I received this from Rodney Hammer today, as a follow up to the post we’ve been discussing here all day. While I did not agree with his point of view in that post, I fully support Rodney in this effort, and encourage all of you to give to this worthy effort. We must support the missionaries!
From Rodney:
“I am told that it is too late regarding Phase 1 and IMB Voluntary Retirement Incentives. There will be many returning missionaries to the States.
Many are asking what we are doing to prepare to help returning missionaries. One, I’ve requested our Association churches to assist and I’ve begun a Go Fund Me campaign to raise funds to help with transitional housing, transportation and other needs.
Here is the link for any who would like to assist. https://de.gofund.me/returnedmissionary
All funds besides the platform and processing fees will go to assisting returning missionaries.
Thank you and please continue to pray for our missionaries.
Rodney Hammer
Gofundme typically charges a 5% fee that I am fairly certain the IMB would not assess for direct donations.
This may be true, you also have to consider the overhead at IMB. Rodney is stepping up with a resource for support. Offering a partial solution for an issue today. That has to be part of the consideration in showing that we support the missionaries today with real results in real time.
I am trying get my guest apartment finished out over the next Winter/Spring. Our main goal was to have it available for people in need, missionaries on sabbatical being one of the priorities. Maybe this is one way we can help.
I know this will probably be too late to help with the immediate need for missionary assistance.
But something to consider in the future:
Churches used to, and some still do, have a “prophet’s room.” A room furnished something like a small motel room, including a small bathroom and shower. A visiting preacher or evangelist could stay there.
On the negative side, some preachers have told me the scariest place to spend the night is in an empty church building.
But churches that have such facilities could use them to temporarily house a missionary.
Especially consider this when building a new church building. When unused, the room could always be used as a small Sunday School room, etc.
Some churches also do a little extra work and have an RV hookup for electrical and sewer.
This can also be helpful for a visiting preacher, evangelist, etc.
Someone might temporarily donate their RV / motor home for a returning missionary.
Try to put it at the side or back of the building to allow them a little more privacy.
Having someone there on the church grounds can also help with security.
Some churches could provide such a hookup quickly and inexpensively.
While you are at it, if you are building and have the funds, it can help to have a shower with the men’s and women’s restrooms at church.
Also, it can be very convenient for the pastor’s office to have a small restroom and shower.
And, of course, it is a great idea for a church to have a missionary house, although much of whether it is used or not depends on the general location.
Some things to consider next time you have a building project.
David R. Brumbelow