Streams

Three Streams Sustainability

Overview

Fundraising is challenging and stressful. Many people carry brokenness and bondage around their generous giving. Also, missionaries and nonprofits struggle every year to achieve their budget goals. The worst part is that their focus is usually on money and resources rather than faithful prayer and healthy relationships. We propose a simple, tested strategy for leaders to reach their annual budgets through three sustainable streams.

Definitions

  • Intercessors – prayer warriors who faithfully intercede and encourage.
  • Advocates – friends who open doors to new relationships and resources.
  • Investors – generous givers who invest their finances and resources consistently.

Intercessors Stream (Pray)

  • “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 NIV)
  • Prayer is the most important work of God’s kingdom on earth.
  • Jesus asked his disciples to pray at all times in the Holy Spirit.
  • Prayer connects the will of God with the resources of earth.
  • Prayer is asking God to provide for trustworthy leaders so they can focus and flourish.

Advocates Stream (Connect)

  • “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” answered Philip. (John 1:46 GNT)
  • Advocacy is the most undervalued and overlooked strategy in financial sustainability.
  • Advocacy is stewarding our relationships for Great Commission impact and progress.
  • Advocacy is simple: 1) pray through the contacts on your phone, 2) ask the Holy Spirit who needs to meet with your friend, and 3) set up a meeting to introduce and advocate.

Investors Stream (Give)

  • “The Macedonian churches gave not only what they could afford, but far more; giving generously of their own free will.” (2 Corinthians 8:3 NLT)
  • Investing requires faith and trust: faith in God and trust for him to provide all we need.
  • Investing is worship: sacrificially sharing what I’ve received with others in need.
  • Investing requires a Christ-centered heart: dying to self and giving freely to Jesus’ mission.
  • Generosity is rooted in Gospel identity: through Christ, we are God’s sons & daughters.
  • Generosity requires adoption: the Holy Spirit leads us to take care of others consistently.

Three Streams Sustainability

Ultimately, God is our Sustainer, Provider, and Protector. God also made us for relationships that produce mutual love and generosity. We are convinced that any support-raising leader and nonprofit can become financially sustainable through nurturing a healthy network of intercessors, advocates, and investors.

Every day, we ask God in prayer for a healthy network of intercessors, advocates, and investors for our ministry Generous Springs.

Please pray today about how God may be calling you to join our team as a prayer warrior, intentional advocate, or generous investor.