A Biblical Vision for Resourcing God’s Work | A Ministry Fundraising Network Panel Discussion

A Biblical Vision for Resourcing God’s Work
A Ministry Fundraising Network Panel Discussion

How can churches and ministries around the world break free from unhealthy dependencies, embrace biblical principles, and build sustainable, locally resourced mission efforts? In this powerful panel hosted by the Ministry Fundraising Network (MFN), global leaders share key insights and practical wisdom on how fundraising can become an act of worship, dignity, and joyful participation in God’s kingdom.

Panelists

Key Takeaways

Fundraising is a biblical privilege and an opportunity to partner with God—not just a financial necessity.
Local ministries, especially in the Global South, can reclaim ownership of the gospel and develop culturally relevant, context-specific fundraising strategies.
Moving away from dependency on foreign aid restores dignity and empowers local believers to fully engage in God’s mission.
Both ministry workers and donors benefit from a renewed understanding of giving, shifting from guilt or obligation to joyful participation in kingdom work.

00:00 Introduction to Ministry Fundraising
01:06 The Problem of Dependency on Foreign Aid
02:32 Addressing Fundraising Challenges
04:46 The Role of the Church in Fundraising
06:18 The Privilege of Fundraising
09:32 Building Sustainable Ministries
20:20 Practical Fundraising Tips
23:09 Join the Ministry Fundraising Network
24:07 Conclusion and Call to Prayer

As part of the Fourth Lausanne Congress, these panel discussions feature leaders from Lausanne’s global Issue Networks engaging some of the most pressing opportunities and challenges facing the Church today. Covering themes such as justice, integrity, orality, disability, leadership, and mission to the least-reached, each conversation offers biblical reflection, contextual insight, and collaborative vision for the whole Church to bring the whole gospel to the whole world.

Reaching People on the Move I Global Mission Through Mobility | Panel Discussion

Speakers' Bios

Kehinde Ojo

Catalyst for Ministry Fundraising

Kehinde Ojo is the IFES program director for indigenous support development. Kehinde was born and raised in southwestern Nigeria. He became a Christian during university through the witness of NIFES (IFES Nigeria). He then got fully involved, became trained and discipled. On graduation in 1991, he served as a volunteer for one year before joining NIFES as a full-time staff worker. He served with NIFES for 18 years in different roles and in different parts of the country.

In 2011 Kehinde was invited by IFES to pioneer a new global program to help national movements in IFES become sustainable in their local fundraising for ministry effectiveness. His brief included developing a work plan for the program and identifying and equipping a global team to work with him. He trains and mentor leaders regularly in the Africa, Eurasia, Caribbean, and Latin America regions of IFES.

Kehinde was part of the committee that planned and organised the Nigeria-Lausanne Congress 2013. He has written articles on generosity and resource mobilization and actively participates in the Lausanne Ministry Fundraising Network. Kehinde wants to see a new generation of godly and effective leaders raised for the nations. Kehinde and his family live in Abuja, Nigeria.

Redina Kolaneci

Catalyst for Ministry Fundraising

Redina is the founder of Christian Fundraising Consultancy based in the UK. She is passionate about helping church and ministry leaders see stewardship and fundraising as part of God’s plan for their ministry and raise more funds for their mission causes.

For over two decades, Redina has taught and trained hundreds of local church and ministry leaders on biblical principles of stewardship, on growing generous givers in the local church, and much more. She was the first-ever Stewardship education consultant serving with Stewardship Services (now Stewardship) and is the author of What Does Love Require?, a series of Bible studies on generosity. She also created a stewardship resource pack for local churches titled Re-discovering the Joy of Giving.

She holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Tirana, Albania, and a master’s degree in theology from Spurgeon’s College in London.

Redina lives in Colchester, UK, but is often travelling to Europe and Australia providing training, consulting, and coaching to ministry leaders and fundraisers.

Najee Sy Chua

Resource Development Specialist

Najee merges her background in nonprofit fundraising and communications with her interest in personal and societal transformation. She has served vulnerable neighborhoods alongside churches, corporations, and nonprofits through active listening and storytelling for over a decade. She also received her MA in Social Justice from Kilns College (Oregon, USA), and a BA in European Studies from Ateneo de Manila University (Manila, PH). After work, Najee stays happy by reading, writing, and living in view of eternity—all preferably with snacks.