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Friend Raising has been recently re-released and re-promoted among Support Raising specialists.  Betty has been serving in a support-based role since the early 1980's1980s.  This book contains materials she developed and published in the early 90 's90s.  More More than giving a guide for how to effectively raise funds, this book overcomes mind-set mindset obstacles held by missionaries and churches related to the fund-raising process.  It may speak well in a context like YWAM where the idea of going by faith on nothing can be romanticized.  

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In Reliant's context where partner organizations and missionaries are already seeking to fund their ministries through support, I think it would take our typical reader backwards.   I would think it's helpful either long before an applicant comes to us, or after they have raised support , when they need to humanize their interactions with supporters.  Further, it seems the author would have expected that a funding goal could be met through the immediate circle of friends that the would-be missionary has.

Since this material was  gathered gathered in the 1980's1980s, the dollar amounts don't fit our thinking today.  Eg, families of four who are living of $100/month instead of $700/month are mentioned; $5000 sounds like a world-stopping momentous gift, and a "successful" missionary is living off of $700/month. 

Helpful Points of Reference:  

• Chapter 8 - Testimonies.  Even with outdated numbers, the acts of faith and provision are encouraging
• The included Stories remind us of listening to God, acting on his daily guidance. 
• Interdependence vs. Independence; Mutual generosity vs. Transactional generosity. 
• George Mueller's fund-raising re-interpreted - p. 51-53. 
• Chapter 6 - the actual steps of fund-raising include an invitation. Very key perspective. p.79-82
• appendices include communication tracking guides, budgets, friendship (ie. contact) records.  These are basic graphs and may help someone who doesn't love tech-driven solutions. 

When to Recommend this book: 

 I I would think it's helpful either long before an applicant comes to us , or after they have raised support, when they need to humanize their interactions with supporters.  Further, it seems the author would have expected that a funding goal could be met through the immediate circle of friends that the would-be missionary has.