Radical Mission Project Matching Fund

Shortly after we concluded our Radical sermon series, an individual in our congregation made an anonymous donation to facilitate "radical mission projects" by groups in our church. Last night the missions committee approved the criteria for the distribution of this fund. The criteria is as follows,


Objective: The purpose of this fund is to encourage and facilitate mission projects by Calvary Baptist Church groups which minister holistically to the under-reached and/or the underserved outside of our church family and beyond the Calvary campus. (A group may be a Bible Fellowship, an affinity group or a group formed solely for that purpose). The intent is to mobilize people to serve in a context beyond Calvary Life (as suggested in the radical challenge).


Nature of the fund: This fund consists of a $100,000 designated donation. Unless, there are additional donations made to this fund or budget monies directed to it, the fund will exist only as long as there is a balance in that designated account. Matching funds will be drawn from the principal balance. (This is not an endowment). The fund will match every dollar that the group contributes to the project.


Amount limits: At this point there is no minimum amount. However, it is suggested that any project requiring funds of $1500 or less can be approved by the matching fund subcommittee. Any project requiring funds over $1500 should be approved by either the pastoral staff team or the missions committee.


Geographical scope: The project can be anywhere beyond the Calvary campus; from Hidalgo County to the ends of the earth.


Definitions:


Mission project: An event or development that serves a population beyond the Calvary family, away from the Calvary campus, and has the intent to minister holistically. In other words, the ultimate purpose of the event or development is to share the message of the gospel while demonstrating the love of Christ as human needs are met. These events or developments can be a medical brigade, the provision of a water well, the construction of a home, the training of job skills, etc., etc.


Under-reached: This is any population that does not already have a strong local church for its culture and language. These may include indigenous people groups in other countries or particular cultural groups in our region.


Underserved: These are those that we sometimes refer to as “the least of these.” They include the poor, the widow, the orphan, the immigrant, the abused, etc.




Criteria:


Those receiving matching funds must meet all of the following criteria,

1. The ultimate objective of the project is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are being served.
2. The project must be church-approved in one of the following ways: (1) the church identifies a project through its pastoral staff and/or missions committee or (2) the Radical mission project matching fund committee approves it as part of the application process.
3. It must meet a specific tangible need (i.e.: food, housing, water, education, medical, etc.).
4. The group must be led by a Calvary church member who is accountable for administering the funds.
5. The project must target populations beyond the Calvary family and be carried out away from the Calvary campus. This is not a benevolence fund for the Calvary family but a missions endeavor.
6. All members of the team participating in the project shall have done a group study of the book Radical by David Platt in preparation for the mission trip or project.
7. The matching funds are to be used only for actual ministry materials and supplies. It is not to be used for transportation or travel expense.

Application Process:


A Radical mission project matching fund sub-committee shall be appointed by the missions committee in consultation with the pastor liaison to the committee as follows:

1. The sub-committee will consist of three members who will serve a maximum of three years. If the fund lasts longer than two years, provision should be made for the rotation of sub-committee members.
2. Sub-committee members may be members of the missions committee but do not have to be. No more than one sub-committee member should be a member of the missions committee. All committee members must be Calvary Baptist Church members in good standing.
3. At their first meeting, the subcommittee shall elect a chair (if one has not been appointed yet) and approve the application form to be used).
4. Application forms will be provided through the missions office of Calvary Baptist Church. (Their availability should be announced via the church bulletin, website and other means). Applications will be submitted to the missions office or the chairperson of the subcommittee.
5. The subcommittee shall meet as needed to review applications and take action on them.
6. The subcommittee shall provide a monthly report to the missions committee and to the pastor liaison for the committee.

Revisions to this document may be recommended by the pastoral staff team, the matching fund sub-committee or the missions committee and be approved by the missions committee.


Additionally, the missions committee appointed Mario Samaniego as one of three that will process the applications.


I am grateful to the Lord for the donor of this fund, for the missions committee and for the stories that we will hear in the months ahead. Lives will be impacted with the love of Christ in tangible ways as we minister holistically to people beyond Calvary.


To God be the glory, great things he has done and great things He will do!