Bray-Missionaries.org: “We want to be your Favorite mission...”

“CIS wants to be your favorite mission in 2009,” says President Bill Bray. “We realize that today’s Christians have many choices when it comes to giving the regular missionary support our Lord commands.

Dr. Bray announced a new Monthly for Missions program in January.

“In fact,” he says, “statistical studies show that most Christians already support many ministries and causes. Yet they have two or three favorites they most trust to regularly support the needs the Holy Spirit has laid upon their hearts. I am sure that we have what it takes to be one of those trusted ones, especially in the area of missions.

“Givers today want a Biblical mission that is guaranteed to be effective and righteous – and CIS is among the best.”

Dr. Bray said that the stewardship office of CIS is open every day to provide individuals and churches with the information and services they need – especially to those who are Monthly for Missions faith partners. To reach the Stewardship Office, call Ivy at 434-295-6488 or email brayivy@yahoo.com

“In order to help Christians give wisely and regularly,” Bray says the mission has instituted a seven-point program to serve Monthly for Missions partners. He calls it the SEVEN BE’s OF STEWARDSHIP.”

“We want to make sure that prayerful, mission-minded individuals will keep us at the top of their giving list,” says Bray, who has been a leader of indigenous mission agencies for over 43 years.

In 2009, Bray says that the CIS will be introducing a new Monthly for Missions program asking every supporter to include a monthly gift in their regular church and family budgets. “This is critical,” he says, “because in 2008 the mission was buffeted by harmful dips and surges in support.

“This does not honor the Lord or give glory to him because the world looks at our missionaries and questions the ability of God to provide for them! This is why the Apostle Paul even urged New Testament believers to lay aside their missionary offerings weekly so that there would be a steady supply of support!”

Bray lists the SEVEN BE’s OF STEWARDSHIP as:

BE THANKFUL – We recognize that each gift we receive comes from God and so we are thankful to the Lord and to the contributor who obeyed the Holy Spirit by giving it. Therefore we usually send a thank you note the same day – but always within 78 hours.

BE PROMT AND FAITHFUL TO THE WORD OF GOD – Distribute offerings as efficiently and effectively as possible while remaining true to all the standards of the Bible for handling money, and supporting missionaries who practice both sound doctrine and holy living.

BE ACCOUNTABLE – We send a receipt for every gift and an annual summary receipt at the end of the tax-year. Every gift, even the small, “Widow’s Mite” gifts are receipted unless the donor specifically asks us to not send a regular receipt.
BE RESPONSIBLE – We practice expensive, fund-accounting and honor the wishes of every donor within IRS regulations. Our Board of Directors respects designated and restricted gifts, forwarding them to specific needs, projects or fields as requested.
BE KNOWLEDGEABLE – The volunteers and missionary staff in the Stewardship Department do their best to keep up-to-date on the latest news from the missionaries and pass that along so that donors know as much as possible about how their offerings are being used.
BE TRANSPARENT – Make available copies of the Annual Report, plus certified audits, reviews and IRS reports as required. These show clearly how the entrusted resources are being used to accomplish our Lord’s work through the mission.
BE TRUTHFUL IN FUND RAISING – Meet the standards of the Better Business Bureau, Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, GuideStar and other similar organizations which are seeking to promote truth in fundraising even though we may not join them all.

Tax-deductible contributions for the support of CIS missions, projects and staff missionaries should be sent CIS, INC., P.O. Box 6511, Charlottesville, VA 22906 or online at www.bray-missionaries.org

For information about securities, gifts in kind or wills, please contact the Stewardship Office directly during office hours at 434-295-6488.

Tax-deductible contributions for the support of Bill & Ivy's Missionary Ministry may be given online, or should be sent to CIS, INC. MISSIONS, P.O. Box 6511, Charlottesville, VA 22906. THANK YOU.