A Spirituality of Fundraising (#5 The Gift of Faithful Friends II)

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Faithful Friends,

As I have matured as a fundraiser, I have noticed the importance of faithful friendships that are loyal and long-standing. In 2 Corinthians 8:10, Paul reminds the church in Corinth about their commitment to give to the work of the Lord in the previous year and asks them to make good on their commitment as he gives vision for the future. His relationship with the Corinthians was long-established and future orientated. 

The gift of faithful friendship is not to be taken lightly. Like any healthy relationship, there is give and take in the two-way street of faithful friendship. Sure, we have been faithful to friends in many ways, but the amount of people who have been faithful to us is astounding! The commitment and love between us is mutual, communal, and intentional. 

As a missionary who fundraises, I love maintaining devoted and long-term relationships with my supporters. This type of incarnational “with-ness” demands patient presence and steadfast consistency. I have experienced the honorable opportunity to walk the long road with supporter friends in mutual love and in support of the work of God. I have had the gift of being present at weddings, graduations, birthdays, chemo treatments, funerals, court dates, and jail visits. I have walked with friends going through divorces, sickness, surgeries, loss of a child, and loss of faith. 

What a transformational gift it has been to be near to these dear friends. Through all of these occasions, I may not have been able to be as present if my calling had not included being a missionary living on support. These friends have been steadfast to our family in many ways as well as we have gone through sickness, anxiety, ministry, moving across the country, and raising children. Though isolation is often felt by the fundraiser, I rarely feel alone. I have some of the best friends in the entire world! Do you have friends like that?

As a result of these experiences of faithful friendship, both given and received, God has given me a heart for learning how to practice fundraising work in a way that is more theologically faithful and effective. While the responsibility for fundraising was initially one of the most anxiety-producing aspects of my job, now it is one of my favorite parts of the ministry work. I have learned to enjoy inviting people into the wonderful story of what God is doing through our ministry and giving them an opportunity to have a new and refreshing experience with Jesus. 

Lead with Love,

Kevin A. Eastway