Overland Missions may have only started eight years ago as a Christian missionary non-profit organization, but they have grown immensely because of their divine backing

Overland Missions began back in 1999 by Philip Smethurst and now this missionary organization deploys expeditions to countries all over the world. Overland is actively working in 17 countries dispersed among Africa, Indonesia, South America and Latin America. This non-profit organization is living proof that God supports those who devote themselves to fulfilling the Great Commission. Overland Missions has a full time staff that raises all of their own support through personal fund raising. They come on board understanding that they must rely on God to provide for their material needs. Apparently he has.


Dave Philips, director of operations, sitting in the Overland Missions office at Destiny Christian Church on Merritt Island

“There is a different dynamic involved when raising money for the Lord…we raise money by faith,” said Dave Philips, Overland’s director of operations. Dave has worked with Overland Missions since the early days as a recon man and expedition leader. He knows first hand what it’s like to rely on God through faith for financial support. Overland Missions is funded completely by public and private donors through their employees. They do not do any organizational fund raisers to raise support.

The employees act as public relations person’s who speak in public forums about Overland Missions and tell the audience about what God is doing in these foreign countries through the help of Overland. The difference between these employees and those of other secular non-profits is that they have a divine backing. These guys know what they have been called to do and they are passionate about it, which makes fund raising that much easier.

According to Dave, each person must know what their vision is, how that connects to Overland Missions, be able to communicate that vision effectively and act in complete integrity with the funds one is blessed with. Those who want to work for a non-profit must be aware of the fact that they must be skilled communicators who possess high moral standards if their organization is to succeed. As a vital piece of the non-profit’s framework, each person should understand the weight they carry.

Dave also spoke about other hardships of working for a non-profit organization. As a non-profit employee, particularly for a Christian missionary organization, you have two full time jobs: to put in 40+ office hours a week and to raise money so you can eat! Some people coming into a position at a non-profit have worked in the business world and earned enough money to support them while they work for the Lord. Others come right out of school into this field and must find a way to support themsleves. Dave was one of those kids who joined Overland Missions when he was fresh out of college and the organization was in its infancy.

He talked much about the “frustrations of the twenties” when he first became a recon man for Overland. In your twenties, Dave said, one gets frustrated because they know God has placed dreams and visions in their hearts that they long to see come to fruition, but they have to wait. They have to realize that God is shaping them for their destiny, and until God brings it to pass, patience is the key. The greatest joy for Dave Philips came out of the “frustration of the twenties” when he realized that God would take care of everything else as long as he kept his focus on following God’s plan for his life.


Dave Killough, Expedition Operator, putting in hours at the Overland Missions office on Merritt Island

I also spoke to another Dave on staff, Dave Killough, who is the expedition operator. He says the most difficult part of working for a non-profit such as Overland is managing and motivating volunteer staff. He believes that although employees are not paid by the organization, each should work knowing that it is “unto the Lord and not unto men.” Dave Killough would probably agree with me that it takes highly motivated, focused and goal-oriented people to effectively operate a Christian, missionary non-profit organization. But he also said he finds great joy in his job at Overland because he gets to do something that isn’t “typical” and has a “higher purpose” than anything else he could be doing.

For those looking to do an internship with a non-profit, Overland offers internship and full time career missionary opportunities. Both positions begin with three months at their Africa base near Victoria Falls doing Missions work. They are also currently accepting applicants for their Advanced Missionary Training that will occur May 8 through July 31 and September 1 through November 23 of this year. For more information visit overlandmissions.com.

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