We ask...

I read an article the other day titled “Why missionaries are childish and ask for so much.”  There was a portion of the article that is now on repeat in my head:  It’s when missionaries quit asking that others should be concerned…The problem [is] that when we quit asking, it [means] that we quit dreaming.  We limit[ed] the reach of God’s work through us to our own resources.  And the kingdom of God is too big for that.

After several days of this idea running through my mind, I began to feel convicted.  So here I am, humbling myself and asking for more.

You see, there are two extra large needs among our church planting team right now. 

1.  Our intern, Bruno, is in dire need of financial support.  His need is so dire that, if by the end of September (a mere 3 weeks away) he does not receive more support, he’ll have to quit his internship with our church plant and find another job.  He’ll have to quit his studies at the Geneva Bible Institute, right in the middle of his 2-year program, and work full-time outside of ministry.  He currently receives 400€/month which doesn’t even cover his bare necessities; he needs 2000€.

Would you consider a one-time financial gift to help keep Bruno on our team?  He plays a key role in our local ministry.  You can check out his website here (if you use Google Chrome, it can translate automatically for you).  For the moment, there is not a way for Americans to donate and receive a tax deduction, but if you're interested in supporting Bruno, contact us and we'll work out the details.

2.  Our church, LeRivage, is in the process of moving spaces with the hope of purchasing our own building.  Our previous space no longer met our needs, and we see great potential with the purchase of a former dance studio in the downtown area.  The problem is, our small church plant of just 2 years is not in a place to purchase a building on our own.  We need help.  80 000€ ($95,000) worth of help.  This money would allow us to make an acceptable down payment and to use our monthly budget to pay for a reasonable loan from the bank.

Would you consider helping us Build Le Rivage?  Jordan’s created this website for communicating about our building project.  The donor page for Americans is currently under construction, but if this is something you’d like to participate in, please contact us directly.

I have wrestled with asking for these things.  Everyone on our team (including us) has financial needs.  Not a single person on our team is 100% funded.  So why should I ask for Bruno over the Mirones or the Niles or ourselves?  So many of you give generously month after month already.  How can I ask for more?  Most churches can’t just pay for a building outright, why should we ask you to help us in particular?

But then I hear that phrase again:  When we quit asking, it means we’ve quit dreaming.  And I don’t want to quit dreaming.  We are seeing God do amazing things in this city; I don’t want my fear of asking others for too much to slow down His work.  I don’t want my fear of asking for too much to prevent you from joyfully participating in His work in Aix-les-Bains as He leads. 

And so, we ask.  We ask because… “This job we’ve chosen is way bigger than us...  Join us in prayer, in dreaming, in completing the mission… We ask because we commit to a mission without available resources to complete it.  So we ask you to contribute.”   

I continue to wrestle with this ask; yet I feel too convicted to not ask. 

So I ask, trusting that the Lord has enough finances for Bruno, our church, our own personal support, and more. 

I ask, trusting that He will lay these needs on your hearts in personal ways, and that those of you who respond will respond with joy and conviction, not out of begrudging obligation or irritation. 

I ask, trusting God will supply our needs.  

I ask, because the kingdom of God is too big for me to limit God’s work in Aix-les-Bains to our own strength and resources.