Monthly Commitments for a Missionary Associate

• What kind of financial support does the missionary associate need for their overseas assignment?
  The MA budget is divided into two parts:
  
  1. cash for travel fare, freight, customs charges, etc.
  2. pledged support for personal livelihood, work expenses, children's schooling (if applicable), taxes, medical fund.
     
• How does a missionary associate raise their financial support?
  Fundraising policies differ for each district. Some allow full itineration to churches, some limit itineration to friends, family and churches they have a relationship with, and some limit itineration to only friends and family. An MA may also contribute their own personal savings. When an MA makes an appeal to friends and family or visits a church for a service, they will present their overseas ministry and financial need. In the case of a church service, the pastor is typically contacted in advance of the visit and may share the need with the official board or missions committee for a decision whether a monthly commitment can be made and in what amount. When a church or individual decides to make a monthly commitment, a commitment form (provided by the missionary) should be completed.
  
• What happens to the commitment form after it is recorded?
  Certificates with the missionary's photo, field assignment and amount of support are sent to the district office for the district missions director's signature and then mailed on to the supporting church. The missionary receives a record of all commitments.
  
• When should a church or individual start paying a commitment and what is its duration?
  Payment of commitments should begin as soon as possible and continue through the MAs term of service which can range from 1-2 years.
  
• Once a commitment is made, how can it be increased?
  Donors can fill out a new commitment form or notify AGWM Contributor Services by letter, fax, or email, or phone, that they wish to increase the amount. They should fill in the increased amount on their offering form when they send in the next offering.
  
• If circumstances make it impossible for a church or individual to honor a commitment, what should be done?
  Budgets sometimes require reevaluation and some commitments must be decreased. If this is the case, notify the missionary and AGWM as soon as possible and our records will be changed to reflect the decrease.
  
• What do I do if I loose my giving record?
  Provide AGWM with the MAs account number or when the original commitment was made and we will be happy to provide this information.
  
• When the missionary associate's assignment is complete, how do supporting churches or individual donors receive this information?
  Donors will receive a letter stating that the MAs assignment is completed and when their last disbursement will be. MAs receive three monthly disbursements following the completion of their assignment to help them get settled in the U.S. and allow time for finding a job.
  
• How does the missionary associate know who supports him/her monthly?
  Each month the MA receives a list of cash receipts showing the names of all donors, their address, and the amounts given.
  
• Is it possible for a church to receive credit for individual contributions not given through the church?
  Yes. There is a place on the offering form for an individual donor to designate a church to receive credit. Provide full church name, city, and state.
  
• If a donor gets behind in paying a commitment, can they check to see how much has been given?
  Yes. either AGWM can check this for you or Contributor Services can provide a complete record of your giving to all Assemblies of God ministries.
  
• If a donor gets several months behind with a commitment and does not feel it is possible to catch up, what should be done?
  Pick up the commitment for the current month and continue from that time on as you are able.