Why Give To FIC?

If you are considering giving to FIC, you need to know why we need your money and what we will do with it. We asked Steve Goss, Executive Director, to explain. Dated August 2003.

"Why does FIC need people to give"?
Because we want to see lots more lives changed. All the time we hear from Christians bursting with thanks because they are now walking in freedom. We want to accelerate that process.

"But I thought FIC was already a large, well-funded organisation? I mean, the leaflet itself looks very professionally produced as does your other material?"
Well, in fact we’re a very small organisation - we have the equivalent of just one and half full time paid staff. There are a lot more than that in the whole FIC team, of course, but most are not paid. For example, the 25 or so people in the teaching team receive only out-of-pocket expenses – they do it because they are passionate about seeing this country won for Christ. In addition, people like Carolyn Bramhall who runs our “deeply wounded” ministry rely on people supporting them personally. I‘m glad you like our printed material by the way - we are given the services of a professional graphic and web designer free of charge.

"So you don’t get funding from the States"?
We really appreciate the support we get from our colleagues in the States but none if it comes as financial support. They have their own financial challenges and it’s right that we should stand on our own two feet.

"So where does your funding come from"?
It splits fairly equally into three parts: donations from churches and individuals; profits from events; and profits from sales of books and other resources. Every book, video or tape you buy from us helps.

"How much is your total income"?
Last year, the funds available to us from these three items totalled around £60,000. As well as staff costs that has to cover: rental of our office and warehouse unit; telephone and utility bills; printing and posting our newsletters and catalogues; costs of running our internet site; and so on. We also give away a proportion of our income. If you do some quick sums, you’ll find that’s a very tight budget indeed. In fact, to be honest, it doesn’t actually cover it!

"You mentioned giving money away. Who do you give to"?
We particularly like to support the introduction of FIC principles in other countries. For example, we have made gifts to FIC India and we are helping establish an office in New Zealand. Particularly on our heart at the moment is a conference in West Africa for 10,000 pastors planned for Spring 2004 – a further £80,000 or so is needed to make this possible and we can contribute in a small way. This will have a huge impact on that important continent.

"How do you go about persuading people to give"?
To be honest I find this really difficult. I believe very strongly that it is the Lord who provides and that, if we are doing what He tells us to do, He will meet all our needs. He has always proved faithful. I remember once I remarked in the office that we could really do with £5,000 to print some decent publicity material. The very next day someone handed me a cheque for £6,000! On the other hand, the Lord works through people and we feel that it is right at this time that we make known some of our needs.

"How will my gift be used"?
This year we need £15,000 more than last year to cover the costs of expanding the support we offer to churches so that they can impact more people. I have a particular vision to reach young people - £20,000 would enable us to employ a leader for our new youth team and make an enormous impact. I also believe that the Lord will in due course provide the funds required to open a training centre for Christian leaders.

"Those amounts sound way beyond my budget!"
Don’t worry - I’m not expecting you to come up with it all! In fact it’s likely to come in through lots of small gifts. What we really appreciate is not so much the size of gift - no gift is too small - but that it is given regularly. That enables us to plan and budget. I am so grateful to our faithful regular givers and see them very much as part of the team. Plans are afoot to make sure that they receive a regular update from me on the effect that their gifts are having.

"So what would you like people to do"?
If people have found FIC helpful in their own lives and share our vision for preparing the Church for revival, I’d ask them to consider whether they can offer us regular financial support. They will be playing a vital part. Individuals can give by standing order and, if they are tax payers, we can reclaim income tax and inflate the value of their gift by a quarter. But we’d also like churches to consider making us part of their regular outward giving – we can provide a Powerpoint or hard copy presentation that they can use to explain the work of FIC to wider meetings. I’d simply urge everyone to ask the Lord whether He is leading them to become part of our wider team by giving regularly. They can do it in the knowledge that they will be helping the Church make a real impact on this nation.
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