How Do Missionaries Support Themselves?

While some may have romantic visions of missionary life, bringing up finances should serve as a solid reality check. Expecting miraculous events to meet your every need along your missionary journey is a naïve dream which experienced missionaries know is unrealistic. This is not to say miracles won’t happen or God won’t meet your needs, but serving God does not mean we can shrug off the responsibility of financial planning. Part of being a missionary is figuring out how you will sustain yourself while abroad. 

Figuring out how you will provide for yourself while following God doesn’t signal a lack of faith. Faith does not mean neglecting to plan. While there are times for a blind leap of faith, it doesn’t mean we close our eyes and jump headfirst, when God has given us His Word to be a light to our path. His Word turns us into the wise and discerning people who can then be a light to the nations. If you cannot even figure out how to financially support yourself, how do you expect to be a blessing to others? That’s why we are covering the top five methods missionaries use to support themselves while on the field. If you are planning to go abroad, consider these different ways to make ends meet. 

Here are the 5 main ways missionaries garner financial support while abroad: 

1. Missionary Organizations

There are many mission organizations who train, guide, and support missionaries all throughout the world. Certain organizations may have a specific region of the world they focus on, such as Africa Inland Missions  who (as the name states) focuses on Africa or OMF International who focus on East Asia. Other organizations may be denomination based, such as the International Mission Board which is Southern Baptist. Mission organizations can widely vary in size, as some may only have a few full-time missionaries, while others may have a few hundred. Most mission organizations will have their own set of values, training, and expectations, which can provide some healthy guidelines for any potential missionaries.

2. Church Support

Church support may be one of the most common methods of how missionaries are financially supported. Whether the missionary was from their congregation or they went with the “adopt-a-missionary” style, churches are often willing to support missionaries as it is how they feel they are doing their part to fulfill the great commission. Even if a church does not have an official missionary they support, they may give love offerings to certain missionaries who are raising support or they may partner with a missionary for a short term mission trip. 

Example: In Acts 13, we see the church in Antioch send out a couple believers to spread the gospel to others. These two, Saul and Barnabas, may be considered the first missionaries, and were sent on a missionary journey by a body of believers to share the good news of Christ. 

3. Private Supporters

Even if it may not be their main source of income, many missionaries have gained support from private donors, many of whom may be their own relatives or colleagues. Maintaining communication with private supporters is important to keeping the relationship alive. If a missionary is only supported by friends and family, they may have less accountability than if they needed to report back to a church body or missions board. 

Example: Jesus’ ministry had private supporters. The first three verses of Luke 8 inform us there were people who supported Jesus out of their own means.

4. Tentmaking  (Work)

Working is a great way to support your missionary journey. While it is not always easy to find a job overseas, the online world is making remote jobs more accessible. However, there are other work opportunities one may find in a foreign country as well. These can not only help you make personal connections with people, but through it you can gain a better understanding of how others in your area live. Because supporters may not understand missionary life or see it as work in the traditional sense, they may be more inclined to give if they know you are also working hard to provide for your mission.

Example: Paul may very well be the most famous missionary, and if we take a look at his life, or at least what we know about it through the New Testament, we see working as a viable option for maintaining a living on the mission field (Acts 18:1-3). In fact, Paul was able to use his work not only as a way to provide for himself but also as a way to proclaim the gospel.

5. Combination

Whether it is a large missions organization, a local community of believers, friends and family, yourself, or a combination, missionaries must find a way to make ends meet. While many missionaries have their main source of income, it’s likely that even if they are sponsored by a missions organization, their family or friends may also send some support to them as well. Or, they may have a job, but then also receive occasional love offerings from a church. The important thing is you do not become a burden on those you are there to serve, but instead are a blessing to the nations the way God always wanted us to be (Gen. 12:1-3).