Merriam-Webster defines conversion this way: “an experience associated with the definite and decisive adoption of a religion.” Our fellowship exists for the purpose of making Christ known where he is not known – for the purpose of conversion, as defined by Merriam-Webster.
For the past many months our Business Office has been working on “conversion” of a different type – a “data conversion.” It involves moving all of our donor data from an old database into a new one. The process of “converting” the data has been time consuming and tricky. I thought that it would be good to let you know about this “data conversion” because you will notice some changes as a result of it.
Some things will change immediately, such as our donation acknowledgement receipt. Your receipts will look different, and soon we will offer the option of receiving your receipts via email. Other changes will be phased in over the next few weeks and months, such as an individual “member log-in” page. This new database, after a little more set-up, will allow members to log in and check their donation history online, or sign up to receive prayer letters from a specific missionary among other things.
Unfortunately there may be some unintentional changes as well, and I would like to ask for your help in this area. Transferring names and addresses from one database to another was a tricky process and may have introduced typographical or other errors. If you notice that you do not receive a mailing that you should be receiving, or that your name or address do not quite look correct, please let me know. Changing the database gives us an opportunity to correct these things – maybe even errors that previously existed.
The primary reason for changing our database is to facilitate communication within our fellowship. Since the beginning of the World Mission Prayer League, communication has been an essential part of the ministry process. This new database is another step aimed at facilitating the communication process between missionaries, pray-ers and senders. This data conversion has meant a lot of monotonous and seemingly “unspiritual” work. We hope that the new database will become a significant communications tool, helping us toward the ultimate goal of making Christ known.
At the end of October we did not provide full allowances to all of our missionaries. After designated support funds were used up, we needed an additional $70,514 to meet full allowances. We used the entire general fund balance of $28,471 and an additional $23,233 from estate funds to bring minimum allowance payments to 65 percent of the target amount. Of our 47 missionary units, 11 received full allowance and 34 received the minimum amount. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support!