Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Missionary Support
Can local churches covenant jointly with a missionary couple instead of an individual missionary as the covenant pledge formula states? 
Our missionaries are treated as individuals for most of our administrative procedures. However when the missionary has a missionary spouse, you may support them either as an individual or as a missionary couple.
Why does it take so long for Global Ministries to receive the Advance missionary support funds that churches sent to their conference treasurers?The procedure for sending money for a covenant relationship from a local church may indeed take a number of months.
- The local church treasurer may have a particular schedule they adhere to for remittances to the annual conference.
- The conference is supposed to remit to the general church monthly, but may also adhere to their own schedule.
- It may take as much another thirty days once the gift is received by Global Ministries to post the gift depending upon the date it is received.
- It may take another thirty to sixty days for notification of an advance gift to be sent by the mission personnel unit to the country where a missionary serves, and if they are serving in remote areas away from the conference treasurer's office it will be further delayed. The gift however has been credited to the missionary account when it reaches Global Ministries.
Can local churches send in financial contributions even though the amount does not qualify them to be covenanting partners with a missionary?In 2000 a revised Covenant Relationship program was instituted by the directors of the Global Ministries. Visit the Covenant Relationships web page for additional information. All gifts are appreciated and all are credited to the missionary. A pledge/gift of $3.00 or $4.00 or $5.00 per member constitutes the amount necessary for a Covenant. A unit of support for larger congregations is $2500.00.
Where can local churches go to find out the names and bio information of missionaries that their conference can support?The web link to the missionary bios is http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/missionaries/biographies/. To find out which missionaries are being supported by your annual conference check with your Conference Secretary of Global Ministries.
What happens if a missionary is financially over subscribed?The estimated cost for an individual missionary in 2002 was $40,000.00. Less than 1% of our missionaries are fully subscribed. In the event that they over subscribed, the local church is asked to re-designate their gift to another missionary or Advance project.
How are churches informed about receipt of their Covenant Relationship?A copy of the covenant form is sent to their church. They should also receive letters that the missionary is asked to send at least three times per year.
How do we fund our missionary program?The three primary sources of funding for the Global Ministries' missionary budget are the Advance (Covenant Relationships), an allocation from the Women's Division from the Women's Pledge to Mission, and part of the World Service allocation for Mission Personnel.
What does my local church/district need to do to get someone to come and talk to us about covenant relationships?Contact your your Conference Secretary of Global Ministries.
What volunteer opportunities are available for retired missionaries in Mission Personnel?Visit the Mission Volunteer Opportunities page for information on how, when, and where volunteers can serve.
What might I do if I feel called to be a missionary through Global Ministries?You may learn more by reading "Qualifications and Requirements for Missionary Service" on the Mission Personnel Documents page and/or contacting your Conference Committee on Mission Personnel.
