Working with ICII isn't like a regular job. There's no paycheck, bonuses, insurance, retirement fund, or benefits, except of course the best ones of all, those provided by our Heavenly Father. However, His heavenly rewards are like none that any earthly career can give you. You will have to raise all your own support for all of your expenses. We can provide some tools to help you do this, but we can't do it for you.
How much are we talking about? We estimate it will cost about $250 to $300 per month per person to live in India. Your mileage may vary, depending on your lifestyle. The lifestyle you choose on the field will reflect your integrity and dedication to your calling. It will shout to the Indian people whether or not you care about them and their suffering. Even if you were able to raise enough support to live extravagantly in India, that doesn't justify doing so – we will require personal accountability and modest living. Your airfare will be roughly $1500 per person round trip, and you will have to pay for your passport, an Indian visa ($150), luggage, suitable clothing, personal supplies, and any immunizations or medications your doctor tells you to get. There may be more.
You will also be required to raise enough funds to carry out your goals or calling on the field. For example, if you believe that God wants you to come to India and give out Bibles to village people, great! We know that is needed. But we are already giving out all the Bibles we can get, so if God is calling you to do that, part of that calling has to be the ability to raise money to buy more Bibles so you can give them out. ICII can't supply materials for your ministry work unless you can help raise funds for it. Your goals must be compatible with the overall vision of ICII, something that we all can embrace as part of the work God would have ICII to do in India.
Even beyond your personal expenses and materials for ministry, you will be expected to contribute toward the common effort of ICII through your fundraising. This is because we realize that God is holding the Christians of prosperous countries responsible for funding the Gospel among poorer nations, and a big part of our job is to help them and motivate them to do that. We think you should be able and willing to set a goal of raising $1000 per month toward one or more of ICII's projects in India, like leprosy outreach or support for native missionaries. ICII will supply some tools, materials, and guidance to help you do fundraising. ICII is 501(c)3 tax-deductible, and we have "100%" programs where you can assure sponsors that all of their gifts will be used in India, the way they want.
You might say, "How can you expect me to be able to start raising so much money as soon as I start my mission term?" Well, here's a way to approach it. You should plan your trip well in the future (at least a year) and start working now toward building support so that by the time you arrive in India, you already have a good start on your fundraising. It may be beneficial for you to make a short-term visit to India before making long-range plans. If so, we'll talk it over with you first.
You can approach churches, social organizations, friends, family, businesses and more to share the vision of reaching the lost in India and invite them to be a part of it. You may use ICII videos, newsletters and other materials to help raise support. We have found that it is seldom necessary to ask for personal funds when you are sharing about the needs of the Indian people and the ministry there. The Lord often lays on hearts to give to the missionary as well. But you can make your need known if you feel to do so.
