Posted on 09/04/2020 7:50:55 AM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
I want to try and help the parts of the Lord's body (that are suffering right now) whether by prayer, gifts, letters, etc. Does anyone have advice about how to reach to these suffering Christians? .
I don't know where to even begin. .
If I have to go through a ministry, I will. But I would much rather give directly. .
All advice accepted with gratitude.
If we die with him, we’ll live with him;
If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him;
If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up—
for there’s no way he can be false to himself.
God knows who belongs to Him.
spurn evil, all you who name God as God.
Perhaps ask your pastor for individual names/contacts and give to them directly?? Not sure. Seems the mechanics of giving directly is awkward.
Why not give to a local ministry such as a Christian food bank or soup kitchen if you have one in your area?
Try Voice of the Martyrs.
Research first, of course.
And you can never wrong by endowing the Salvation Army.
It is difficult to find a site that doesn’t skim too much off the top, or has a crooked leader, I have searched, too.
Will he watching replies.
Avoid the ads you see on TV and radio. Even if they are legitimate, marketing costs eat up a huge amount of the funds
Look local. Get involved. Then you’ll know where your money is going.
I agree with the Salvation Army. We also give to Samaritans Purse.
Giving money directly makes us feel good but generally harms the person receiving it.
He is an idea. Don’t pontificate so much and just find a site and donate. Nobody has to know your business.
Because once everybody does then it’s not such a big deal that you’re giving
My wife and I have increasingly moved towards giving to those we know directly who are in need and organizations or missionaries that we know. I have been very disheartened with the salaries and overhead costs of many of the more prominent Christian charities.
I don’t begrudge anyone a good living for work they do, but too many “charity” organizations are run like Fortune 500 companies for salaries and that does not even consider additional expenses those at the top of the pyramid are given (lavish travel, clothing allowances, etc).
The scandal within the NRA (Wayne had hundreds of thousands of dollars as an allowance to buy suits?) is a good example of this problem and it happens within “Church ministries” as well. Do your own research and ask them how the money is spent, what are the salaries and overhead, and how much of each dollar goes for the intended purpose. If they won’t tell you that is your answer.
I like Franklin Graham, but his “salary” is very high. Who else within the organization makes that kind of salary?
Each person has to decide on their own, but it makes me nervous when you see numbers like that.
The Salvation Army has a great volunteer model that minimizes overhead costs.
Samaritans Purse rocks! Also Adult/Teen Challenge for those caught in the nightmare of addiction.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=15090
I don’t know how the Salvation Army does what they do, but they are amazing!
Because, we are not really capable of determining, who is really needy.
We contribute monthly to our Local Salvation Army’s general fund and to their training programs.
The SA’s general fund got a nice share of our recent Covid Checks.
I have been giving monthly to a local womens Carmelite monastery (enclosed order of Catholic nuns). They sent out a special appeal since Covid has really reduced their financial support. We need all the prayers we can get!
A great way to tease out the salary of the leader is Charity Navigator. Here for example is the salary of the CEO for Teen Challenge.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=15090#compensation-of-leaders
Unfortunately, the Salvation Army doesn’t report:https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/133485289
It is difficult to find a site that doesn’t skim too much off the top, or doesn’t have a crooked leader, I have searched, too.
Will be watching replies.
I knew the kids of the founder of World Medical Mission(Dr Furman). The Furmans sunk a ton of money to get the whole things started up. I know the impact that the ministry has so I support it even if I disagree with some things. It really is huge world changer.
An interesting list I’ve not seen before:
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=2203
For example:
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=10293
and
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8280
“I don’t know how the Salvation Army does what they do, but they are amazing!”
Their boards often have some tremendous former execs with major our successful local companies.
Our local SA Board has a couple of retired purchasing officers, and it is amazing the deals they get for the SA local chapter.
My wife and I with a small group of friends have adopted going to the head cook or the CO of the local Salvation Army during fires, floods, times of need to find out what they need.
I handle those needs or call for help. While I’m shopping at Walmart to fill those needs, my wife is buying Walmart gift cards from her funds and/or friends at the Walmart office.
The cooks get the kitchen/food orders.
The wife of the SA local director gets the gift cards from my wife. All of them cry and thank my wife.
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