Gospel Patrons

A new friend sent me a couple of copies of a new book called Gospel Patrons by John Rinehart. Short read, powerful & simple message. Seems that where God picks someone for powerful Kingdom impact, He often connects them with someone whose resources enable their impact to be bigger. Jesus and the disciples had Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna “and many others, who provided for them out of their means” (Luke 8:1-3). The Apostle Paul wrote of one of his supporters . . . a lady named Phoebe: “Welcome her (Phoebe) in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need of you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well” (Romans 16:3).

The book tells the story of three historical giants. For me, the most powerful was of William Tyndale who illegally translated the Scriptures from Latin to English, a work that launched the English Reformation and allowed the common man direct access to God’s word for the first time. With Tyndale, behind the scenes was a mentor, a champion, a businessman, a “Gospel Patron” named Humphrey Monmouth. Monmouth partnered with Tyndale and his work for 14 years. Emotionally, spiritually and financially. Monmouth served a year in prison for helping Tyndale, a penalty Tyndale never suffered.

Rinehart says “Every English translation of the Bible finds its headwaters at Tyndale’s spring. Today, there are more than 600 million English speakers who directly benefit from William Tyndale’s life and work. History remembers Tyndale, but it has largely forgotten that behind this massive movement of God was a businessman. In the shadows of the English Reformation stands an invaluable Gospel Patron named Henry Monmouth”. ₁

There are three unique characteristics of a Gospel Patron according to Rinehart.

1. Joyful Giving – It starts with a heart that “seeks the things that are above” (Col. 3:1-2). Men and women who take Matthew 6:33 seriously “Seek first His Kingdom…”. “Seek” means “to devote serious effort to…” Monmouth was about “devoting serious effort to” advancing the Kingdom. Though he was a businessman and not a Bible scholar, he put himself and his resources behind someone who was called to do something important that he wasn’t trained, skilled, gifted or called to do himself, and God changed the world forever as a result.

2. Gospel Proclamation – “God’s family business is news” says Rinehart. The good news of Jesus. He suggests the first question a Gospel Patron asks is “What do you believe?” “What message are you spreading?” “Is it the Gospel of Jesus Christ?” He points to thousands of humanitarian efforts . . . billions of dollars of well-meaning people spent to help the sick and the poor. But how unique our calling to help, share and serve, and to do all we do with the Gospel at the fore.

3. Personal Involvement – These mentors . . . these Gospel Patrons . . . don’t just write checks. They invest time. They give money but also give themselves. Mary, Joanna and Susanna joined Jesus on His preaching tours. Today, that might look like visiting missionaries we support. Or personally mentoring. Or serving on a board. Or calling once a month to ask “How’s it going?” “How can I pray for you?” “Where do you need help?” From the pictures Rinehart paints, Gospel Patrons are connected and involved in the work they support.

As he introduced this book to me, my friend said “this thing’s been there all along, but ‘Gospel Patron’ offers an identity . . . a role to aspire to.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Question: Are you “seeking His Kingdom” personally? Are you backing someone who’s been uniquely called to ‘do the work of the Gospel’ for greater impact? Is God calling you to do more? Tell us here.