Faith Baptist Church takes seriously Christ's command to "go into all the world and preach the gospel." More than twenty percent of the church's annual income is used to support missionary families around the world. This is done through the general budget and through 'Faith Promise' missionary giving.

A 'Faith Promise' is a promised offering above one's tithe given by faith to the Lord through the mission fund of Faith Baptist Church to be used for the support of missions worldwide. The offering is a planned amount that is not promised out of funds that are unexpected but it is a sacrificial gift out of money that you plan to receive through work, gifts and investments.

Your 'Faith Promise' is an anonymous contribution, but it should not come from your tithe. Our tithe goes to the church's general fund. Before we do more, we must be faithful to do what is commanded. The tithe (10% of gross income) is the Lord's and He has directed it to be given to the house of God. In these New Testament times the house of God is the church (I Tim. 3:15).

At present our mission fund must receive over $122,000 per year to supply our missionary support commitments. Most of these funds come from 'Faith Promise' giving.

New missionaries are added when our 'Faith Promise' increases or when the support of a missionary who leaves the field is directed to a new missionary. Generally, with the recommend-ation of our pastor, new missionaries present their work in a service of our church. Then, with the recommendation of the pastor and deacons, the church votes to extend to them regular support.

Most 'Faith Promise' commitments are made at the time of the annual missions' conference in September or October. New members may make a commitment at any time during the year. Faith Promise cards are available at the Welcome Center. All gifts designated to the Mission Fund will be used only for the cause of missions.

What would happen if 'Faith Promise' giving was insufficient to meet the needed expenses?

This question is sometimes asked though we sincerely pray that we shall never be faced with implementing the answer. Faith Baptist Church would certainly exhaust all financial options before cutting missionary support levels. However, our giving is by faith in the Lord's supply and our missionaries serve in the same way. If there should be a sustained shortfall in faith promise and it became necessary to make cuts, we would reduce all of our missionaries an equal percentage. This would reduce the financial hardship on any one missionary. Regular support for most of our missionaries is $125 per month, which is on average about 3% of their total support from all churches. A reduction of $20 to $30 in support from any one church would be less than 1% of the missionaries' total support.