A monthly support goal is built from three core components:
① Living Expenses
② Administration Costs
③ Ministry Expenses
Below is a clear, reproducible method for calculating each part.
① Living Expenses
Choose the model that matches your situation.
(¥ → USD converted at ≈155 JPY per 1 USD)
| Model | Yen | USD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Single, S (Saiki) | ¥150,000–¥180,000 | $970–$1,160 |
| Single, Futako‑Tamagawa | ¥180,000–¥240,000 | $1,160–$1,550 |
| Family, S | ¥300,000–¥380,000 | $1,930–$2,450 |
| Family, Futako‑Tamagawa | ¥350,000–¥450,000 | $2,260–$2,900 |
Your actual living expenses depend on location, family size, and rent, so personalize your number.
② Administration Costs
If your sending organization requires administrative fees, the common range is:
- 10–15% of total living expenses
Formula:
Administration Costs = Living Expenses × 10–15%
③ Ministry Expenses
This includes:
- Language study
- Teaching or gospel materials
- Transportation for ministry
- Event costs, hospitality
- Books and training
Most missionaries set $65–$325/month (≈¥10,000–¥50,000) depending on ministry scope.
🔢 Example Calculation (Single, S model)
Assumptions
- Living Expenses: ¥170,000 → ≈ $1,097
- Administration Rate: 12%
- Ministry Costs: ¥20,000 → ≈ $129
Step‑by‑step
- Administration: $1,097 × 12% = $132
- Ministry: $129
- Monthly Goal = 1,097 + 132 + 129
→ $1,358/month (≈ ¥210,400)
➡ Monthly Support Goal: about $1,360
🔢 Example Calculation (Family, Futako‑Tamagawa)
Assumptions
- Family Living Expenses: ¥410,000 → ≈ $2,645
- Administration Rate: 10%
- Ministry Costs: ¥30,000 → ≈ $194
Step‑by‑step
- Administration: $2,645 × 10% = $265
- Ministry: $194
- Monthly Goal = 2,645 + 265 + 194
→ $3,104/month
➡ Monthly Support Goal: about $3,100
📌 What NOT to include in your monthly budget (but still required)
These must be prepared separately from your monthly support:
- Move‑in fees (deposit, key money, first rent, guarantor fees)
- Airfare and travel costs
- Furniture and appliances
- Visa‑related expenses
- Emergency Reserve (1–2 months of living expenses)
Never mix one‑time startup costs into your monthly goal. It confuses supporters and makes planning harder.
🎁 Supporter‑Friendly Explanation Template
“Our monthly support goal is $○○○○. It includes $○○○○ for living expenses, $○○○○ for administration, and $○○○○ for ministry needs. These are the essential monthly costs that allow us to serve consistently. In addition, we prepare separate start‑up funds and an emergency reserve before departure.”
This communicates transparency, responsibility, and credibility.
✔ Key principles for a trustworthy support plan
- Living Expenses reflect your actual city and lifestyle
- Administration uses your agency’s required percentage
- Ministry Costs follow your ministry vision
- Startup and Emergency Savings stay separate from the monthly goal
- The structure shows you are preparing wisely and realistically
This approach helps supporters see that
your financial plan is mission‑driven, not arbitrary.
