My wife drives a Jeep Liberty. Correction. My wife seldom drives a Jeep Liberty.  She typically drives 100 miles a week so after thirteen years, we had to purchase a new set of tires. Like a fool, I complained. Then I was reminded we bought the car when George W. Bush was in his first term as president. It doesn’t matter how nice or powerful the car is; no tires equals no go. A new set of tires every thirteen years is actually better than I bargained for.  It’s just the cost of doing business.

In the Baptist Bible Fellowship, we have an outstanding roster of missionaries.  In my opinion, they are some of the best in the world.  They are innovative, effective, committed, and passionate people doing a great job pushing the gospel outward and onward.  However, there has to be an infrastructure in place; it’s just the cost of doing business.

Our World Mission Service Center is primarily tasked with processing funds securely and maintaining records accurately.  As you know, many in our world would love to find ways to illegally tap into financial accounts or intercept the international transfer of funds.  It doesn’t matter to any criminal that our money has been dedicated to God and His purposes.  We must sustain highly secured procedures with professionally trained personnel in order to see God’s work go forward.  It’s just the cost of doing business.

Additionally, our Mission Office gives great attention in the emotional and spiritual care of our missionary force.  They are uniquely qualified to understand the needs these wonderful families face.  Ongoing communication, as well as special events and gatherings, provide ministry directed towards every member of the missionary family.  These are just some of the things provided by the Mission Office that have proven to be the encouragement our missionaries need.  Again, it’s the cost of doing business.

Our Mission Office is a bit like my wife’s car; long on service and short on maintenance. It has long been the philosophy of our Fellowship to keep our overhead to a minimum so the bulk of our missionary giving can go directly to the field. The necessary services of the Mission Office always carry a monetary cost. Our support of the Mission Office facilitates the structure that directly assists an army of missionary personnel.  Yes, there are costs. It’s the cost of doing business; God’s business.

-by Tim Adrian, pastor of Westside Baptist Church | Hutchinson, KS