Give to Missions

Faith Promise is a way of giving to world evangelism. Faith Promise is financial giving to missions that is above and beyond my normal tithes or surplus in a regular, committed act of faith responding to God’s prompting. We respond to that prompting as we ask the Lord how much He wants us to give to missions over the next year, and then we give that amount by faith. We are to give joyously and in a way that intentionally involves our hearts in missions, often leading to other ways of involvement beyond giving.

Faith Promise giving is over and above regular giving. Regular giving to RCC provides for running the church and its ministries. For the history of RCC, regular giving has also been used to provide for the missions budget. As we begin this Faith Promise, the plan is for RCC to transition our missions giving over the next few years to be entirely funded by Faith Promise giving.

Using the Faith Promise cards has two purposes. The first is that it marks an intentional commitment between each of us and God. It is a defined moment where we commit to seeking God’s direction for our personal involvement in missions and commit to act on that direction. Making a commitment via a card also helps us remember our faith decision. The second purpose is that it allows the missions team and elder board know the amount we can anticipate trusting God for us to give to our missionaries in financial support.

No, this is a commitment between you and God. It is not a bill, but rather a step of faith as God puts it on your heart. This is a promise to God, not a pledge to the church. No one will notify you or keep track of your progress toward your commitment.

Signing your name is optional. However, indicating name and amount allows you an opportunity to express your Faith and your Promise. It is a way of saying to God: “This is me, Lord. Count on me.”

To ensure your missions giving goes toward the missions budget, please write “missions” on the memo of your check, and designate the amount you wish to give. For example, if you write a check for $50 and you would like $25 to go toward missions, write “Missions $25” on the memo line. Any funds given that are not designated will be included in the general offering. Designated missions giving can be put in the offering boxes. If possible, we encourage you to give on a regular schedule as we support the missionaries on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Faith Promise giving is in addition to our normal giving. You can also give online at https://riversidecommunity.cc/donate/.  Select the Faith Promise Tab.

Faith promise giving can begin now. The end date for this 2015 Faith Promise commitment is March 2015.

Everyone! Children and youth may have less money, but it is a wonderful opportunity to train them in faith and missions. Even children can fill out a card and look for ways that God may provide some extra money to support missions. Our focus is to get as many people involved in missions as possible rather than looking for as high of a dollar amount as possible. Even cards with $1 are welcome as they represent another person involved in reaching the world.

There are unlimited ways that God may provide the Faith Promise funds. On occasion, it may come in an unexpected manner such as a surprise check or retroactive pay raise. It may be that something you need is given to you or on sale. Perhaps you are healthier than normal so have fewer medical expenses. However, often it comes as we reorder our priorities to sacrifice or reduce expenses in some way. An example of this would be to give up Starbucks or eating out once or twice a week to give to missions. Sometimes God provides through a creative way for us to earn additional income such as selling something on Craigslist or taking a side project. Whichever it is, we must be looking for it and willing to act in faith.

1. Pray with your family for what the Lord would have you do and know that what He commands, He also enables.
2. When your heart is settled on an amount, one idea is to divide the total by 52 or 26 or 12 (weekly, bi-monthly or monthly) contributions according to your individual pay schedule.
3. Prayerfully again consider the amount you can faithfully purpose to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). Do not be surprised at what God lays on your heart. Just be obedient.
4. Fill out a Faith Promise Card, indicating your Faith and Promise.
5. Commit yourself to making the Faith Promise, realizing that your faith will grow as you stay committed to that promise. Submit your commitment on a Faith Promise card.
6. Look for the different ways God will use you to supply your Faith Promise.
7. Be faithful to give as God enables you.