Comments on: Southern Baptists generously support missions

By: Juan P. Gillegao Jr. HJuan P. Gillegao Jr.

Juan P. Gillegao Jr. HJuan P. Gillegao Jr. — Thu, 11 May 2017 07:44:26 +0000

I thank God that using you and your group to help the work of God.

By: Alice King

Alice King — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 01:24:08 +0000

We were in the Philippines 1967-1969 (my husband was serving in the military at the naval base in Olongapo). We lived in the local economy for a year before housing was available at the base. We traveled some while we were there and met several of the Southern Baptist missionaries while we were there and none of them were living a luxurious lifestyle. On the contrary, they were adapting to the Philippine culture and reaching out to the people in various ways. To be sure, none of them were living in the nipa huts that many of the locals were living in. That was, of course, 45+ years ago, but I don’t remember seeing any gated communities; and if SUV’s were available then, they probably belonged to Navy personnel who were exploring the island. Nor did we ever see a gated community or Starbucks. When we lived in Olongapo, we lived in a house that was built by the family who lived in a hut next to us for themselves but they ran out of money before it was completely finished. It had only cold running water, and a hot plate for a stove. Granted, that was luxurious compared to what the family next to us was living in, but I sure was happy to move to the base where I could have a hot shower. If some missionary families who are living on the local economy are living in their western life styles and going to malls and Starbucks, then the Philippines has made a drastic change since we were there! My guess is they would be a very tiny minority of the missionaries who were working with the people there.

By: Joseph Zanetii

Joseph Zanetii — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:32:13 +0000

“Supporting one fully-funded missionary overseas costs an average of $141 per day, or about $51,000 per year.”

I hope that is not the amount being sent to missionaries in third world countries where the cost of living is a fraction of that in the US. I am a missionary in the Philippines and my budget is no where close to that amount. In fact, since I arrived here in 2011 I have spent less than $30,000 (less than $20 a day) which includes the funds that go directly to the people God sent me here to serve.

I know many missionaries here who do receive amounts like those mentioned in this article, but rather than the funds going to the ministry, it instead provides them with homes in exclusive gated subdivisions, nice SUVs, the latest gadgets and the ability to continue their western lifestyle.

I suggest some of those who support missionaries in third world countries drop in unannounced and observe their day to day activities for a few days. They may be surprised on how some missionaries in the field are spending the hard earned money of their supporters. (Hint: You will likely find them in the malls or at Starbucks)

As a missionary myself, it hurts me to see how much money is wasted in the mission field on a daily basis. I know this message will come across as judgmental (I am not talking about all missionaries), but there is a tremendous amount of waste in the mission field and the churches need to address this problem separate the wheat from the chaff.

If a missionary can not live at the same economic level as the average person in the country they are sent, maybe it is not God who called them there to serve.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 02:42:09 +0000

I would like to know how I could join, as I am in Australia, not involved in anything and reading this, I enjoy living with out the material lifestyle. I’d prefer to do God’s work for the rest of my life. I’m gifted in music, and would love to contribute that to any ministry.