Down the Narrow Path

What is a Partner?

Those who contribute to our lives are not seen as supporters and contributors, but as partners. We hold such a high value of those people who involve themselves in our lives that our intention is to offer all that we can to them in return for their faith in us. A Partner is someone who has a genuine interest with what we are doing with our lives and ministry and would like to be a part of it. They are people who believe in us and want to be included in our experiences, ministry and vision. Those who are willing to contribute to our vision by investing in us through whatever they can offer, whether through prayer, finances, or just their supportive interest.

A supporter/contributor works in a one-way relationship, but partners work together. Partners hold an “interdependent” connection; they rely on one-another in the relationship they share. We want to form life long friendships with those who believe in us, so that we can communicate both our needs to each other for prayer and support as friends.

We want you as our partner to be an active part in our on going ministry, and so we want to do the best job possible of keeping you informed on our news, both personal and with the ministry. We want our partners to be a part of our lives and we want to be a part of theirs. As a family and as a ministry we feel we have a real responsibility to our partners that we do not take lightly; to love them, pray for them, and communicate well with them. You will be blessed by joining in with us as we pioneer and break new ground.

To return to the Directory, click here.

How You Can Partner With Us

Pray: We need people to pray for us. There are numerous challenges in pioneering a ministry. Prayer is essential to us. Prayer moves things that finances cannot.

Regular Sponsorship: As a family and as pioneers we have very real needs of consistent finances to free us to do this work. God provides, and He provides through regular people just like you. He provides finances through people making regular commitments to give what they can. A dollar a day makes a difference! Time and money are powerful and personal tools to invest with. Truly your partnership is powerful! Just as our family seeks financial partners, we also have committed to sponsoring others around us we believe in. In having our needs covered, we are free to concentrate entirely and wholeheartedly on becoming effective leaders and lead young people into the heart of Jesus well. Powerful Partnerships = Transformed Lives.

One Time Financial Gifts/Contributions: Any type of giving/contribution is appreciated. Financial and material gifts are needed: Cars, vans, sound equipment, food, house and office furniture/appliances, music instruments, laptop computers, etc. If we do not personally need what you donated at the time we will find someone who does. We have seen God do amazing things through people donating. This year so far we have been given over 8 vehicles, for ministry work. As our ministry grows our needs will continually need to be met. The Lord is very faithful in meeting needs, and does it often through people giving gifts to one another.

Connect Us with People, Churches, Businesses and Organizations You Know: We need people, churches, businesses, and organizations to be involved with what we are doing! Refer us to those you know that could have an interest in being involved in what we are doing in Tauranga, New Zealand, or refer them to us. Those who believe in the transformation power of prayer, those who believe in reformation of cities and people groups, those who intercede for revival in the Church and in the nations. Our Goal is to have as many partnerships as possible! Transformation happens through networks of people just like you who are moved into action. Your Partnership = Transformed Lives.

To return to the Directory, click here.

Top 10 Questions & Answers about Your Partnering

1. What is "Committed" support?

2. Why do people make support commitments?

3. How long am I expected to continue a commitment of support?

4. What happens if there is a shortfall in my committed support?

5. What is covered by my committed support?

6. How do partners send their support?

7. What should I expect from Jordan and Jessica if I support them?

8. Can I make personal, non-tax deductable gifts to them?

9. Does my comittment mean I will receive a lot of mail from Jordan and Jessica?

10. Whom can I contact with questions?

1. What is "committed support"?
Tauranga House of Prayer is a faith mission training center with no central funding. Therefore, each missionary is responsible to raise their own support from churches, family, businesses, organizations, and friends. Commitments are registered with Jordan and Jessica via personal contact indicating amount, frequency and start date.

2. Why do people make support commitments?
There are many reasons. Most churches make such commitments out of a sense of vision and mission to accomplish The Great Commission (Matthew 24:14). For individuals, it usually starts with the word "relationship." Many partners also give out of a sense of gratitude to God for what he has done for them through Christ. Many partners also give out of a sense of obedience to the call in I Corinthians 4:1 to fulfill our stewardship of the Gospel. And, many partners have a strong sense of passion to see the Gospel spread among certain people groups or through certain types of ministry. Others give just because they believe in us and how we are living our lives, even if they don’t fully understand missions, they see a good investment and empower us to continue on. Whatever the reasons be, we are inexpressibly grateful for all who commit their resources to helping us.

3. How long am I expected to continue support commitments?
It varies. Support commitments from both churches and individuals have continued for the entire career of some missionaries--as long as 30 or 40 years. For practical reasons, we suggest that support commitments continue for at least one full term, usually four years. Our goal is to be able to return once a year to the States to report to support partners, gain new support, and renew relationships with partners, friends, family and extended family. We both understand that changes in church or family situations may force some commitments to be dropped or changed.

4. What happens if there is shortfall in committed support?
The short answer is, "Ministry effectiveness is compromised." One unique feature of missionary support is that it includes funds for the work (ministry) in the field on which each missionary serves as well as funds to support the family. Thus, a shortfall in support affects both. A significant shortfall makes it difficult to continue ministering and living overseas, and a trip to the States may be necessary to find additional support.

5. What mission services are covered under committed support?
Monthly support includes all of the items that your budget at home might cover-and then some. For example, food, clothing, shelter, transportation, utilities, and health. Committed support also includes overseas cost of living adjustments, travel, transportation, ministry funds, etc. A percent of total support helps to operate the mission, prayer letters, communication supplies, etc. (also see our family budget)

6. How do partners send their support?
Many people make monthly payments; our support is received monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, via check, credit cards, electronic funds transfer, bank deposits, and even cash. Electronic transfers and bank deposits seem to be the easiest and safest ways to do it.

7. What should I expect from Jordan and Jessica if I support them?
In a word - "partnership". As a partner in ministry you should expect enough information, communication and relationship to assure you that your financial, time and prayer investments are producing the kind of results that you pray for and expect. This usually includes prayer letters, e-mail, personal letters, notes, phone calls, newsletters, visits and reports of ministry results. We are also inclined to pray for your needs, hopes, dreams and plans as we become aware of them. And our gratitude and friendship!

8. Can I make personal non-tax-deductible gifts if I commit to support?
Yes! It is very common for support partners to give personal gifts on special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. However tax-deductions are not available to overseas missions are far as we know, so we are currently looking for a home church in the States that can help us with tax-deductions. Once we are associated with a home church, we will be able to get tax-deductions for you.

9. Does my commitment mean I will receive a lot of mail from you guys?
The choice is yours. Prayer letters, newsletters and other communication will come from us to you directly. This website is increasingly a primary source of information about our mission ministry. You will also receive update emails about once a month as a reminder of our regular updates and news. We hope you will appreciate these emails and the exciting opportunities they represent. If you don't, let us know and we will see that you do not receive them in the future.

10. Whom can I contact with questions?
Us! Our goal is to keep you as informed as possible with all questions you could have. We believe it is a miracle that people willingly and joyfully send financial support for us month in and month out over many years. Our goal is a long-term relationship, satisfying to you. Please contact us if we can be of service to you in any way: Jordan.martens@yahoo.com, Jessica.martens@yahoo.com

To return to the Directory, click here.

Our Need of Partners & a Support Team

THOP Staff and Leadership do not receive a salary, our work is 100% volunteer. In order for us to do what God has called us to, we must each raise a team who believes in us and will partner with us to see the work accomplished. Scripture teaches that Jesus and Paul the Apostle did the same. Their friends, families, and supporters and Churches partnered with them and enabled them to live the lifestyle demanded by their calling.

It is the commitment of a faithful support team that enables us to obey God's call in this ministry!

Why Partner With Us?

It will be rewarding for you! You will be a part of what God is doing with New Zealand, especially this emerging generation of young people! By partnering with us, you have an inheritance in both The Tauranga House of Prayer and in New Zealand, because you are enabling this to happen, and you leave an inheritance in the lives of thousands young people throughout the nations. You are investing in eternal rewards! You will also receive:

A direct connection – You will be directly connected to the mission field, and involved with the specific plan God is establishing on the earth’s surface today.

The joy of giving and sewing into good soil - This is worthy of supporting. It will change the lives of thousands of young people giving them purpose and value.

Regular testimonies - of what God is doing through our ministry via email, postal, phone calls, etc.

Regular prayer covering – For you, your family, and any personal requests you would like to share with us.

Encouragement – We want to share the love of Christ.

And a relationship with us! Our long term goal with all of our partners is to develop our relationship into a life long friendship. True friends are hard to come by and yet we all need them so badly. Partnering with us in ministry is a great way to develop a lasting friendship.

To return to the Directory, click here.