Everyone knows about organizations such as World Vision and Compassion. How many people are aware of The Seed Company, and Alex and Laura Crum?
Every so often I come across a ministry that I believe is worthy of support, but is not well known. Perhaps they’re small, or working in a part of the world that can’t be publicized. Or perhaps they’re just starting out, as this young couple is, and could use a helping hand.
Of course, I realize that there are thousands of places to give your financial, prayer and other support—Pete and I can’t afford to support all the ministries we’d like to, either. We wish we were wealthy, just so we could give away more money. Giving is so much fun!
Support doesn’t have to be financial. All our human efforts are a waste of time if they’re not grounded in prayer. Praying for a ministry is hard work and a serious commitment. Too often, we agree to pray mostly so we feel less guilty about not giving money. Rather, we need to ask God if He wants us to be part of a ministry’s prayer team. If we say we’re going to pray, we should mean it.
There are other ways to support those in ministry. We all need friends who care, who can offer advice, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean (or cry) on. Care packages, birthdays remembered, notes of appreciation—these all make a difference in the lives of those on God’s front lines. Pete and I were incredibly blessed by a family who owned a 41-foot sailboat. They took us along on several of their vacations—to places like Belize and the Bahamas. Try doing that on a missionary budget!
After saying all that, I’d like to introduce you to Alex and Laura Crum, and let them tell you about themselves in their own words. Full disclosure: Laura is our niece, the daughter of Pete’s oldest brother. But even if we weren’t related, we’d recommend them for your prayerful consideration.
Our ministry
We are a young missionary family that desires to serve God through Bible translation, using Alex’s skills in web development. We are just starting out in this full-time ministry and we are interested in partnering with people who desire to get our emails, pray for us, and/or financially partner with us.
Once we reach 100% of the needed support (Lord willing, by January of 2011), we have already been “loaned out” by Wycliffe Bible Translators to one of their partnering organizations, The Seed Company.
Alex’s work within The Seed Company will be in three major areas:
- Helping maintain their public website, www.theseedcompany.org
- Developing and maintaining internal websites and email systems which allow the workers to communicate amongst themselves.
- Developing and maintaining communication programs which link translation consultants with national (native-tongue) translators. The Seed Company is currently involved in over 300 translation projects around the world.
Our family
We have two children, Carolyn (age 3) and Gabriel (age 1). Laura is willing to be used by God in Bible translation, wherever her skills are useful in the years ahead. Right now her job is on the home front, caring for our children. We currently live in upstate NY to aid with aging family as we are able, and we anticipate many transitions (physical moves as well as possible ministry reassignments) in the years ahead. If you have questions or would like to receive our newsletters, email us.
How to Give
Donations may be made online, by phone or by check.
Click here for online donations (search for Alex Crum and leave the other fields at the default “ALL”).
To make a credit-card contribution by phone, please call Wycliffe’s Online Giving Services toll free at 1.866.736.4387. Office hours are 8 am to 5 pm (EST).
To mail a check, make it out to Wycliffe Bible Translators with a separate note explaining that the gift is for the Crum’s ministry, number 215584. Wycliffe’s mailing address is: Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628211, Orlando, FL 32862-8211
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