Gary and Janice Dickinson

 

 

I often get asked the question:  "How are you guys supported anyway?"   I'm amazed that after more than 80 years of sending missionaries, most of our people don't really know how it happens. 

Here are the basics: 

We are not hired by the Assemblies of God, rather, we are "approved" to raise our own support among family, friends and churches.  This means that we have passed a series of tests, interviews and been recommended by various pastors and committees, etc.  They have ascertained the call of God on our lives and approve us to go our and raise our support. 

The A/G then gives us a budget to raise.  The budget has two parts:  Cash and Monthly Pledges.  I'll give you the skinny on these two trials.

1/  The cash budget is an amount of money for one-time expenses we will have during our next four years on the field.  This includes plane fare, shipping, shots, visas, equipment, and any projects we have.  This budget can range from $15,000 for new missionaries to over $200,000 for yours truly.  This is because we heard the voice of God telling us to plant 100 churches in the next ten years.  This money is a one-time expense.  It is usually raised in offerings in churches and from individuals.  The lottery is definitely out! 

2/  The monthly pledge budget is the amount of money it takes for us to live in the Congo.  It includes salary, insurance, housing, transportation, self-employment taxes as well as funds to maintain existing ministries on the field like Bible schools and in Jan's case, the Women's Center.  This amount of money is needed each month, hence the term:  "Monthly Pledges." 

AGWM, an acronym for Assemblies of God World Missions (read HEADQUARTERS) sets our budget and requires, thankfully, each missionary to obtain written promises that we call monthly pledges for this budget.  How it works is churches and individuals sign a form saying they will support Joe Missionary in the amount of $----- over the next year as the Lord enables them.  It's just a way for our leaders to be assured that their missionaries won't starve over in Africa once they leave the US, which, by the way, often happens to missionaries to "go by faith." 

Typically, missionaries "lose" 20% of their monthly promises while on the field and have to return each four years and rebuild their support base.  We return to the US, ask pastors to allow us to speak to their congregation and then ask the pastor or missions director if there is room in their budget to take on a new missionary.  That's how it works. 

If you'd be interested in helping with either of these budgets, please return to the "Finances" menu and click on:  "How you can support this ministry."  You can donate online and you can also fill out one of the monthly committment forms.

Any other questions?  Please email us at:  gary.dickinson@agmd.org 

Thanks!