I would say be VERY careful with agencies because most of the time they’re out to make a profit often using Christianity as a mask. Many missionaries have gone out without organizational support and God has really blessed them. Please read Luke chapter 10 to find out how Jesus really sent people out. It is our job to do what God tells us to do and it’s God’s job to provide for us (Matthew chapter 6).

Whichever agency he decides to go through, I would absolutely talk to references that are former and current missionaries with that agency. We actually started out with an agency but were able to talk to references about them, which saved us from going with them as we and the agency were not on the same page. Our funding had not started through them, which was helpful as they eventually folded.

Chuck…help me understand why this school or missions agency is asking you to raise $16,000 in “one time” (what does that mean & where does it go?) in addition to $4,000 a month. Why aren’t they providing you with at least free room and board in Vienna? I think it’s highly irresponsible for them to ask a young man to raise that much money. I know Europe is expensive but is it really THAT expensive? It seems they’re setting you up for failure dude.

Hear me Chuck – I’m in no way questioning your heart or your calling in this. You are as godly and genuine as they come. What I *am* questioning is an overseas school or missions agency that’s using a young man like yourself as a cash cow. To me it smacks of exploitation. Where is their commitment to YOU? I know you’re going there to serve them, but it is not unreasonable to ask or expect some assistance from their part considering the high level of what they are asking of you financially. For example, here in Mexico our cash-strapped Mexican Bible School can’t pay us salaries but they do provide us with housing and pay all our utilities. They refused to accept any rent when we offered it. That’s the kind of commitment I’m talking about.

Love ya & am NOT trying to discourage you in any way!!!

CHUCK REPLIED:

Greg! Sorry it took a little bit to reply.

Well, I’m in the process of considering switching mission’s orgs. Most teachers at the school go through [name deleted]. Compared to [deleted], the budget is much more manageable. $2,300/month compared to $4,000 a month and $9,000 one-time compared to the $16,000.

I’m not sure why [school name deleted] doesn’t have room and board for their teachers (my understanding would probably be because of the cost for the school to do that and because the school is independent of any church or mission org). However, the school does offer health insurance, life insurance, and $300/month if I commit to 4 years at the school – which I’m considering.

I’m talking with my [name deleted] contact tomorrow about the possibility of switching all the support I have over to [name deleted]. Please pray that [name deleted] is willing to do this – because I have almost $6,000 of one-time support already given. However, I won’t have any trouble transferring over the pledged monthly support – which is about $800/month.

Thanks for the message! Take care bro.

~ Chuck

If I told you how much we need to live (very, very modestly) in our part of Europe, you’d be shocked. Transportation (even public) is expensive, and you’re taxed for EVERYTHING, most of the time at 21% on retail. Utilities, food, bare essentials are all at a premium. I’m about to pay $65 for a 3-month mail forward–I’m only moving 14 miles away! And we usually are not compensated in any way (even as small as gas money) by any of the churches and religious groups we’ve helped with here; they just can’t afford to as giving is so low. The school may be having him raise so much as many missionaries gradually lose support over time; could be a buffer on that for the long term? Either way, I would advise him to check the school out before committing.

On the “Time Waster” subject, I just recently had a friend in the field discuss this issue with me. First, has the young man done a short fact-finding trip to Austria? Has he talked with other missionaries in the field (both in and out of the school) to get their honest perspective? Has he ever traveled out of the States or been to any part of Europe before? Has he really thought through what he’d be giving up for 1-2 years? Or considered how cold it might be compared to where he is now? Without these things, I’d say there’s less chance of success.

Let’s say he’s done all of the above and still wants to go forward. What I told my friend applies here to this young man: you have to have a teachable/humble attitude and be completely honest (especially to yourself) about why you want to do this. You have to be strong and patient when difficulties or homesickness happens (and it will). You have to still want this when all the adoration from home fades, or if someone (even a fellow Christian) challenges the point of missions. You have to be okay when you realise that life back in the States is moving on without you. What if you have enough money to live but nothing extra to tour Europe or return home for a short visit?

The reality is that you can talk to him until you’re blue in the face; since I don’t know him, if this young man is too proud to reveal true motives, or if he takes all the advice from those in the field as “that may have happened to others, but I’m different, I won’t have any problems”, then there’s not a lot more you can do. Wrong motives and bad attitudes cannot be hidden in the mission field for very long, seen it too many times.

Thanks for asking my opinion. I truly hope he follows what God wants.

His monthly support goal is $4,000 USD and he also has to raise a “one time” amount of $16,000 USD in addition to the monthly income. This makes me want to b-slap someone at the school or missions agency using this kid as a cash cow. Give me some perspective on this!