Episode 54 emphasizes reframing fundraising as an invitation for churches to join God’s mission, rather than a transactional process. The discussion covers best practices for approaching churches, finding advocates, aligning with like-minded congregations, and maintaining a mindset of prayer and humble confidence. Practical strategies include starting with one’s home church, leveraging personal connections, and ensuring theological and missional alignment with potential partners.

[01:00 - 05:00] Approaching Your Home Church & Timing Considerations

The episode begins by discussing how to approach a home church for partnership. Corrie advises identifying the right contact, such as a missions committee or pastor, and avoiding impromptu pitches in casual settings like church hallways. Timing is critical—setting up a formal meeting allows for better engagement. Andy notes that church leaders juggle many responsibilities, so missionaries should not misinterpret a leader’s busyness as disinterest. Corrie adds that churches outside one’s home congregation may take time to commit, preferring to observe a missionary’s work before partnering.

[05:00 - 10:00] Leveraging Personal Connections & Finding Advocates

The conversation shifts to approaching churches beyond one’s home congregation by leveraging personal connections, such as friends, neighbors, or community members involved in other churches. Corrie suggests identifying individuals with a heart for missions who can act as advocates. Andy references Steve Shadrach’s advice to personally ask church leaders for support to build stronger relationships. The group discusses the value of seeking advice from influential church members, which can foster investment and open doors to broader church support.

[10:00 - 16:00] The Role of Advocates and Managing Relationships

This segment emphasizes the importance of advocates within churches. Effective advocates are passionate about the missionary’s ministry, well-connected, and proactive in facilitating events or introductions. Corrie shares her experience of relying on advocates to organize speaking engagements and events, reducing logistical burdens. The group discusses the need for clear communication and a formal “ask” for advocacy, similar to a support request, and suggests maintaining a core team or advocate manager to streamline communication with multiple churches.

[16:00 - 22:00] Approaching Churches Without Connections & Building Long-Term Relationships

The discussion addresses “cold approaches” to churches with no prior connections, which are less effective but sometimes necessary. Corrie recommends identifying smaller churches, which may be more receptive due to fewer missionary requests. She advises attending church events, delivering a brief elevator pitch, and requesting a formal meeting. Andy suggests that some denominations expect missionaries to visit multiple churches, a process called deputation. Corrie shares an example of a church that began supporting her financially after two years of consistent communication, highlighting the value of long-term relationship-building.

[26:00 - 39:00] Ensuring Alignment & Practical Mindsets

The final segment focuses on ensuring theological and missional alignment with churches to avoid mismatched partnerships. Corrie suggests researchi

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Episode 53 explores biblical foundations for church partnerships in missionary fundraising. Examining Old and New Testament examples, they highlight how God provides through the collective—Israel and the church—supporting Levites, temple workers, and missionaries like Paul. The episode emphasizes mutual provision, spiritual formation, and the unity of the Body of Christ, encouraging missionaries to embrace church partnerships and churches to support sent workers for God’s glory.

0:05 - 5:00 | Old Testament: Levites and Collective Provision
Heather introduces the episode, focusing on God’s provision through the collective. Corrie explains how the Levites, landless per God’s design, were supported by Israel’s tithes for their service at the Tent of Meeting, thriving and tithing themselves. Andy notes the mutual worship and provision, forming a triangular relationship benefiting both parties.

5:01 - 12:04 | Old Testament: Temple Workers and Modern Parallels
Corrie discusses 2 Kings 12, where King Joash’s temple repair fund supported laborers (carpenters, masons) alongside priests, with funds used honestly. Heather and Andy draw parallels to modern pastors (priests) and missionaries (laborers), emphasizing how financial support frees both to focus on ministry without competing.

12:05 - 31:36 | New Testament: Church Support for Missionaries
Corrie highlights the Philippian church’s repeated support for Paul (Philippians 4:15-20), framing gifts as a “fragrant offering” yielding spiritual fruit. Andy reads the passage, noting mutual provision and glory to God. Other examples include Corinth, Galatia, and Rome supporting Jerusalem’s famine-stricken church, showcasing cross-cultural generosity and Paul’s defense of gospel-driven support (1 Corinthians 9).

31:37 - 46:39 | Formation, Barriers, and Encouragement
Andy and Corrie discuss how partnerships build faith and interdependence, countering control and fostering ownership. Barriers include time-intensive church processes and fears of rejection or heroic expectations. They encourage transparency, referencing Matthew 10:40-42, 3 John 5-8, and Luke 8:1-3, urging missionaries to invite churches into the harvest and churches to support sent workers for God’s glory.

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Episode 52 launches a series on church partnerships, emphasizing their relevance for missionaries. Guest host Corrie McKee, a global worker and author of a forthcoming church partnership curriculum, joins Heather and Andy to discuss stable financial support, networking, and spiritual growth through church collaborations. Sharing personal stories, they highlight how partnerships inspire generosity and plant seeds for future missionaries.

0:05 - 3:14 | Series and Curriculum Intro
Heather frames fundraising as personal formation; Andy introduces the church partnership series. Corrie McKee shares how her experience with 12 churches inspired a curriculum to guide missionaries.

4:12 - 15:23 | Benefits and Spiritual Impact
Corrie emphasizes churches’ stable, substantial financial support. Andy and Heather highlight networking and spiritual formation, inspiring congregations and future missionaries. Churches focus on long-term care, complementing sending organizations’ training, per Corrie’s “three-legged stool” analogy.

16:18 - 26:02 | Stories and Challenges
Corrie describes partnerships with 12 churches via creative efforts; Andy discusses the difference between mega-church and smaller church support. Challenges include navigating large churches, building relationships, and aligning with church visions while addressing accountability.

27:31 - 34:19 | Committee Insights and Series Preview
Corrie outlines her church’s support programs and notes biases in support. Heather previews series topics: biblical partnerships, communication, and sustaining relationships. Andy highlights the curriculum, closing with the church’s role in God’s mission.

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