In our changing times, some have advocated doing away with the Great Commission Fund (GCF). For me, this would be a huge mistake. A great strength of Alliance missions is that our international workers don't have to raise their own support. It's provided through the GCF.
Why kill a goose that lays a golden egg year after year? The last fiscal year, this GCF goose laid an egg of $38.9 million. It looks like this year's golden egg will be about $39.7 million. That's not a goose I want to kill.
Why not do away with the GCF? Here are ten reasons articulated by a C&MA missionary who has served in Chile:
10 Spiritually vital - It is a faith-promise based ministry which challenges individuals to seek God and obediently respond by faith.
9 Freedom to minister - When I visit mission conferences, I do not have to concern myself with the bottom line of having to reach my needed support level and I can freely challenge our people to be involved in the Great Commission world-wide.
8 Clear focus - The purpose of the GCF is not projects or strategies or even "missions". It is about fulfilling the Lord's command to make disciples of all nations.
7 Team spirit - When I encourage churches to give generously to the GCF, I am supporting my colleagues in the country I serve and all around the world.
6 The ultimate in connectivity - I can visit any Alliance church and with total sincerity thank them for having sent us to Chile because they are shareholders in what we do.
5 Mutual support - I don't have to "compete" with other missionaries for the missions dollars of our churches because we are all working together.
4 Efficiency - I know that my giving is being used for strategic ministries in the US and among unreached peoples of the world.
3 Meeting personal needs - The GCF puts bread on our table, a roof over our heads and clothes on our back. It provides our health care for us and education for our children.
2 Ministry - The majority of our ministry overseas is fueled by giving to the GCF.
1 Great diversification - My own faith promise giving makes me a shareholder in the ministry of every Alliance worker on every field. It lets me touch the world.
IF YOU'RE ALREADY GIVING, THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE GREAT COMMISSION FUND! IF YOU'RE NOT GIVING, I URGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED TODAY. (For more information, consult a local Alliance church or the home page of this website.)
