1. What Is Support Raising?
Support raising means asking churches, friends, and supporters to give money and prayer support so that a missionary can live and work in another country.
It is not only fundraising.
It is also:
- building relationships
- sharing your vision
- inviting people to join God’s work with you
Support raising is part of the mission, not only preparation.
2. What Costs Should a Missionary Think About?
When a mission agency sends a missionary to Japan (or anywhere),
it usually divides the costs into five main groups:
2.1 Living Expenses
These are the basic costs to live:
- Rent and utilities
- Food
- Transportation
- Insurance and medical care
- Education for children (if needed)
Japan is expensive.
A general estimate:
- Single missionary: ¥200,000–¥300,000 per month
- Missionary family: ¥300,000–¥450,000 per month
(Amounts may change depending on location and lifestyle.)
2.2 Ministry Expenses
Costs for doing mission work:
- Travel for ministry
- Events, teaching materials, books
- Japanese language study (very important for new missionaries)
2.3 Administration Costs
Mission agencies need money to operate.
Many agencies ask missionaries to give 10–15% of their support to help with these costs.
2.4 Start-Up Costs
These are one-time costs when arriving in Japan:
- Airplane tickets
- Furniture and appliances
- Deposit for an apartment (Japan can be expensive for this)
- Visa fees
- Insurance during travel
Start-up cost can be around ¥500,000–¥1,500,000.
2.5 Emergency Reserve
Money saved for emergencies:
- Medical emergencies
- Sudden changes
- Emergency travel back home
Most agencies recommend 1–2 months of living expenses saved as a reserve.
3. How Much Support Is Enough to Give the “Go” Sign?
Different agencies have different standards,
but most mission organizations use similar guidelines.
✔ Support Needed Before Sending
1. Monthly support goal reached: 80–100%
This means:
- At least 80% of all needed monthly support is already promised
- 90% is usually enough for many organizations
- 100% is ideal and safest
Monthly support should be regular, not one-time gifts.
2. Start-up funds fully prepared
The missionary must have enough money for:
- flights
- apartment deposit
- furniture, initial setup
- visa fees
Without this, beginning life in Japan is difficult.
3. Emergency fund saved
The missionary should have 1–2 months of living expenses in savings.
4. Prayer and relationship support is strong
Missionaries need:
- churches praying for them
- friends and partners who understand their vision
- people they can stay connected with
Support raising is more than money—it also builds community.
4. How to Do Support Raising (Step-by-Step)
Here is a simple and practical process.
Step 1: Calculate your needs
Work with your mission agency to calculate:
- monthly living expenses
- ministry expenses
- administrative fees
- start-up costs
- emergency savings
Make a clear budget.
Step 2: Make your vision clear
Before asking for support, prepare to explain:
- why you are going to Japan
- what God has called you to do
- what kind of ministry you will start or join
A clear message helps supporters understand and join your mission.
Step 3: Contact churches and individuals
Talk with:
- your home church
- other churches
- friends and family
- ministry partners
Face-to-face meetings or video calls work best.
Step 4: Gather monthly commitments
Make a simple system to track:
- who promised support
- how much they will give each month
- how much more is needed
Many missionaries use a spreadsheet or a special app.
Step 5: Prepare for departure
When support reaches the needed level, start preparing:
- Visa procedures
- Japanese language study plans
- Housing search
- Plane tickets
- Cultural and safety training
- Team preparation in Japan
This step begins only after the “Go” decision.
5. Clear Standards for Support Raising (Summary Table)
| Item | Recommended Standard |
|---|---|
| Monthly support | 80–100% promised |
| Start-up funds | 100% prepared |
| Emergency reserve | 1–2 months of living expenses |
| Regular monthly supporters | Yes (not only one-time gifts) |
| Prayer supporters | 30–50 units (churches + families + individuals) |
| Go decision | Around 80–90% or more of goal reached |
