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| Kaleo Ministries | ||
| "Inviting followers of Christ to join in God's global mission." | ||
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Our Philosophy of Fundraising
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Because of the abuse that we have seen and experienced in the area
of finances, Amy and I want to be very clear about our convictions
about raising support. Corporate scandals, excessive salaries, and
prosperity teaching have left many of us faith missionaries with much
to overcome in the realm of restoring public trust. We want to be
clear about how we view money and upfront about our philosophy of
raising money, so that if you choose to support our ministry you can
have a better understanding how we operate.
Clearly communicate the vision. We believe that God is glorified when His people find creative and effective ways to infect others with His vision for the lost. This website is one way that we have tried honor God in communicating the vision He has given us. "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it" (Habakkuk. 2:2). Money as a means to an end; people as an end in themselves. Money has no inherit value other than the end goal of what it accomplishes. People on the other hand have enormous value in God's sight. We believe in treating people with the highest level of respect. We do not wish to be friends with people just because we think they will support our ministry. This is dirty and unethical. Commitment to a simple lifestyle. We do not believe that serving God also entitles us to serve the American dream. "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread." -Proverbs 30:8 Treat people the way you would want to be treated. How would you want to be approached by someone who desired you to participate in his or her vision? "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 19:19). Blessed to be a blessing. Being blessed with financial prosperity is not something to be ashamed of. Those who are wealthy realize that the real joy comes from truly understanding why they were blessed. "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). God calls us to be faithful, not necessarily successful. We seek to use more than just a financial bottom line to evaluate our ministry. Most people who have made a lasting difference in this world were rarely acknowledged for their impact at the time. Money is not bad; it's the love of money that's deadly (I Tim. 6:10). You cannot out give God. God will always give you back more than you give to Him or to others. This may not always be financial, though it often is. "You have not, because you ask not" James 4:2 (then read verse 3!) Giving is part of God's economy. We will not allow the devil to make us feel guilty about prayerfully asking other people for support. We realize that every missionary throughout history has been dependant on outside funds in some form or fashion.
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