areas where I was confused.
The Revolving Fund
The revolving fund for churches teaches national churches that they have the responsibility, not the missionary, to pay back the loan and every nickel that is paid back is available to the missionary for his next project. There are some missionaries who have raised money for their first project through the MPO, however, as a result of the national church accepting the financial responsibility, the missionary has used that which was paid back over and over again for additional projects. Last year alone, nearly $100,000 was reinvested in a new generation of churches as a result of nationalchurches accepting the responsibility to become indigenous.
Purchasing Homes
Missionaries are encouraged to buy a home in the states with personal funds. Then, if possible to do so on the field, they should use work funds and project money to buy a home that is a “Fellowship home.” Their home in the states helps them make provision for their future. Unfortunately, the economy of some places around the world makes it virtually impossible for the missionary to purchase a home through work funds and project offering funds, so they must rent. But where practical, a Fellowship home is a good deal for the missionary and for the churches that support them. It provides stability both for the family and for their work fundsas a hedge against the uncertainties of foreign governments and economies. Then, when the missionary retires or leaves the field, they have their home in the states, and the home bought on the field with MPO and work (not personal) funds remains available for ongoing missionary work for the next generation of missionaries.
Where Does the Money Go?
Through the MPO, our church could choose which missionaries and which project would be helped for every dollar sent. I had been led to believe all the funds were put into a “big pot” and the Mission Office decided who received our offering. That is simply not the case. Every missionary who had a project could have called me and asked me to direct our offering to their project. Few ever did.
The bottom line is that our people’s gifts were directed to the projects we chose. I discovered the MPO is one of the best things that the BBFI does for our missionaries. Since getting involved, I have come to realize it is often the most misunderstood aspect of the ministry — both by pastors and missionaries alike. Misinformation abounds. So many more of our missionaries’ works could be helped through the MPO. It’s not nearly as complicated as it was originally portrayed to me. If you and your church are not currently involved, you are missing out on a tremendous investment opportunity in the ongoing work of your missionaries. Call Loran McAlister (417.862.5001), the Associate Mission Director charged with handling the MPO, and he can answer your questions. The missionaries, national pastors and churches, and the ongoing work of the Great Commission can be significantly impacted by what you and your church could do this year through the Missionary Projects Offering. |
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