A global worker should never be alone when sharing the Good News. With members of God’s army found throughout the world—each with their own unique strengths and giftings—the possibilities in working together to further His Kingdom are many. While one may be sent out to evangelize the lost, another is called to pray for their endurance. While some may be called to serve the homeless, others are called to financially cover that ministry.
Working together is essential for not only furthering the gospel, but for encouraging and strengthening one another in the process.
One specific way of working together is through support. We may not all be called to move overseas to share the gospel, but through financial or prayer support, we can work alongside someone who is.
“Giving to missions is one of the ways I spread the Good News and share God’s love with others. Giving financially blesses and assists others in their calling. It is a way that I serve and worship God and acknowledge that all I have comes from Him and is His.”
Sandy Plett—GEM donor
Let’s take a moment to explore these two areas of serving, starting with prayer.
Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17); He hears us when we pray (Proverbs 15:29), and He answers our prayers (Matthew 7:7-8). If we believe what James 5:16 says, that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective,” then we should lean into prayer, especially in this broken world.
A missionary may move to a land they’re unfamiliar with, with a language they’re still trying to learn; they may be facing persecution for their faith or be struggling with a health issue. Every scenario is different, but in all scenarios, prayer support is vital to help carry them through. When we partner with God through prayer on the missionary’s behalf, there’s no limit to what He can do!
As Christian writer and speaker Corrie Ten Boom once said, “The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love.”
Let’s now consider financial support.
Though Jesus grew up to be a carpenter, He left the profession when He entered His season of ministry. He devoted all His time not to supporting Himself financially, but to discipling those around Him, teaching them the way, and performing signs and miracles. His ministry became His full-time work, and He depended on the generosity of others to provide for His, and His disciples’, physical needs.
The Apostle Paul, a missionary himself, writes in his epistles about the importance of the church supporting Christian workers. We read of his encouragement to the Roman church to help support Phoebe in her ministry (Romans 16:1-2), and his expectations of their generosity to help him on his own journey (Romans 15:24). Paul refers to Jesus’ instructions for His disciples to not bring anything as they go on their mission (Matthew 10:10), “for the worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7).
Financially supporting Christian workers isn’t a new idea—we can read about it in the Bible! This process is important, for it encourages the worker to depend on God to provide their needs, it encourages the Church to be generous and sow into His Kingdom, which in turn brings the worker the support they need. Working together, the Good News can be spread throughout the reaches of this world!
“First and foremost, [I give because] I have a heart for Italy because of my Italian heritage. Also, I was raised Catholic and understand the hunger for Jesus. GEM has given me an opportunity to sow directly through [the worker]. I believe in thy Kingdom come, Lord, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”
Teresa Janssens—GEM donor
For those who have faithfully supported our global workers serving far from home, thank you! You have brought them encouragement and a platform to do what God has called them to do. May your generosity reap many blessings!
If you feel called to support a GEM worker or ministry, please click here to explore the many opportunities available.
