What is something about missionary life that people don’t talk about enough?
“I guess it comes down to the conversations we had about feeling like we were just bad with money. It goes along with scarcity thinking — you feel a lot of shame when you come home and see people your own age with savings built up, nice houses, cars, going on vacation every year.
You feel, simultaneously, that being broke is part of being in ministry, yet you feel great shame about not knowing how to do anything different. They literally teach you that support raising is supposed to take forever and be difficult — that living paycheck to paycheck is part of your deep spirituality. But Johan took that guilt away and joined the team to help us reverse almost 30 years of a toxic relationship with money.
Missionaries need to know that there is help — real help out there. Having the right thinking leads to good planning, which leads to correct actions. We don’t have to live in shame and the fear of thinking we are somehow maybe not a good investment.”
– Matt Hutchcraft
As a Wealth Management Advisor, I’ve spent nearly two decades helping individuals, families, and business owners build, protect, and strategically deploy wealth through comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and legacy strategies. This is accomplished by building trust, presenting compelling visions for the future, and turning thoughtful conversations into long-term partnerships—often overcoming initial hesitation or “no” to create meaningful momentum.
Yet the most rewarding investment I’ve ever made isn’t in portfolios or retirement plans—it’s in missions.
I’ve seen firsthand how many talented missionaries approach support raising with a subtle but limiting scarcity mentality: the fear that donor dollars are finite, that every ask competes rather than multiplies, and that bold requests might “burden” generous friends. It’s understandable—living on faith-fueled monthly commitments brings real vulnerability. But this mindset quietly limits kingdom impact.
Entrepreneurs don’t succeed by hoarding opportunities or apologizing for value; we succeed by creating massive vision, building genuine relationships, demonstrating clear returns (in this case, eternal ones), and confidently inviting others to join something far bigger than ourselves.
God isn’t running out of resources—He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and delights in multiplying loaves for those who step out boldly. When missionaries embrace a Kingdom abundance mindset, support doesn’t just trickle in; it accelerates. Partnerships deepen, stories multiply, and more people get to experience the joy of investing in eternity.
In this post, I’ll share why shifting from scarcity to abundance can transform your support raising—and how simple entrepreneurial principles can help you do it with confidence and joy.
Many missionaries approach raising support with a deep sense of scarcity. They view the “pie” of available donor dollars as fixed and limited—believing that asking one person might deprive another ministry, or that there’s never quite enough to go around. This mindset often stems from legitimate fears: rejection, uncertainty about the future, or the pressure of monthly commitments while depending on others’ generosity. It can lead to hesitation in asking boldly, guilt over “burdening” supporters, or a constant low-level anxiety that keeps missionaries playing small.
But this scarcity thinking doesn’t align with the reality of God’s provision or the dynamics of effective ministry funding. Entrepreneurs, by contrast, typically operate from an abundance mentality. They see opportunity everywhere—believing that value creation attracts more resources, that networks grow through generosity, and that bold vision draws in partners rather than depletes them. Successful entrepreneurs don’t hoard contacts or shy away from “the ask”; they build relationships, demonstrate impact, and confidently invite others to join something bigger than themselves.
Missionaries can—and should—adopt this type of abundance mindset when raising support. A Kingdom abundance mindset! Here’s why and how:
First, recognize that support raising isn’t begging for scraps; it’s inviting people into kingdom partnership. When you frame your work as a compelling mission with clear impact, you’re not competing for limited funds—you’re offering people a meaningful way to invest in eternity. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), and generous hearts are stirred when they see faithful stewards at work.
Second, abundance thinking changes your approach practically—and it extends far beyond just finances. Instead of timid, apologetic asks driven by fear, entrepreneurs test boldly, follow up persistently, and celebrate small wins to build momentum. They also build strong teams around them, because no one succeeds alone. The same is true in missions.
Real-life examples:
One missionary couple we know had been grinding through support raising, believing the common narrative that it would take years and feel painfully slow. As a financial advisor, I was able to step in and provide some fresh context on their finances—they were actually stewarding their modest support incredibly well, creating massive Kingdom impact despite the tight margins. Together, we explored options, and a timely transition to a different missionary organization opened up a better health plan. This created real financial breathing room: they paid off lingering debt, started building savings again, and shifted from survival mode to thriving—freeing more energy for ministry rather than constant worry. What started as a financial conversation became a team win that multiplied their long-term effectiveness.
More recently, while serving on the field, a missionary experienced persistent neck discomfort and mentioned it casually in an update to supporters. A doctor in his partnership circle immediately responded: he recommended a diagnostic scan, personally drove him to the clinic for the exam and imaging, confirmed it wasn’t an emergency, and outlined an affordable care path that minimized out-of-pocket costs. What could have become a distracting (or expensive) health issue turned into a quick resolution and ongoing peace of mind—thanks to a supporter using his expertise to keep the missionary healthy and focused on the work God called him to.
Missionaries can’t be experts in every sphere of life—medicine, finances, vehicles, mentoring, taxes, leadership—you name it. Building good support isn’t only about raising money; it’s about building a good team and leveraging the resources God has already placed around you. That includes doctors, mentors, financial advisors, mechanics, business owners, and more. True abundance thinking recognizes that generous people want to contribute in the ways they’re gifted, not just with dollars. When you invite them into the full picture—sharing needs, celebrating victories, and valuing their expertise—the team grows stronger, burnout decreases, and the mission accelerates.
Missionaries who shift this way experience stronger partnerships, faster support growth, less personal burnout, and a richer community. They focus on what God can do through willing supporters (and their unique gifts) rather than what might run out. Asking boldly allows believers to join in the mission and experience the blessings of growing the Kingdom!
Finally, this mindset honors the theology of abundance we claim to believe: a God who multiplies loaves and fish, who provides exceedingly abundantly above all we ask (Ephesians 3:20). Scarcity mentality subtly questions His generosity; abundance trusts it.
Missionaries aren’t salespeople, but they can learn from entrepreneurs: think big, build real relationships, ask with confidence, assemble a diverse team of partners, and watch God expand the vision—and the resources—to match. When support raising flows from faith in abundance rather than fear of lack, everyone involved experiences more joy, freedom, and kingdom fruit.
Shift your thinking. The pie isn’t shrinking—it’s growing as more people join the mission.
– Johan Gjenvick