FBMI Updates
Friday Financial Tip #44: Update Regarding Missionary Support Statements for July and August
As many of you are aware, a recent computer attack caused us to enter donations in multiple databases to ensure prompt, accurate payment of missionary support. Although we were able to produce payroll vouchers for those months, we have not yet been able to release an accurate, combined list of the donors from these months. We are currently preparing these support statements and should have them ready to send in the next few days. When you receive these reports, as always, please review them, and check with your Field Service Coordinator about any questions you may have. We would appreciate your attention to detail as we look to help provide clarity.
Thank you so much for your service for Jesus and for your willingness to be faithful stewards of the resources that God provides.
Dr. Darrell Moore’s Homegoing
Our missionaries and staff remember with love and appreciation our former director, Dr. Darrell Moore, who went home to be with Jesus. We are eternally grateful for his love, dedication, and leadership for God and for God’s choicest servants.
For more information about Bro. Moore, visit this link:
Friday Financial Tip #43: Accountable Reimbursement Plan
The Accountable Reimbursement Plan that FBMI uses is a helpful way to protect missionaries from paying personal income taxes on money that was spent for ministry. Because of a missionary’s employee status with FBMI, he is able to report back on any ministry expenses and be reimbursed in the following month for those expenses. As many of you know, the End of Month Report (EOM) is how a missionary reports on these ministry expenses. Missionaries who use the EOM are able to claim and be reimbursed for all ministry expenses, including things like ministry rent, printing, and even transaction fees. While every missionary’s life and ministry are different, some missionaries are able to claim a good portion of their support each month as ministry expenses.
This Accountable Reimbursement Plan is available to all FBMI missionaries, and we encourage each one to take advantage of the EOM and its associated benefits. You can specifically choose to forego this tax benefit, or you can begin anytime by visiting End of Month (EOM) Report Form – FBMI. We also encourage you to talk to your FSC with any questions.
Thank you for your love and service for our Lord Jesus Christ!
Friday Financial Tip #42: Gifts
Money given to you personally is a gift and, therefore, not subject to income tax. You can receive up to $18,000 in gifts from an individual in a given year without being responsible for personal income tax on that money.
If a person gives money to you as a personal gift, you do not need to report this money through the Accountable Reimbursement Program or the End of Month Report (EOM). Walk-up offering gifts and other money given to you as personal gifts while on deputation or furlough may fall in this personal-gift category.
Money that goes through a church’s books, on the other hand, is different. Gifts given through a church offering or given to you for the work of the ministry are still potentially subject to personal income tax. These monies should be reported as love offerings on the EOM Report.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your FSC. Thank you for your time! Have a great day in Jesus!
Friday Financial Tip #41: Debit Cards
Be sure to use your debit card regularly so it doesn’t become inactive or dormant. If you and your spouse each have a debit card, you should ensure that both cards are activated. You should also use each card regularly, if possible. Using both cards at least once a month will ensure consistency and help prepare you for emergencies (“I accidentally threw away my debit card!”). As always, you can contact your FSC with any questions. You can also contact First Financial Bank with any specific questions about your banking details or needs. For general information and help, as well as local branch contact information, visit bankatfirst.com. For account related issues or online banking assistance, please call tel:+18773229530.
Friday Financial Tip #40: Copyrighted Photos
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)
When posting pictures from the internet, be sure that the photo is not copyrighted.
FBMI was recently contacted by a lawyer’s office, claiming that we had used a copyrighted photo on our website without permission. A stock photo had been used for a missionary’s prayer letter and then posted on the FBMI website. When our office asked for legal advice about this situation, we were advised that we may need to pay the damages demanded. After looking into the details, we discovered that the missionary had indeed purchased the license to use the picture and had followed the agreement as stipulated by the copyright owner.
This situation is a good opportunity to be reminded of the necessity of ensuring that you buy the proper licensing and permissions whenever you use any media obtained online. If you want to use a publicly available photograph or other media, ensure that this media is legally able to be used in the desired way. Do not use any photo that you do not have permission to use for your prayer letter or other updates.
Friday Financial Tip #39: Spotting a Scam in Any Form
Whether it’s an AI deep-fake video, a phishing email, or a messenger on horseback with a sealed letter, scammers throughout history share these universal red flags:
• Urgency: Creating artificial time pressure to force hasty decisions without proper consideration
• Fear and Intimidation: Using threats of consequences, financial penalties, or legal action
• Unsolicited Contact: Initiating the interaction, often claiming to represent trusted organizations
• Too Good to Be True: Offering implausible rewards, unrealistic investment returns, or unlikely windfalls
• Personal-Information Requests: Fishing for details that legitimate entities wouldn’t ask for in that manner
The technology may change from quill and parchment to sophisticated algorithms, but a scammer’s psychological tactics remain remarkably consistent throughout the ages.
Friday Financial Tip #38: Field Service Coordinators
Your Field Service Coordinator is here to help!
Our Field Services Team is eager to help missionaries with any questions. Under the leadership of Dr. Siemer, our Field Services Director, the Field Service Coordinators (FSCs) serve missionaries in different parts of the world. Missionaries in Europe and Africa are served by Jeremy Snipes, Jim Belisle serves missionaries in the Americas, and Joe Palmer serves missionaries in Asia and Oceania. Each member of our FSC team has many years of ministry experience, as well as a heart for each missionary and valuable knowledge and resources to encourage, inform, and solve problems.
When you have questions for the FBMI office, the first step is always your FSC. Often, the FSC will have the answer directly. Other times he will provide context and work to get your question answered by someone else. Your FSC is eager to help with questions about paperwork, support, and even EOMs.
Please feel free to reach out (to your FSC) if you have any questions. 😊 Thank you so much for loving Jesus and serving Him faithfully.
Friday Financial Tip #37: Identity Theft Protection
The following resource video, produced by First Financial Bank, is meant to help you be aware of and avoid many of the most common deceitful practices in attempted identity theft.
“Your identity is your most important asset, and protecting it should be your highest priority. Our free class teaches you how to spot the signs of identity theft, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you think your identity has been compromised. Stop scammers in their tracks with skills you’ll use for a lifetime.”
Friday Financial Tip #36: First Financial Bank’s WORKlife Program
Leadership from the First Financial Bank visited the FBMI office recently to ask how they could better serve our missionaries. In addition to looking for ways to excel at customer service and work to provide education and security, they also wanted you to know about their “WORKlife” program and the benefits that may be available to you.
Please refer to the provided PDF for more information about this program. This PDF includes a QR code, as well as other important information about “WORKlife.”
Thank you!