Faith Promises

WHAT IS FAITH PROMISE?

Faith Promise is a voluntary commitment a person makes to give regularly a fixed amount to a missions budget for a year.

The Faith Promise is solemn because it is made primarily to God. No one is billed for the payment. The Faith Promise is between the giver and God.

A Faith Promise is an agreement we make with God. We determine in prayer the amount of our faith promise. It is a "promise" because of the agreement to provide a certain amount over a specific period of time. It requires "faith" because we are trusting God to provide the funds in various ways.

It is personal because we surrender to Him what we have so He can supply what is lacking. This agreement is made between God and the individual.

The Christian, in faith, asks God to provide funds and promises to give as God provides. The believer becomes a channel of God's blessings to others. As God gives to us, we give for the cause of evangelism around the World.

HOW WILL GOD PROVIDE?

In special ways God will provide the money needed to fulfill your Faith Promise. Perhaps He will do it through business profits or by opportunities like "moonlighting." Perhaps they money will be found in an old coat or an unexpected rebate will be received. It could be that God will provide the funds through the discipline of lifestyle changes.

IS IT A PLEDGE?

No. A "pledge" suggests an obligation between a giver and a church, whereas Faith Promise emphasizes the relation between a giver and God. A "pledge" may be a legal obligation while a Faith Promise is not. No bills are sent.

WHY SIGN?

Faith Promise commitments are signed to attest to their validity. Anonymous numbers mean little as the basis for a missionary's financial planning and budgeting.

The problem is serious when the amount promised to missions is significant. Our missionaries will depend upon the faithful payment of the faith promises to support their families and ministries. Therefore, only signed commitments are counted. (Mk. 12:41-44)

WILL YOU PRAY?

The Faith Promise Plan teaches people to pray expectantly. First comes the prayer associated with making the Faith Promise. This calls for self-examination and is a heart-searching experience. Usually there is inward peace when a person senses God's approval of the amount decided on. As soon as the Faith Promise is made, payments begin. If the Faith Promise is large enough to really test one's faith, the giver must pray. This continues throughout the year.

WHAT WILL YOUR FAITH PROMISE BE?

Steps to decide:

1. Ask God to open your eyes to the needs of lost souls.
2. Give yourself completely to God.
3. Ask God to lay on your heart an amount to trust Him for.
4. Promise God, by faith, that you will give Him that amount faithfully as He supplies it to you.
5. Fill out a Faith Promise Commitment.
6. Pray daily for our missionaries and their needs.