Work Out What God Works In
An Open Letter to Executive Directors Trying to Grow, Reboot, or Rebuild Their Ministries.
By David Sena | BoldLeading.com
I know what it's like to lie awake at night wondering if the money will come in.
I've stared at a payroll report knowing we didn't have enough to cover it.
I've felt that awful tension between the vision God gave me and the lack of resources I saw on the spreadsheet, in the volunteer sign-up sheet, and in our facilities.
If that's you right now, I want you to know:
I see you.
I've been you.
And I'm writing to challenge you.
If I have learned anything as a nonprofit leader with decades of experience as a fundraising Executive Director, I had to learn…
Pray—But Don’t Stop there
Most of us are good at praying:
"Lord, send the workers. Provide the funds. Make a way."
We should pray! Jesus commanded it.
But too often, after praying, we stop. We wait.
Or we keep moving, but act like God isn't really helping.
We get cautious. We avoid big asks. We stay in our offices rearranging the furniture instead of stepping out in faith.
That's not what Paul taught.
Work It Out Because God Is at Work
Paul wrote to the Philippians:
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is working in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12–13)
Notice the tension:
You must work it out.
Because God is working in you.
God's energy is real, present, and divine. But He expects you to pick up the torch.
My Hardest Moment
When I was thirty, I became an executive director after only a few months on the job.
I recall one of my worst days: sitting at my desk late at night, staring at the payroll numbers, realizing we needed more money quickly.
My first instinct was to drop my head in my hands or stare at the ceiling, overwhelmed.
But I learned I couldn't stay there.
I started walking around our conference room, praying out loud. I asked for courage. For wisdom. For open doors. For provision.
But prayer wasn't the end of the work. It was only the beginning.
Getting Out There Was Hard
I started getting out of the mission.
I met with church leaders, business people, anyone who would give me five minutes.
It was tough.
They didn't want to give me much time. I had to talk fast, tell a clear story, and leave the outcome to God.
And over time, something incredible happened.
God Works When We Work
We had an old, poorly done video about our services for women. I showed it to a volunteer. It wasn't good. The footage looked unprofessional.
But the message still got through.
That volunteer was inspired. She told her friends and neighbors. She invited people to help.
She raised tens of thousands of dollars.
She mobilized hundreds of volunteers and event attendees.
All because we stopped waiting for God to do everything and worked out what He was already working in.
The Welding
Think of it like a welding torch.
The torch's flame is God's power. You don't produce it. He does.
Your job is to pick up the torch, aim it carefully, and do the work.
Without the flame? You can't change anything.
Without your action? Lots of light and power and no results.
Especially in Fundraising
This is especially true in fundraising.
We tell ourselves:
What if they say no?
What if they think we're begging?
What if I'm bothering them?
We pray for provision, but then act like God can't possibly help us through other people.
We stall.
We apologize.
We make tiny asks.
Stop.
Fundraising is holy work.
It is the practical, necessary, faithful act of inviting people to partner with God's mission.
If you've prayed, act like God is actually answering.
Fundraising in Real Terms
Here are some tangible ways you can act like God is already answering your prayers:
Enter donor meetings believing that God is already at work in that person's heart.
Tell your story with conviction and clarity.
Make the ask without apology.
Follow up like it matters.
Do your planning and outreach with "fear and trembling"—with respect that God is in it.
Stewardship of Grace
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10)
"I worked harder than any of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Grace is not permission to do nothing.
Grace is power entrusted to you to use well.
A Word for You
If you're an executive director trying to grow your ministry or restart after a tough season:
Don't settle for staying stuck. Don't wait for the perfect plan. Don't let fear shut you down.
Pray.
Get up.
Get out there.
Tell the story.
Make the ask.
Follow up.
Work out what God is working in you.
Because He is.
Questions on Reflection
Where have you been waiting for God to act but failing to do your part?
Where have you been trying to work without depending on God's power?
How can you approach fundraising as a partnership with God?
How would you lead if you truly believed God is "working in you to will and to act"?
A Simple Prayer
“Lord, thank You for calling me to this work.
Thank You that I don't have to do it in my own strength.
Help me see Your power at work in me.
Give me the courage to act like You're really helping.
Make me a faithful steward of Your grace.
Amen.”
Act Now
If you know you need help clarifying your fundraising strategy, telling your ministry's story powerfully, or building a plan that actually works:
Don't wait. Reach out today. Let's figure it out together.
If you’ve felt stuck or have lost the motivation to push through seemingly endless obstacles, please reach out. I’d love to offer prayer, feedback, and a roadmap through.
Contact me here to schedule a conversation, or subscribe below to receive practical, faith-filled guidance directly in your inbox.
Your mission matters.
Let's make sure you have what you need to lead it well.