Review The love of money, the apostle Paul observed, is the root of evil. But properly invested and compassionately managed, money can foster much that is good. In this book, Rob Martin simply, practically, and clearly explains how this can and should be done. Replete with stories and case studies garnered from several decades of experience in the world of compassionate finance, this book is the result of Rob’s annual seminars on the subject to the culturally eclectic residents of the Overseas Ministries Study Center in New Haven and is uniquely accessible to Christian leaders in non-Western contexts. I highly recommend this book. Jon Bonk, J & J Bonk, author of Missions and Money: Affluence as a Western Missionary Problem In my African context, reading When Money Goes on Mission is like having the privilege of being seated under the village tree with a wise elder and being nourished by the transformative spring of wisdom coming from his lifelong experience in mission. The amazing and sobering stories, the deep biblical and theological insights on stewardship, the simplicity and the beauty of Rob’s writing elevated my spirit. The book deeply shifted my paradigm and transformed my understanding of biblical fundraising. I found this a most useful and relevant book on fundraising that connects with my majority world context. The benefit will be immense for everyone who reads it, especially for mission and church leaders from the majority word. Daniel Bourdanné, General Secretary, IFES I have served on the board of First Fruit for many years and have observed Rob’s imparting these principles to both ministries and granting organizations. I have seen the importance of this message and this "methodology" of bridging the "money gap" in which both ministries and donors must grapple. Rob not only offers proven answers, but also gives us paths to true sustainability as organizations see that money is not the real issue. Leadership and a realignment with true biblical principles are what is often needed, and Rob shows us how. Henry Cloud, author and leadership consultant Having worked and traveled with Rob Martin for nearly thirty years, I have come to respect and admire his penetrating insights about money and missions, and his ability to cut through promotional fog and to see clearly what truly effective ministry looks like. This book distills the best of Rob’s wisdom, interlaced with profound biblical insight and sprinkled with lively humor. I recommend it as a "must read" for anyone who is giving or raising money. David W. Bennett, Global Associate Director for Collaboration and Content, Lausanne Movement Board Member, First Fruit, Inc.Rob Martin masterfully tells stories to communicate a powerful message about the communion of giving and receiving. You will find yourself laughing, nodding in agreement, then best of all, you will discover that on the adventure, like a wise, old friend, he helped you learn how to rally local sustainable support, how to earn trust with excellence and keep it with accountability, and how to encourage financial transactions in a way that fosters spiritual transformation. If you are engaged in God’s global mission, read this book to lift your learning curve heavenward. Gary G. Hoag, ECFA International Liaison Rob Martin’s brilliance as both a mission’s director and a global funder of evangelical ministry is on full display in this highly practical and story-based narrative of co laborative funding principles and practices. Everyone on the journey of money on mission—local or global donors, ministry leaders or workers, board members or executives—would benefit from implementing what they learn from Rob’s experience in mobilizing more resources to catalyze and sustain God’s work. Ron Williams, chairman of Cornerstone Trust The church knows that something urgently needs to change in the global economy of missions today, but what and how? In When Money Goes on Mission, the Lord uses fundraising sage Rob Martin to connect the dots of mission history to find "a true and equal partnership in a cross-cultural or international setting, where each offers the other what they need in pursuit of their mutual callings." Magnificently presented! Barbara Shantz, advisor, Give Way Visioneering; co-catalyst of Lausanne Ministry Fundraising Network It is easy to give money naively, never understanding that your gift made a difficult situation worse. It is also easy to decide that it is best to never give, justified by the idea that outside funding harms people and leads to dependency. The more challenging space is to remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and discerning regarding the character of leaders, the viability of financial processes and ministry strategies, and the impact of cultural realities and expectations, to know how to share God’s resources in God’s mission in ways that truly further His purposes and foster ever-deepening growth and spiritual maturity for everyone involved. That is the focus of this book and why it is so important to read! Mary Lederleitner, author of Cross-Cultural Partnership: Navigating the Complexities of Money and Mission The dean of Christian philanthropy, Rob Martin, solves the puzzle of charities asking and donors giving in When Money Goes on Mission. A must buy. Tom McCallie, President, Westwood Endowment Former Executive Director, The Maclellan Foundation, Inc.Rob Martin has coached mission leaders from over forty nations and has equipped hundreds of leaders in undeveloped economies to create funding sources in their own contexts. Rob has also provided new insights and practical tools for these leaders to build sustained relationships across oceans that avoid toxic charity and create joy for both donors and mission leaders. Captured by the phrase "sustained interdependence," When Money Goes on Mission names a whole new way of understanding philanthropy and fundraising that will quickly become the standard to which we all aspire. Brad Smith, President, Bakke Graduate University Rob Martin has written a ground-breaking book on money and mission. A storyteller well versed with on-the-ground experience, he opens the world of donors and doers. While money for mission is complex, he links the dynamics of asking, giving, and raising funds. His vision is well expressed by when "the giver and the receiver . . . are in communion . . . [they] are equal at the foot of the cross." This rich resource will be the go-to text for years to come. Brian C. Stiller, Global Ambassador, World Evangelical Alliance Any of those fortunate enough to be in mission realize that we stand on the shoulders of the saints who have gone before us. Rob is one such person, and the lessons he shares in these pages are as thoughtful as they are engaging. This is not a book of theories and platitudes; it is a memoir of wisdom and experience that will make any reader a better disciple. If you are involved in mission, then you must read this book. Quickly! Justin Narducci, President/Chief Executive Officer, Lifewater International Rob virtually invented what became known as "field visits." Unwilling to just read proposals, Rob wanted to look petitioners in the eye and see who they really were and what they really did. People from around the world seek his counsel. Now his book brings a fresh, thoughtful, and vitally important perspective on money—giving and receiving. Humble and always with good humor, he has written this book with his life. Phill Butler, founder of InterCristo, InterDev, and Vision Synergy Why another book on fundraising? Rob Martin’s amazing insight is a fitting response to this question given how his book bridges a noticeable gap in many of the previously written materials. Rob begins with a personal story and highlights the important role that God plays in funding His work. From the very beginning, he clearly submitted that God is at the center of fundraising and support development. I commend the book to everyone and pray that you experience joy as you encounter God in your own journey in fundraising. Kehinde Ojo, Indigenous Support Development Director, IFESWhen I met Rob Martin, I was impressed with his insight into the challenges faced by my friends in Latin America who were trying desperately to find a way to pay the bills so they could build ministries from which to fulfill their calling. It was not so much his professional insight that made the difference, but his willingness to make their struggle his own. As a result, his new book is not about how money goes on mission, but a compilation of lessons he learned from his new friends as they all went on mission together. The Spirit of God is doing a new work in our day—in which new mission initiatives are emerging around the world in places that we in the West thought of as our mission field. As Rob immersed himself in this new work, he humbly learned lessons we can all use, and he wrote them down in When Money Goes on Mission. Timothy Halls, Executive Coordinator, Martureo—the Brazilian Center for Missiological Reflection When I first began leading a missions organization, I was given the (unsolicited) advice from a friend: "You need to get to know and learn from Rob Martin. He knows more about fundraising than you will ever learn." This is also my advice to you. Rob tells stories with a punch. He also is a blunt teller of truth when he needs to be. Reading his advice about writing proposals is worth the price of this book. You don’t have to learn everything in the school of hard knocks and mistakes. Instead, read Rob’s book. Greg Pritchard, Director, European Leadership Forum President, Forum of Christian Leaders Rob has a unique understanding of fund development and the changes that have taken place over the last few decades. His book provides a great deal of wisdom to leaders as they navigate their way forward in this area. Rob is a gift to Christian organizations, and his book is a "must read" for directors and leaders around the world. Janet Morgan, Scripture Union International Director (2004–2017) As one of the original founders of The Gathering, Rob Martin—through his wisdom, encouragement, humor, spiritual maturity, and friendship—has shaped the growth of global Christian philanthropy for decades. He is a sage and a treasure. Fred Smith, President of The Gathering Rob Martin never settles for easy answers or tired patterns. He teaches mission leaders and donors to blend together creative thinking, intense passion, expansive vision, and unwavering faith to guarantee the highest kingdom value from every gift. Roger Parrott, President, Belhaven University In spite of the good will and well-meaning intentions of givers—whom Rob Martin describes and honors in his book—the subtle power of the money-as-master paradigm has shaped how we think aboustrategize, and prioritize our kingdom relationships. No one knows better than Rob the agonies and joys of serving the global church from the angle of financial resourcing. He knows the mission field from inside as much as any nonresident can. He has been diligent and intelligent in learning all he can from the people he serves on the field and at home. His book helps us return money back to its proper and God-honoring place in Christian mission, thinking, and practice. It captures his wealth of knowledge and experience and converts it into an essential tool to help us rethink and reshape our mission service. Alexandre Araujo, consultant for Partnering with Global North and South Missions Movements Rob Martin is a prophetic voice reminding us of the sacredness of the exchange between the giver and receiver. When the granting is given and received with respect and in the right spirit, it moves beyond the transactional and becomes transformative for both the giver and receiver. Steve Perry, cofounder of Sacred Harvest Foundation; author of Living with Wealth without Losing Your Soul This book is full of practical and biblical wisdom about fund raising that Rob learned through years of experience as both a fund raiser and a donor. Not only will you learn a great deal as you read, but you’ll also remember what you learn because Rob is a great storyteller. Those colorful stories clearly illustrate his points and are both personal as well as unforgettable. Jane Overstreet, President and CEO, DAI This is the book we have been waiting for. Rob Martin is a trustworthy and experienced voice both for Christian philanthropists and ministry leaders. Few people have been more influential in shaping generous giving in mission around the world in the last thirty years. Rob’s larger-than-life persona, wisdom, senses of humor, and uncompromisingly direct style of communication come through. He has been sharing these stories and invaluable lessons for years, and now I can’t wait for a new generation of Christians to hear them. José de Dios, Coordinator, International Partnering Associates (IPA) The communion of giving and receiving is a radical paradigm in mobilizing God’s resources for ministries that can change the way people think about fundraising. Rob does not just write about concepts and theories but describes how money goes to mission in ways that transform both the giver and the receiver. His own spiritual journey, juxtaposed with funding missions, shows how the communion of giving and receiving grows people to greater understanding, trust, and love toward a common vision for the Gospel. Zenet Maramara, Asian Theological Seminary, Manila; Christian Stewardship AssociationThis book should be required reading for anyone involved in grant-making and leadership of a mission agency, as well as members of church missions boards. Rob Martin is one of the most respected and esteemed grant makers in the world, appreciated equally in the Western and Majority worlds. Fusing principles and storytelling, he traces the evolution of US grant-making in the last forty years, both in many grant-making agencies and in his own thinking. His reflections are principled, insightful, weighty, humble, helpful, and biblically rooted. Grant-makers and grant-receivers who heed and apply these principles are more likely to benefit from deeper partnerships and more God-honoring and fruitful ministries. Lindsay Brown, former General Secretary, International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES); former International Director, The Lausanne Movement In this moment of great change and unprecedented opportunity for the global church, Rob Martin is a trusted and experienced guide. Far more than a "how to guide" for raising funds, this book is about how to partner for Christ’s mission in ways that reflect our communion as God’s people! John Bernard, President, United World Mission Biblical, insightful, and immensely practical, this book brings together Rob Martin’s decades of expertise in leadership, fundraising, and partnership development for faith-based organizations. No stone is left unturned in helping the reader understand the process of developing outcome-based strategies that will motivate and draw partners (here and around the world) into a relationship of mutual stewardship and accountability in accomplishing the Great Commission. The principles in this book, if followed, can help change the destiny of your leadership and mission for God’s glory—it changed mine! Steven R. Johnson, Executive Vice President for Strategic Advancement, Phoenix Seminary Rob Martin has produced a masterpiece. His book on mission and money will be an invaluable source of wisdom for pastors, mission leaders, philanthropists, and all who are entrusted with the responsibility of raising and giving money. As one who has been mentored by Rob, I am profoundly grateful to have benefitted from his strong and curious intellect, his joyful personality, the rich qualities of his faith, his depth of expertise, and his generosity of spirit. This book, like his life, is a source of wisdom, hope, and joy. S. Douglas Birdsall, Honorary Chair, The Lausanne Movement Read more From the Back Cover Fundraiser X: You love people, do ministry, and need money. But fundraising makes you feel like a mix between a beggar and a snake-oil salesmanGiver X: You have money, love people, and want to support worthy ministries.But evaluating giving opportunities makes you feel like a mix between a con man’s mark and an ATM machine. BUT IT SHOULDN’T BE THAT WAY AND IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BEImagine fundraisers who pursue excellence in ministry, trust God, and communicate authentically, clearly, and confidently. Imagine generous givers who extend trust to worthy fundraisers, evaluate proposals in a way that honors God, and make significant kingdom impact. Then imagine them coming together in joyful, healthy trust-filled relationships. That’s the way it was meant to be and Rob Martin can help you get there. Plus, he’ll coach you through all the nitty-gritty practicalities along the way.You’re going to fundraise. You’re going to give. Don’t miss out on the joy that comes with it. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
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