More Than A Financial Hub
What is the purpose?
If you were asked to describe the purpose of a mission organization’s Home Office, what would you say?
For Louise, the Home Office was a place where applications were processed, as well as ensuring a clear accounting for the money coming in and going out for its missionary work. However, after volunteering in the SEND Canada Office for 14 months, Louise came to realize that it was not just an application-processing place and a financial hub. She observed that the Home Office is an essential part of the overall mission work.
It has a variety of functions that fill an important role in the life of their missionaries, which then contributes to their fruitfulness.
Volunteering
In 2014, Louise retired and was looking for something to help her through this transition period, until she and her husband discerned where God was leading them next. She was hoping for something that was not a huge time commitment, yet a place where she could use her skills and gifts. About this time, Louise heard of a volunteer position in the SEND Canada Office.
The Mundane and Menial Glorifies God
It was not a high profile role, but an important one to ensure the efficient running of the Finance department. Initially, Louise opened and sorted mail, and handled cheques. This morphed into filing documents which led to sorting through the files and removing inactive and dormant ones. Though these projects might be deemed mundane and menial by some, Louise saw how it helped the people in the department feel that they were on top of their paper work, and more importantly, that through this type of behind the scenes mission work, God can be glorified
!
In addition to this, Louise saw the depth of care the Home Office provides for those missionaries God brings into the organization.
Member care was always being provided, whether it was through the processing of applications, dealing with the finances or while the missionary/family was on Home Service. Louise made the observation that a vibrant, efficient Home Office is key
, and if the Home Office is struggling in any area, the field missionaries will be impacted as well.
Also, Louise saw how the staff worked together
to resolve issues which had arisen. Though these times were stressful and tense, and could damage relationships, Louse observed a determined willingness to come together in a Spirit of Unity for the purpose of resolving the problem.
A Change of Heart
Louise and her husband, Rod, have supported different organizations and missionaries over the years; and Louise was of the opinion that the administration fee missions have was too high!! However, after having spent time in the office, and seeing firsthand the support and care it provides for its missionaries, she realized that not only were these fees vital, but that they were not nearly enough to wholly pay for the wide range of important services provided by the Home Office. Louise now wishes that more could be done financially for the Home Office!
Providing quality Member Care services can put a Home Office into financial challenges. Please join Louise, and others in prayer, for people willing to participate in the work of Kingdom-building through financial giving to the Home Office.
Also, pray that God would continue to use the Home Office staff to provide encouraging and compassionate member care for its missionaries.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
