About money…

We include a brief finance update in each letter, but sometimes we need to talk more about money: to explain how we live, what happens to contributions toward our ministry, and our current situation. It’s not very comfortable, but Jesus wasn’t squeamish about money so we try not to be.

“Faith missions"

Wycliffe is a “faith mission,” which means that Wycliffe missionaries are not guaranteed a salary. We look to the Lord “in faith” to provide our needs through his people. 

 So the first thing to say is, THANK YOU! We are so grateful for all the people through whom the Lord has provided for us over the past 28 years. It is a tremendous privilege to be in this ministry and enjoy such encouragement from the Lord’s people.

Our Wycliffe ministry budget and income

Each year, Wycliffe prepares a “ministry budget” that estimates how much we need to live and work. (See "Where does the money go?" below.) The budget amount is tied to the average salary of a pastor in a mid-sized church, with adjustments for our family size (up) and housing costs (down). Fraser’s leadership position has no effect on it.

For most of the last ten years, our income has lagged behind our ministry budget. In the last two years especially, the gap between budget and income has widened due to “catch up” cost-of-living adjustments from Wycliffe. 

To stay in this ministry we have borrowed money, put off home repairs, and gone without vacations—but we cannot keep doing so much longer. We are currently getting some short-term help from a Wycliffe program that supplements our income to 80% of our budget, but this will end in June. 

Scripture says those who give themselves full-time to the spreading of the Gospel should get their living by it (1 Cor. 9:14). But lately Fraser has felt the weight of another verse: If anyone does not provide for his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:8).

So what should we do? 

We could leave this ministry to seek other employment. Fraser could get a second job or try to develop a side business. We could drop homeschooling so that Liz could get a job. We are open to whatever the Lord has for us, but the best option (so far as we can see) would be for our Wycliffe partnership team to increase so that we could remain in this work.

Can you help?

First, pray with us. Ask the Lord to direct us—and, if he wants us to remain in this ministry, that he will provide 100% of our Wycliffe budget.

Second, counsel us. We need the wisdom of the Lord’s people. 

Third, advocate for us. Do you know someone who might be interested in joining our Wycliffe ministry as a financial partner? 

Lastly, join us! If you’re not currently a financial partner in our ministry, would you pray about becoming one? 

In faith,