The Purpose of This Fund / Its Genesis / Scriptural Principles
Requirements for Disbursements / See the IRS Determination Letter

The Purpose of This Fund

To provide financial aid to Christians in need in other countries and to support the teaching of the gospel in those areas.

The Genesis of This Fund

Two circumstances arose in our personal experience which prompted us to establish this fund. First, we received a call from a family in Mexico. The woman (a member of the church) was in a high-risk pregnancy. She had lost a child previously because she did not have the financial resources to pay for special medical treatment. She needed $600. Help arose... from an individual family, and now Celeste is alive and well. Praise the Lord!

On a second occasion, a preacher was taking the bus to go preach, and this caused him to be routinely away from his family overnight. Bus riding also significantly limited his ability to travel his circuit to the various churches to which he ministered. He was saving money for a car, but VERY slowly because of his minimal salary. When the report was made about his need, an individual came forward and wrote a check for $4,000! Now that this fund exists, such needs can be met while allowing for the donations to be tax deductible.

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Sometimes situations arise which require financial help from individuals. An individual's benevolence is not as restricted as the benevolence (or other financial support) of a congregation. See 1 Timothy 5. Also, an individual might have funds that s/he wants to go directly and quickly to a particular need. When a need is urgent, the fact that we know brethren in other countries allows us to act quickly.

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Requirements for Disbursements of Funds

Recipients must either be known personally by one of the directors of the fund, or must be recommended by at least two Christians known to one of the directors.

Government regulations regarding non-profit funds prohibit donors from earmarking their contributions, but donors are welcome to communicate to the directors concerning any needs of which they are aware. At the same time, the directors will try to inform potential donors of needs being considered.

Anyone receiving monthly support from the fund must file a report each month describing the previous month's activity and must notify the directors of the fund of any change in financial status. If these requirements are not met, a reminder is issued, and if no response is received within a month, disbursements may be discontinued.

Disbursements can only be made with the approval of a majority of the directors.

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