Why Harvest100Fold?
Why Harvest100Fold? - Key Point
God’s people should use the most appropriate people to do foreign missions. Where there is no alternative, sending a Western missionary is great. But, why send a Westerner to a foreign land when a local native is trained and equipped to do the work? Locals know the language, culture, history, and the barriers to expanding God’s kingdom. Harvest100Fold seeks to match Western donors with in-country missionaries. In recent years, there has been a passion to send missionaries into extremely difficult and dangerous places. Should we not first come alongside locals first to fully empower them to do God’s work? And should we not enable missionaries in needy, but less-difficult places, like Brazil?
Western Missionaries are Expensive
Generally Western Missionaries search for sponsors to donate the funds to enable their work. Finding sponsors can be hard work! Then periodic trips back to the homeland are needed to “keep in touch.” This is nice, but is expensive. Then Westerners probably don’t want to live like locals. They need a car for their ministry, right? They need a powerful computer. Cleaner water. Quality English language schools for the kids. Healthcare. “Good” food. Annual vacations.
Native missionaries have different standards – a bicycle or motorcycle work fine – no computer, just a cell phone. Free government system for health care. Maybe less time doing “donor care.” More time for mission work.
Western Missionaries are Language Challenged
Language acquisition skills for adults is tough. Being able to “get by” is a far cry from acquiring fluency. Unless absolutely necessary, why do we pay for people to spend 6-12 months gaining language skills?
A foreigner will probably always sound like a foreigner. If not necessary, why send a foreigner to do a local person’s work?
Western Missionaries are Culturally Challenged
Do you remember what happened in 2001? The famous 9/11? If you were in New York at the time, your memory is going to be different from someone who was living in Budapest. Do you remember what happened in Budapest in 2001? Probably not. If you were not there, you cannot share the reality of what it felt like. The photo is Radical Sertão at work. Why subject a Westerner to so much culture-shock?
Why Harvest100Fold?- Harvest100Fold is "lightweight"
U.S. based charities (and churches) have significant overhead. 501(c)(3) charities must file IRS Form 990 tax returns yearly. Churches have administrative operations (and often pay “taxes” to denomination offices). A 25% cut from donations is considered good. Harvest100Fold is independently supported and does not receive any portion of your donations. Credit card donations cost 5% (to the credit card processor) and the in-country administrator (currently the Presbyterian Church of Intermares) deducts up to 10% of the donation for overhead and administration of the funds. Credit card donations are not tax deductible. Tax deductible donations should be paid through TrustBridge, a registered 501(c)(3) charity – or contact us for other options. Other collaborations can be directed to World Gospel Mission (wgm.org) – please ask for details.
Native Missionaries are Best for the Front Line
Making full use of Godly passionate workers in their own land makes a lot of sense. Brazil is a major missionary sending country. Brazil has more people wanting to be missionaries than funds to enable their training, development and deployment. These Godly workers need Godly supporters like you to carry out their mission! Brazil cannot afford to send all of their missionaries! Years ago, Americans sent many missionaries to Brazil. Now, Westerners are needed to send many Brazilian missionaries around the world.
When to use Western Missionaries in Foreign Lands
Short-term foreign missionaries are exceptionally important because they enable God’s people to work together in common cause. Short-term missionaries are not expected to master the language or understand nuances of the culture. They are also God’s ambassadors, sharing the love across nations and often enabling enduring relationships.
Intermediate term missionaries are also needed where they can provide or teach specialized expertise. Partnerships between churches can be exceptionally powerful. For example, building a preschool and after-school facility where church volunteers can teach the children can do a wonderful work of preparing the next generation. A partnership is often the only way these initiatives are possible.
There are many needs for Western missionaries to bring special skills to foreign lands. While humility is always needed, there is much to be gained by sharing lesson’s learned. For example, teaching in a seminary or sharing best practices in administration. Jobs where even if a translator is required, effectiveness can be seen.
Why Harvest100Fold - Please help!
Brazil has many Godly people seeking to serve in the mission field, but few resources to enable their work. God has raised up Harvest100Fold to bring the Western Christians with resources together with the passionate workers in Brazil (and elsewhere) who need your help. That is “Why Harvest100Fold.”