Reston Bible Church desires to see solid, biblical, growing churches planted around the world. We define “missions” as a ministry outside the continental United States or a state-side ministry which supports ministries outside the continental United States. We support approximately 220 cross-cultural and national missionaries, many of whom have been raised at RBC. In this short series, Bill Hurley, Director of Missions at RBC, answers frequently-asked questions regarding our missions program.

HOW IS THE RBC MISSIONS PROGRAM FUNDED?

The Council of Elders at RBC have made Global Missions a budget line item to which they give $128,000.00 per month. Most all of this is committed and given to missionaries in monthly support. RBC currently supports 220 families around the globe. In addition to that budget figure, the program receives all monies designated to specific missionaries and all monies designated to missions in general. The designated gifts are given to the specific designated ministry. The monies given to missions in general are used by the Missions Committee to give to one-time needs of the missionaries RBC support. In the fiscal year August 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010, the Missions Committee was able to give out $50,194.00 in one-time gifts to meet specific needs of our missionaries.

The Local Missions budget is also a line item in the budget and most of the budget ($6750.00 per month) is given out each month in monthly support to the 15 various local ministries RBC supports.

WHAT IS THE MISSIONS COMMITTEE?

RBC has two separate missions committees, the Local Missions committee and the Global Missions committee. The Local Missions Committee oversees those we support who have a ministry within the 48 continental States. These include campus ministries, YoungLife, Sanctity of Life, prison ministry, etc. This committee consists of four people.

The Global Missions Committee administers those we support outside the 48 continental States. Some of the people we support are located within the 48 states, but their ministry is global. This committee consists of 15 people currently.

I do not recruit committee members. In order to serve in this ministry, the person needs to be led by the Lord. The process to join is simple – they let me know they are interested, I meet with them and I make a recommendation to the Elders and they make the final decision. Both committees, for the most part, operate by a simple majority. On a few very important issues, such as taking on a new missionary, the decision must be unanimous. I chair both committees.

(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part one)

(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part two)

(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part three)

(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part four)

(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part five)