Financial Support: Top 10 Questions
1. How do the Lamberts receive support?
Freedom International Ministries is a faith mission with no central funding. Therefore, John and Jacqueline are responsible to raise their own support from churches, family, businesses, organizations, and friends. Commitments are registered with Freedom International through a commitment return envelope or card indicating annual amount, frequency and start date. This envelope is sent once an initial gift is received and is resent along with a monthly receipt letter each time a person sends in a gift of any amount. Such monthly, quarterly, and special commitments, though not a legal contract, are almost always fulfilled. Seldom would a missionary have to come home because of lapsed commitments.
2. How long am I expected to continue my support commitment?
It varies. Support commitments from both churches and individuals have continued for the entire career of some missionaries--as long as 30 or 40 years. For practical reasons, FIM suggests that support commitments continue for at least for one full term of four years. At the conclusion of each term, missionaries usually return to the U.S. for what is called "home assignment," an extended time in the States to report to support partners, gain new support, renew relationships with extended family and take additional training. The Lamberts understand that changes in church or family situations may force some commitments to be dropped or changed.
3. What happens if there is shortfall in support?
In short, ministry effectiveness is compromised. One unique feature of missionary support is that it includes funds for the work (ministry) in Thailand as well as funds to support the Lambert family. Thus, a shortfall in support affects both. A significant shortfall makes it difficult to continue ministering and living overseas, and a trip to the States or an extension of home assignment may be necessary to find additional support.
4. What type of needs are covered in their monthly support?
Monthly support includes all of the items that your budget at home might cover-and then some. For example, food, clothing, shelter, transportation, salary, social security, utilities, applicable income taxes, health and life insurance and retirement. Committed support also includes overseas cost of living adjustments, travel, children's education, transportation, ministry funds, projects etc. Freedom International Ministries does not take an administrative tithe from the Lamberts support. One hundred percent goes to them. In addition to contributing monthly to their support, Freedom House Church also supports the Lamberts by handling their printing and communication needs without additional charge. Most mission organizations take 10-15% of the missionaries’ income for these services.
5. How do I send support?
Like many people pay their bills, missionary support is received monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, via check, credit cards, electronic funds transfer, money order, stocks and bonds, and even cash. Gifts and commitments can be made online using
online giving (select Option 4: Missions Fund Offerings). Reoccurring monthly gifts can be set up with your personal online banking account. Also, gifts can be made by mail using pre filled return envelopes or by simply mailing the gift to FIM. It is the Lamberts' policy to send a receipt for every gift received. For example, monthly givers will receive 12 receipts over the period of a year and twelve return envelopes. Members of FHC can drop support in the weekly offering as long as the envelope is labeled “Lambert Support.”
6. What should I expect from Lamberts as I support them?
In a word, "partnership." As a partner in ministry you should expect enough information, communication and relationship to assure you that your financial, time and prayer support are producing the kind of results that you pray for and expect. This usually includes prayer letters, e-mail, personal letters, notes, phone calls, visits and reports of ministry results. They will also pray for your needs, hopes, dreams and plans as they become aware of them.
7. Can I make personal non-tax-deductible gifts to the Lamberts?
Yes! It is very common for support partners to give personal gifts on special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. FIM processes these gifts and sends them on to the Lamberts. Personal gifts are not tax-deductible. Should you decide to give a personal gift, simply jot an explanatory note on the response portion of the receipt, clearly marked with your intention. For example, "Please forward $50 to the Lamberts as our personal Christmas gift." The word "personal" is a signal to us that this will not be a tax-deductible gift. These gifts would be above your monthly gifts.
8. What kind of communication will I receive from the Lamberts?
The choice is yours. Prayer letters and other communication from the Lamberts come to you directly. The Lamberts' web site, www.spreadtheflame.com, is increasingly becoming a primary source of information about their work and current thoughts. In addition to these things, they connect with partners through online tools such as Facebook.
9. Whom can I contact with questions?
The Lamberts have a donor relations assistant whose goal is to act as your advocate to them. We believe it is a miracle that people willingly and joyfully send financial support for a missionary month in and month out over many years. Our goal is a long-term relationship, satisfying to you and to the Lambert family and their ministry. Please contact
Mandisa Holder if you have any questions.
10. What are some common motivations for supporting missions?
There are many reasons. Most churches make commitments out of a sense of vision and mission to accomplish The Great Commission of Matt 28:18-20. For individuals, it usually starts with the word "relationship." Many partners also give out of a sense of gratitude to God for what he has done for them through Christ. Many partners also give out of a sense of obedience to the call in I Corinthians 4:1 to fulfill our stewardship of the Gospel. And, many partners have a strong sense of passion to see the Gospel spread among certain people groups or through certain types of ministry. The Lamberts welcome your partnership as they work to expand the harvest in Southeast Asia.