One of our new staff is raising her support to serve with our Financial Services team. She recently asked this question on a web forum for staff:
I’m getting some questions from current and potential ministry partners about how am I a missionary when I’m raising support to work in operations...Do you have any advice/experience on how you would answer this question?
How would you answer her question? Here’s one answer she received:
“I use a military analogy. In order to have soldiers on the front lines in healthy fighting capacity, you MUST have a strong supply line and a corp of engineers. Ops can be seen as both. All those in the army are the missionaries serving full-time. A supporter is like the taxpayer that isn’t there full-time but is both contributing to and receiving the benefit of those serving full-time. -Bryan
When I read her question I thought about Chris Hayes. I met Chris 15 years ago; he had joined Cru after an engineering career with the US Government.
Twenty years ago the Jesus Film Project had studios in three locations around the world and recorded 8 new languages each year for the film. Chris developed a portable recording system that fit inside a suitcase. There was nothing like it in the world. Our teams were able to take it to remote villages and set up studios on site.
The result was that we were able to record 40 or more languages each year. Today the Jesus film is viewable in 1,188 languages. Check them out at jesusfilmmedia.org. Chris is a missionary and a hero in my book!
We love having a role that supports every gospel presentation that happens through Cru around the world. We are proud to work alongside hundreds of missionaries here at our headquarters who are making an eternal impact.
Thank you for partnering with us!
