Raising support to sustain a life of missions can be overwhelming. It can be a major obstacle that keeps people from ever obeying God's call on their life. We know God controls every resource in the world, but do we truly believe He can provide in this way for our life? We've put together a series of support raising stories from people in different stages and viewpoints of life as a way to remind you that God is at work and He loves to show off in this way.

“If I'm being honest, deciding to go on this trip was a big risk for me. By nature, I tend to be a pretty fearful person, especially when it comes to big decisions. However, thankfully, when we ask God for his strength, He doesn’t leave us where we are. Because of Him, peace overcomes fear, every time.”

Experiences, classes, trainings, and projects have opened my eyes to so much, but nothing has changed me more than what God has done over these past six weeks.

Before this trip, I was unsure how exactly God would use me overseas along with what life will look like being a cross-cultural worker. However, I have seen clearly time and time again affirmations through my relationships with teammates and locals of the calling on my life for this work.

Every year we have the privilege of seeing incredible stories unfold through our missions mentorships. This is one of those stories. Watch Jack's story told through his eyes.

Meet Mae – Grad from South East Asia

Q: How did you find out about Cafe 1040's program?

A: A friend went through the program the summer before me and told me about it.  I thought to myself, I think I want to try this.

“My time in North Africa so far can be summed up in this story. It has been an amazing experience filled with adventure and a lot of unplanned (but awesome) circumstances."

Transitioning into life in South East Asia has been exciting, but also extremely heavy. Knowing the statistics about the 10/40 window and then meeting new friends who everyday live in the reality of not knowing their Creator has created a whole new perspective can at times be overwhelming.

I had little idea what I was getting myself into when I chose this program in NA. But as I look back on the past 13 months, all I can see is His sovereignty, His plan, His grace and love in every single thing that has happened, both internally and externally.

In the book “The Forgotten God” by Francis Chan, he poses the question, “If you could choose between Jesus beside you and the Holy Spirit within you, which would you choose?”

If you would say Jesus beside you, Francis would say that you probably do not truly understand the power of the Holy Spirit.* Don’t beat yourself up though; the original disciples of Jesus did not understand either.

Meet Patrick – A Grad from North Africa

Q: How/When did you know that God was calling you to missions?

A: I heard the gospel at a young age, but it wasn’t until junior year in high school where the Lord gripped me and I started walking in relationship with the Lord. Shortly after that I felt a strong pull/calling on missions. I started to look at what missions is according to the Bible. What does it look like to do work overseas? Cafe 1040 seemed like a clear next step.

Q: How did you find out about Cafe 1040's program?

A: I looked at several organizations that have 3-month programs. My missions pastor helped me find Cafe 1040.

Urbana is a five-day conference with 16,000 others who are showing up to be transformed, encouraged, challenged, and sent.

Dedicated to calling whole-life, whole-world disciples, Urbana is an eye-opening global missions conference, a sacred space for college and graduate students, faculty, and church leaders to hear God’s call.

Coming here, I had no real expectation as to what life would exactly be like. I share one bedroom with three other girls on a street where only one person understands our English charades. I live in an up-and-coming city—half-traditional, half-modern –but all full of culture. 

Pray for the Nations, Go to the Nations, Send to the Nations, Welcome Internationals, Mobilize to the nations

Are you in the process of moving overseas? The first few months of arriving in your new culture are crucial and you never get them back. Our friends at Pioneers have some great resources to check out before you make the move.

My team and I have had some sweet opportunities to build friendships with a few locals in the city we are living in.  They have taught us so much about how they live and how they view life.

There is no substitute for the lessons God teaches us through walking with Him. But you cannot grow into what you do not submit yourself to. 

You cannot become what you do not behold.

The last book of the Bible, Revelation, reads like the script of a weird science fiction movie. It’s the final showdown between good and evil, full of unusual imagery and seemingly cryptic messages. Even the author’s story sounds like the beginning of a Hollywood blockbuster. John was an outcast and part of a rag tag group of troublemakers called the apostles. He even wrote a book about his time as an apostle, which he creatively titled “John.” He fought for his cause his entire life, only to end up exiled on the island of Patmos, where he had a strange vision and encounter with the Lord. 

We have been going through a study called "Experiencing God" that has been teaching me what it looks like abide and seek intimacy with Him instead of only focusing on knowing His will for my life. It has also taught me that He is already at work - we have to believe that since the task is so overwhelming and we cannot fulfill it on our own. This study has been very convicting since most of the time I want to jump ahead to the conclusion instead of letting Him lead me in His timing!

Raising support to sustain a life of missions can be overwhelming. It can be a major obstacle that keeps people from ever obeying God's call on their life. We know God controls every resource in the world, but do we truly believe He can provide in this way for our life? We've put together a series of support raising stories from people in different stages and viewpoints of life as a way to remind you that God is at work and He loves to show off in this way.