United World Mission

ALL FAQ's

General FAQ's

What is the mission statement of United World Mission?

To serve with Christian leaders globally to plant, nourish, and reproduce churches that delight God and surprise the world.

Why does United World Mission partner with nationals rather than pioneering new initiatives?

We believe that national Christian leaders are best positioned to contextualize the gospel and lead the church in their contexts. They understand their societies and they are able to continue the work after missionaries leave.

What does the mission statement mean when it says “churches that delight God and surprise the world?"

By "churches that delight God" we mean all that Scripture says pleases God in His people - churches marked by love, unity, holiness, truth, generosity, mercy, compassion, and evangelistic concern for the world.

By "churches that surprise the world" we mean churches that demonstrate the counter-cultural values of the Kingdom of God, through loving community, acts of mercy and grace, and through proclamation of forgiveness and hope through the gospel of Christ.

What is the denominational affiliation of United World Mission?

We are a non-denominational evangelical mission organization. We respect and partner with many denominations in North America and around the world.

How is United World Mission governed?

We are governed by an independent Board of Directors made up of mature and wise Christian men and women from diverse backgrounds. The Board meets formally twice a year to oversee strategic direction for the mission, budgets and finance, and to conduct other necessary business required to provide accountability and to insure appropriate stewardship.

Donation FAQ's

How are United World Mission missionaries paid?

United World Mission has no central funds for paying salaries and ministry expenses. Like many other mission organizations, UWM depends upon the consistent financial support of concerned individuals and churches who share its mission and vision. It is the policy of UWM that each missionary develops a team of ministry partners that provides the necessary funds for their salary and ministry expenses.

Each month our missionaries receive a set salary that is determined by an analysis of specific cost of living and ministry expense requirements in their context and role. Regardless of fluctuations in the amount of donations received they receive the same salary, provided the funds are available.

Are there fees related to credit card transactions?

Credit card donations cost UWM between 3-5% but we do not pass this specific fee along to the missionary or deduct it from your contribution. We encourage donors to consider Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT), which is a direct transfer from your bank account to UWM’s. Electronic Fund Transfers only cost about $.30 each.

Can I give automatically from my checking, savings, or credit card account?

Yes. All of these options are available online or you can mail us a commitment card with your first check to begin automatic giving from your checking or savings account.

How do I make changes to my Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) commitment?

If you signed up for EFT giving on our website then you can manage your giving by signing on to your account under the “Registered Donors” button on the “Give” page. If you signed up for EFT by mailing in a Commitment Card or an old EFT card then you will need to contact our Donations Team by clicking here or call 800-825-5896 M-F between 8am to 5pm.

How do I give by check?

Make your check payable to United World Mission and on the memo line be sure to include the name of the missionary or project you wish to support and the corresponding account number.

U.S. contributions should be mailed to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte, NC 28260-2002

Canadian contributions should be mailed to: United World Mission, Attn: Susan Zerf, PO Box 54024, Oshawa, ON L1H 1A0, Canada

Can I give directly to United World Mission’s general fund?

Yes. Simply write “General Fund” on the memo line of your check or type it in the comment section of the online donation form.

Are my gifts tax-deductible?

Yes. All donations to the ministry of United World Mission and our missionaries are tax-deductible.

Can I give a missionary a personal, or non tax-deductible, gift?

To give a personal, non tax-deductible gift to a missionary at Christmas-time or other special occasions, make your check payable to United World Mission and write "non tax deductible personal gift" on the memo line. Because it is a personal gift for the missionary, you will not receive a donation receipt from UWM and you will not be able to claim the gift as a contribution on your income tax return.

How can I update my contact information?

You can manage your donor profile on our website under the “Update Profile & Giving History” button on the “Give” page, or you can email our Donations Team by clicking here.

Can I receive my monthly receipts electronically?

Yes. In fact, we encourage donors to sign up for this option as it saves UWM an average of $10.00 per year per donor. To sign up please select the “Go Paperless” button on the “Give” page. If for any reason your electronic receipt bounces back to us, we will change your account back to paper receipts and send you the receipt by mail. A printed annual statement of your contributions will be provided in January of each year for tax purposes, even if you receive electronic receipts.

Can I give a stock donation?

Yes. We regularly receive stock donations. Please contact us at 800-825-5896 ext. 104 for our routing and brokerage account information.

What percentage of my gift actually goes to the missionary or project?

While missionaries are raising support, donations are assessed a 10% administrative fee; once they are fielded they are assessed a 15% administrative fee. All projects are assessed a 10% administrative fee. These administrative fees enable us to provide financial and administrative services to your missionary and strengthen the ministry of UWM through missionary mobilization, training, and leadership.

What if my question is not answered here?

If you have any questions or if we can help you further in any way, send an email to the Donations Team by clicking here or call us at 800-825-5896 M-F between 8am to 5pm.

Candidate FAQ's

What does the typical UWM missionary do?

We do whatever is most appropriate and strategic in the context to help churches become more missional, and ultimately to plant and reproduce churches! Usually this means working alongside nationals on outreach initiatives, equipping believers for ministry, training church planters and leaders, and developing partnerships that empower churches to reach out with mercy and justice as well as contextualized evangelism and church planting. So we train, envision, model, listen, pray, disciple, and create.

Where are UWM missionaries working overseas?

We currently have approximately 150 missionaries living and working in 30 countries, with additional non-resident work in 5 other nations. We have another 35-40 missionaries in the process of raising support and pre-field training. We also have another 20+ missionaries working in the U.S.

Do you work in teams? What does that look like?

Our goal is to send people out in teams. Usually new fields are pioneered in teams and new appointees join existing teams. We also work in close partnership and “team” with nationals and missionaries from other organizations and nations.

What is the process for placing someone on the field?

This process happens through building a relationship with you. As we get to know you and your heart for serving overseas, we begin to identify opportunities that fit your interest, experience, and gifts. It all begins by connecting with one of our mission coaches HERE.

How long is the application process? How long does it take to get to the field?

Our process seeks to be flexible and helpful to your unique situation. Completing the paperwork for the application usually takes 1-2 weeks. Then you are invited to a Candidate Assessment and Orientation week at the UWM office in Charlotte, NC where you will be interviewed and hopefully accepted into UWM. The final stages of preparation are raising support and going through pre-field training. Some people are able to leave as soon as three months after being appointed. For others, this process can take up to a year or even two, depending on jobs, housing and family needs.

What are the educational requirements? Do I have to go to Bible school?

We don’t require Bible school or Seminary for you to join UWM unless your projected ministry role requires it or you haven’t had sufficient Bible equipping in the past through church, campus ministry, and other means. We do have a high value for ministry skills and experience that you have acquired along the way. As we get to know you and your background, we may make recommendations for additional training before heading overseas.

Does UWM provide training?

UWM has comprehensive pre-field training at the Center for Intercultural Training (CIT) in Union Mills, NC. CIT is a training base used by 40+ mission agencies to prepare missionaries for service overseas. To learn more visit www.cit-online.org

How do members of UWM get personal and spiritual care while serving?

We provide missionary care in several ways. We work to proactively care for our people physically, emotionally, spiritually and relationally. We desire to create community and teams that help each other and focus on providing care that moves each member closer to God and healthy ministry. We work to create an atmosphere of mutual care, which includes friendship, hospitality, mentoring, and accountability. We also have a leadership structure that provides excellent care at all levels. If issues arise that are beyond our expertise, we have a network of professionals that can provide specialized care.

How are goals set, measured, and strategy developed? How are your results communicated to supporters/churches?

We have Area Directors in each area of the world that work with team leaders and teams to set annual goals and strategies for each team. Additionally, every missionary sets annual goals for their ministry that align with the team goals. There is an annual evaluation for every member involving a self-evaluation and team leader evaluation. This evaluation is very important to us and we share it with with your home church so that they are in the loop of what you are doing and how you are doing.

What is UWM’s view of debt? Can I serve on the field if I have debt?

UWM believes strongly in the biblical principle of stewardship. We do not encourage the creation of consumer debt, but we do understand the reality that people often have debt. We encourage missionaries to work hard to limit and pay off consumer debt before going overseas. We allow folks to be fielded while continuing to pay student loans.

Do I need to raise support? Why?

Yes! Prayerfully developing a team of financial and prayer partners is the main way we fund our ministries. It is a way to provide people the opportunity to be involved in advancing God’s Kingdom through giving to someone they personally know. Raising support is an incredible blessing as we see God work through others to supply for our needs. UWM provides training on how to build a support team and assigns you a coach to help you through this process.

How much support will I need to raise?

Each UWM missionary has a budget based on the cost of living within the host country. We work with the team leaders and Area Directors to establish a personalized budget for you that provides a moderate standard of living, appropriate health insurance, and ministry expenses.

Collaborative Partner FAQ's

What is a Collaborative Partnership?

A “Collaborative Partnership” as defined by UWM is when North American churches, businesses, or other organizations are brought together in long-term partnership with a church, denomination, or training organization in a context around the world.

What kind of North American organizations enter these partnerships?

Our experience has been that churches, businesses, or other organizations desire a partnership that provides opportunity for relationship and connection to ministry opportunities as well as sharing of resources.

What do these international church planting organizations look like?

Most often these groups of churches/denominations already have a history of planting churches but are looking to take it to the next level. They realize that they have needs such as training, mentoring, evangelistic and/or humanitarian outreach, mercy and justice issues, and even business development opportunities that can create income to fund the national effort or resolve economic/poverty concerns.

How long does a North American organization have to commit to the partnership?

It depends upon the project and the partners, but usually a 3-5 year commitment is required for a collaborative partnership. “Connecting” through shorter-term commitments is also a valid and workable form of partnership through our missionaries on the field.

What kinds of projects are available for the North American organizations to participate in?

Collaborative partnerships are focused on fulfilling the outreach vision and strategies of global partners that have a track record and healthy reputation in their context. Typical projects include: nation-wide church planting initiatives, leadership development and ministry training, business development, community development and ministries of compassion (e.g. medical, water, agricultural, micro-enterprise, etc.).

What kind of financial commitment is required to enter a partnership?

It depends upon the project, time frame, and context. We try hard to avoid unhealthy dependency in the ways we use funds from outside a context, and we work to build an interdependent approach that values but relativizes the place of money alongside other types of contribution partners make.

How does a Global Partnership work?

Usually there is an initial vision/relationship building visit with partners in their context. Then, UWM facilitates partnership development process that outlines the expectations and projected contributions of each partner as well as the shared goals and intended outcomes. A communication strategy is developed, including how to measure progress in the partnership and when partnership meetings will take place.

How do we get started?

Contact Mark Szymanski HERE.