EMQ » January–March 2022 » Volume 58 Issue 1
[memberonly folder=”Members, EMQ2YearFolder, EMQ1YearFolder, EMQLibraryInstitution”]By Abhijit Nayak
In recent years, the role and contributions of indigenous (national) missionaries in world evangelization among the unreached people groups in the hard places of South Asia (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar) have been highlighted by Christian missions worldwide. Unfortunately, most Christian organizations and churches in the Western world are under the misunderstanding that an indigenous missionary needs only $100 in US dollars (INR 7000) or so per month for living (US$1 = 70 Indian Rupees in approximate). This misconception has two myths. Firstly, the cost of living in a developing world is inexpensive. Secondly, indigenous missionaries can live and survive with little.
Some suggest that $50 a month for an indigenous missionary is sufficient to live, survive, and thrive. For instance, a well-known North American based organization specializing in the promotion and support of indigenous missionaries suggests $35 a month. Whereas another, located in Virginia, suggests $60 a month. Another agency, Advancing Native Missions, appeals to Christians in the West to sponsor an indigenous missionary at a more realistic $250 a month.
I have worked as a frontline missionary since 1997. Over the past twenty-five years, I have engaged with national missionaries on a personal level. On the one hand, it is a motivating factor that national missionaries are effective in today’s context as they know the language, culture, and systems of their own region to reach their own people. On the other hand, it is hardship for an indigenous missionary to maintain his work with meager monthly support. It is my intent in this article to provide realistic figures and highlight the indigenous missionaries’ financial needs, as this field of investigation is long overdue.
After many enquiries and interviews with indigenous missionaries, I decided to highlight and provide some realistic figures of the basic needs/expenses that would be incurred by a national missionary into three categories. The total monthly financial support needed is the total of these three categories of expenses. To my best abilities, I have kept my assessment at normal or even below normal levels without provisions for any comforts or luxuries of life. Expenses are calculated for a family of four.
Fixed Monthly Expenses
Item Quantity Cost (INR)
————————————————————————
Rice 25 kg 750 [right-align numeral column]
Wheat 10 kg 350
Sugar 3 kg 135
Milk 20 Liter 1,000
Eggs 24 pcs 145
Spices/Grocery Misc. 900
Cooking Oil 4 Liter 800
Vegetables 50 kg 1,500
Chicken/Fish 5 Kg 1,000
Propane Tank 1 Tank (14.5 Kg) 890
Electricity 100 units 500
Water – 200
Toothpaste 1 Tube (100 gm) 50
Bathing Soap 3 80
Washing Powder 2 kg 600
Gasoline (Motor Bike) 10 Liter 1,500
Education/Child INR.1500 (2) 3,000
Offering/Tithes 2,000
Phone + Internet 500
Miscellaneous 500
————————————————————————
Fixed Monthly Expenses Total INR 16400
Variable Monthly Expenses
Monthly House Rent for a two-bed room unit which has basic amenities.
- In small village/towns INR 3500
- In larger towns INR 4500
- In cosmopolitan city INR 8000
If the national missionary is residing in his own home in a village or town, then themonthly house rent can be deducted from the total monthly expenses.
Fixed Annual Expenses
Item Cost (INR)
——————————————————————————————————
Clothing for man (2 pairs) 3,000
Clothing for woman (2 pairs) 2,500
Clothing for boy (2 pairs) 2,000
Clothing for girl (2 pairs) 2,000
Inner Clothing (4 persons) 1,000
Warm Clothing (1 pairx4 persons) 2,000
School Uniforms (2 pairs x 2) 4,000
Textbooks/Study Material (2) 4,000
Medical Expenses 3,000
Holidays/Christmas 5,000
Motor Bike Insurance/Repairs 2,500
Miscellaneous (Sandals/shoes, socks, towels, home furnishing) 6,000
——————————————————————————————————
Fixed Annual Expenses 37,000
Average share per month 3,083
Required Support Every Month
Fixed Expenses + House Rent
- In small village/towns: 16400 + 3500 + 3083 = INR 22983 ($328)
- In larger towns: 16400 + 4500 + 3083 = INR 23983 ($342)
- In Cosmopolitan city: 16400 + 8000 + 3083 = INR 27483 ($392)
The above presentation of figures does not include expenses such as hospitality, newspaper, fruits, and cosmetics preparations. Many other capital expenses like the cost of buying a motor bike, furniture, mattresses, utensils, television, and computer are excluded as some consider these items as luxuries for missionaries. In comparison with missionaries from the West (at least they raise $4,000 per month) living in developing countries, the total figures needed per month for an indigenous missionary is much lower and less than actual cost.
Conclusion
Most indigenous missionaries live by faith, and they are content even if they do not get support even at this minimum level. They continue to depend on God and serve the Lord in the context of discrimination and persecution. Indigenous missionaries, their spouses and children deserve a fair amount of support for their lives because of their call and commitment to the Great Commission.
I suggest that an indigenous missionary needs an average of $300–$400 per month depending on the locations of ministry. My attempt in this article is to highlight the needs of national missionaries and to motivate fellow Christians, churches, and Christian organizations to pray, and to think more realistically and wisely. As a result, there should be appropriate action to support the national missionaries and come alongside them in the gospel work.
Abhijit Nayak is from Odisha, India. He is currently leading an organization that is engaged in reaching the unreached and training indigenous missionaries in persecuted regions of South Asia.
EMQ, Volume 58, Issue 1. Copyright © 2022 by Missio Nexus. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from Missio Nexus. Email: EMQ@MissioNexus.org.
