Over the past few months I have written about changes introduced this year in the way that we subsidize and distribute missionary allowances. We will no longer use Estate Funds to directly subsidize allowances, though we will continue to use them to subsidize benefits – insurances, pension contributions, and so on. These changes are now underway.
I have tabulated here our experience in February. You will see that we fell a bit short of targeted allowances. You will also see how designated donations can affect the provision of these amounts.
Gifts to Designated Missionary Support Funds – those given to the support fund of a particular missionary – are the most important factor in the overall provision of missionary allowances and benefits. These gifts directly offset allowances and benefits for their designated missionary. This table summarizes the provision and distribution of missionary allowances in February. We will post a similar summary at wmpl.org/provision, sometime in the first week of every month.
You will see that General Support Funds – gifts designated generally for missionary support – are used for allowances, too, as well as the balance in our General Fund at the end of the month. In February we used a small amount of Estate Funds for allowances, as well, in a transitional way. Our Home Council has approved this arrangement for February, March and April, insuring a minimum allowance of 70% in February, 60% in March, and 50% in April. After April, we do not intend to use Estate Funds for the direct subsidy of missionary allowances.
Finally, you will see that more than $16,000 of missionary allowances were not paid last month, directly affecting more than half of our missionary units. Please join us in prayer for God’s ongoing provision – and join us in thanksgiving for his provision until now. If you have any questions related to supporting a particular missionary please feel free to contact our office, at jdahl@wmpl.org, or by telephone at 612.871.6843. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry!