by Paul Crosby

Across the decades, one of the questions that has echoed from observers inside and outside The Alliance has been, “Why do Alliance people give so much to missions?” The giving of our people has long defied expectations—both in scale and consistency. From humble beginnings to global impact, the story of Alliance giving is one of spiritual depth, conviction, and joyful, disproportionate generosity that has resulted in compounded impact.

In 1905, Rev. A. B. Simpson, founder of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, wrote an article, titled “Why Our People Give So Much for Missions,” on the remarkable generosity of Alliance members toward global missions. Their giving, often far exceeding expectations based on their numbers or financial means, had drawn attention from several news outlets, including The New York Times. In his article, Simpson noted three key motivators: “spiritual preparation,” “intelligent sympathy with God’s plan,” and “enthusiasm.” As I have reflected on my experience with the Alliance family over the past decade, these key motivators continue to hold true of Alliance people.

More Than Emotion—A Movement of Conviction

In the early days, some skeptics dismissed our giving as emotional hype or manipulation. But year after year, audited reports confirmed the pledges were not only made—they were fulfilled. At conventions in places like Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, thousands of dollars were committed to missions, often by people of modest means. In the district of Pennsylvania alone, fewer than 3,000 members gave over $40,000 annually, averaging $15 per person, compared to the typical U.S. church average at that time of less than $1 per person. Today, according to a national study done on denominational giving to missions, The Alliance is the number one denomination in giving to global missions in terms of percentage of income.¹

See, this wasn’t a passing trend. It was, and still is, a movement rooted in spiritual conviction. As Simpson wrote, “These quiet outpourings of beneficence . . . are evidently the result of some deep conviction and spiritual impulse.”

Spiritual Preparation Fuels Generosity

The Alliance is a deeper-life movement, and Alliance people have always sought connection with Christ as their top priority. This deeper-life experience has resulted in not only courageous going but also bold generosity. Early Alliance conventions were not just fundraising events—they were spiritual encounters. Before any offering was taken, attendees spent days immersed in teaching on consecration, surrender, and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Giving flowed naturally from hearts transformed by God’s presence. When people are captivated by the love of God and transformed by His presence, they respond freely and boldly.

Simpson observed, “Christian giving is the result of entire sanctification and Spirit-filled lives.” When people experience the joy of God’s presence, they respond with open hands and willing hearts.

Since our early days, The Alliance has been a ragtag group of people, transformed by the love and life of Christ, who have rallied together to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, to the overlooked in our neighborhoods and the nations. As opposed to a group of goers looking for senders, we have been a group of senders looking for and mobilizing goers.

God’s Mission as Our Guide

Early Alliance givers took the mission of God as their guide for giving. In a world full of urgent needs and great people accomplishing important endeavors, the generosity of Alliance people has been shaped by a clear understanding of God’s plan for the world and an attunement to His voice.

Simpson called this “intelligent sympathy with God’s plan,” quoting Matthew 24:14. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (KJV). Our giving has been rooted in a calling to see the gospel of the Kingdom preached to all peoples—especially the overlooked and those without access to the gospel.

When asked by a reporter to predict the date of Christ’s return, Simpson replied, “God’s chronology is not measured by human times and seasons, but by great spiritual preparations.” Our urgency in missions is not about numbers—it’s about obedience and hope. We give because we long to see the Bridegroom come in His fullness to all peoples.

Enthusiasm and Hilarious Giving

In this world, there is a measure of giving that is natural and that we see in everyday life. It’s a reflection of out Creator, the Giver of life. So often, though, when we speak about giving, we talk about proportional giving, in terms of what we can afford to give or what is “right” to give. Perhaps what has been most striking about Alliance giving has been the joy and disproportionate generosity of it.

In his article, Simpson referenced 2 Corinthians 9:7, interpreting it as “God loveth a hilarious giver.” That word, hilarious, meaning “boisterously joyful,” captures the spirit of Alliance offerings. Giving is not a duty; it’s a celebration. It’s a response to the unspeakable gift of Christ and the eternal reward awaiting those who serve with Him. It is an act that doesn’t always make human sense. I remember what my grandfather used to say: “You can’t out-give God, but it’s fun to try.” That joy-filled faith to join the greatest Giver on mission together is beautiful—and hilarious.

The Power of Compound Impact

While A. B. Simpson didn’t use the term “compound impact,” when I look back over The Alliance’s more than 130-year history, it’s clear our people understood it intuitively. They gave early, often, and together. Like compound interest—where earnings generate more earnings—Alliance generosity has produced a multiplying effect over time. Small, sacrificial gifts have grown into movements that have transformed lives and communities across the globe.

One powerful example is the response to the Southeast Asia refugee crisis in the mid-1970s. Groups of churches and individuals, many from modest backgrounds, gave above and beyond to meet urgent needs. Those early gifts helped launch what is now CAMA Services, the relief and development arm of The Alliance. But the impact didn’t stop there.

From those seeds of generosity, entire ministries and communities were born. The Hmong District, now the largest district in the U.S. Alliance by membership, emerged from that moment of crisis and compassion. Today, it includes over 115 churches and more than 35,000 members. Similarly, the Vietnamese District, now one of the five largest districts in The Alliance with over 100 churches, grew from that same movements of generosity and mission.

The ripple effects continued—national churches in Southeast Asia gained strength and independence, now home to more than 1.6 million believers. In the U.S., churched expanded ESL ministries to serve incoming refugees, creating new pathways for outreach and discipleship.

But it wasn’t just ministry impact that compounded over time—it was the transformation of the givers themselves. Generosity is contagious. As it was lived out in community, it spread from person to person and generation to generation. Many Alliance givers today trace their own commitment to missions back to the example of others in their church—parents, pastors, or peers who gave sacrificially and joyfully.

This is the legacy of Alliance giving: not just dollars raised, but lives changed. Not just projects funded, but movements launched. Not just onetime gifts, but a culture of generosity that continues to grow.

1. John Ronsvalle and Sylvia Ronsvalle, The State of Church Giving Through 2022: Might for Right — At Scale (empty tomb, inc., 2025), 80. ↩︎

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