Jodi Nichols cries when she talks about it. Husband, Kevin, says he would rather be hit with a baseball bat.
The couple from Wheeler, Miss., committed their lives to missions nearly two years ago. They planned to move to Russia with their four children in January. But in the midst of a rocky economy and shortfalls in missions giving, they won’t be going anytime soon.
The IMB is cutting 600 missionaries from the current number just under 5600 by the end of 2010. The cuts will come from normal attrition processes.
“It hurt,” says Kevin of the day he, his wife and about 200 others also called to missions learned the Southern Baptist IMB (International Mission Board) did not have the funds to send them.
“Today it still doesn’t feel real … I know what God has called us to … [but] it takes money,” he says.
For now, the Nicholses are uncertain when — or if — they will be able to go to the mission field. By the time the economy rebounds, their oldest child may be 15 or 16, and IMB discourages the appointment of families with children that old.
The Nichols family’s situation is a snapshot of how a struggling economy impacts lives — both here and around the globe. Because the Nicholses can’t go, someone in Russia may not hear the Gospel.
How much does it cost to support a missionary?
• $40,931.64 a year• $3,410.97 a month
• $787.15 a week
• $112.14 a day
• $4.67 an hour
• $.08 a minute
Reported June 2009. Support includes housing, food, children’s education, medical expenses, retirement and more.
This a touching story. We will be praying for the Nichols. I am challenged by this because the failure to raise support for obedient followers is not only the problem of America but also that of the Body of Christ. Support raising should be global and not continental. I think Americans have do so well for so long. It is about time that those to whom missionaries are sent be able to share in that responsibility.
ReplyDeleteWe Africans have been in the receiving end and need to work on supporting God's servants no matte where they are. We are working on a sustainability program to champion that cause. For too long our partnership has been unbalanced and it is about time we all learn to obey God in the area of giving, to amply supply the needs of missionaries.
Our prayers are with missionaries who may fall in this category. Don't give up nor give in! God will either use you within and or without. What matters is our availability.
Kokeh