This is an old school concept you may be familiar with. Many people would associate the statement with raising children.
The basic premise; for children to thrive, a good healthy support system is imperative. You know: immediate & extended family, good neighbors & friends, a solid faith community, quality schools with good teachers, etc.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, as Our Village has been bustling. You see, this concept goes far beyond raising children. I believe we are all designed to live in community.
One of the first assignments for a Missionary Associate is to build a team of people who will stand with you in prayer, and those who will partner with you financially. What we are stepping into cannot be accomplished alone. It Takes A Village!
Unlike most careers, missionaries don’t have a salary waiting for them in the Field. The communities they serve—often facing economic hardship or spiritual crisis themselves—are not in a position to fund the work. By raising support, missionaries free themselves to serve full-time without burdening the very people
they came to help.
Support-raising accomplishes three powerful things:
- It builds partnership, not just finances.
In Philippians 4, Paul speaks of the church’s giving as a “partnership in the Gospel.” Those who pray, give, and send are not spectators—they are coworkers in Kingdom work. - It multiplies the Body of Christ.
Support teams mobilize dozens—even hundreds—of believers who would never set foot on the mission field, yet whose investment impacts lives across the world. - It grows faith and dependence on God.
Missionaries learn to trust God as their provider, and supporters learn to trust Him with their generosity. Everybody’s faith gets stretched, not just the one who goes.
Missions is never a one-person assignment. God designed it so that some go, some send, and all participate. When missionaries raise support, they are not begging—they are inviting the Church to step into its global calling. Together, we become part of a story larger than any one of us could write alone—a story of obedience, transformation, and the hope of Christ breaking in around the world!
Even Jesus modeled this! He chose the 12, to walk with him, learn from him, partner with him and ultimately carry on the work after He was gone. There were many others in His village. In Luke 8:1-3, it says "Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means."
Did the Son of God really need these people to advance the Kingdom of God? Couldn't he have done it all, without any assistance? Of course! But, God chooses us. Broken people in need of a Savior, leaving all to follow. He is calling each of us to step into the role of Ambassadors of Reconciliation. We cannot do it alone!
Yes, It Takes A Village! Over the last six months we've learned so much about community! The team that is surrounding us, standing with us in prayer and financial support is so beautiful to behold. So much diversity in the mix of friends & family, even complete strangers who have heard our story and were inspired to be a part of what God is doing in Bethlehem. Let's go!
- Please pray for us and our family during this time of transition.
- Partner with us through a One-time Gift or
- Partner with us Monthly
Thank you! With your partnership we are one step closer to Bethlehem!
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