Donna’s Story: The Beauty of Partnering with Missionaries
April 2025
God is constantly working through His people to advance His kingdom around the world. When He calls missionaries to serve, He also calls others to support through prayer and giving—creating a beautiful partnership in the work of the gospel. Donna is one faithful partner in missions who has embraced this calling wholeheartedly. For over 25 years, she has supported missionaries like MaryAnn. She understands that missions isn’t about one person’s work, but about God working through His people. Recognizing that missionaries give their entire lives to God, Donna says, “It's important that they get money from the outside to help them to survive.” God invites His people to participate in His mission no matter what their role is. While He calls some to the mission field, He calls others to partner with them from afar—but they are all equally participating in the Great Commission. That’s why Donna wakes up each morning and prays, “Okay, God, You woke me up. What do You have for me to do today for Your Kingdom?”
She prays for missionaries to have strength when they feel discouraged, for protection in dangerous situations, and for them to find opportunities to share the gospel. When MaryAnn recently injured her foot, Donna was quick to intercede: “Lord, please heal her—she’s got more work to do for You. I know You want her to rest and be in Your Word for a little while, but please, keep her safe.” Donna recognizes that missions is a calling for the whole church. Her role in praying for the missionaries she supports is just as vital as those who serve overseas. As the Apostle Paul says, one person does the work of planting the gospel, while another one waters it, but God is the one who makes it grow. Missions is all about God—not about the goers and the senders. Jesus declared that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and Donna has definitely experienced this firsthand. “You know that passage where Paul says, ‘We gave of ourselves’?” she asks. “That’s what supporting missions is like. There’s lots of love and relationship.” Over the years of partnering with MaryAnn, God has blessed the two of them with a beautiful friendship. “MaryAnn is precious to me,” Donna shares. We all have a role in the Great Commission. At 81, Donna has no plans to stop. “I’ll be doing this until God calls me home,” she says with a smile. Whether through giving, praying, or going, God is inviting you to take part in His redemptive work. Check out EncompassWorldPartners.org/Give to see all our amazing missionaries who you can partner with.“I’ll be doing this until God calls me home.”
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