FBMI Updates
Friday Financial Tip #49: Missionary Airfare
FBMI missionaries have often asked about claiming airfare expenses on the EOM Report. We would like to review when airfare is a reimbursable ministry expense and when it is not.
When is an airline ticket claimable?
• When it is an “ordinary and necessary” expense. This is a basic requirement for all reimbursable ministry expenses.
• When it is travel between a missionary’s home and ministry destination. Therefore, airline tickets to and from ministry responsibilities or special meetings are claimable.
• Airline tickets for furloughs are claimable, as long as the furlough is primarily for ministry-related travel. Because a missionary’s family is a necessary part of a missionary’s ministry, the family’s tickets are also claimable for ministry furloughs.
When is an airline ticket not claimable?
• When it is not primarily for ministry travel. For example, travel for a family vacation or for a fun trip would not be claimable.
• When it is not an “ordinary and necessary” expense. For this reason, first-class tickets would not typically be reimbursable.
Thank you!
Friday Financial Tip #48: Other Account Options with First Financial Bank
In addition to providing FBMI missionaries with ministry accounts, First Financial Bank also offers other account options and resources to missionaries. One of these resources is the “Financial Education” page on their website. If desired, you are welcome to explore this page to learn more about the free educational resources available.
Financial Education | First Financial Bank
If you have any questions, please contact your Field Service Coordinator. Thank you!
Friday Financial Tip #47: Christmas Prayer Letters
Thank you, dear friend, for your love for Jesus and your service for Him on the mission field!
As Christmas approaches once again, many of you are beginning to work on a special Christmas prayer letter. Please plan to send in your letters no later than November 30 this year to make sure that there is enough time before Christmas for them to be:
• Proofread by Mrs. Kim Marsack.
• Posted and emailed through fbmi.org.
• Processed and printed through Grace to Grow Publications.
• Folded and mailed by our Prayer Letter Services.
• Received by your supporters, friends, and family.
Friday Financial Tip #46: New Subscription Plan Available
Thank you for your service for our Lord Jesus Christ. As many of you know, FBMI provides a Microsoft 365 email account for you through First Baptist Church. This account (firstname.lastname@fbmi.org) has been a great blessing and is versatile enough to be used as a missionary’s primary email address. Automatically included with this account is OneDrive cloud storage and access to certain Microsoft apps and services.
Because of some recent adjustments, we are now excited to be able to offer the “Microsoft 365 Business Standard” plan to those of you who may be interested. This plan adds additional features to your account and includes licensing to download and install key apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Click here for more information.
We are able to offer this plan to all interested missionaries for $3.00 each month. If you are signed up for this subscription, an extra $3.00 will be charged to your transaction-fee total each month. After signup confirmation, you will have access through your account to these additional apps and services. If you are interested in signing up for this plan, please respond to this email. Thank you!
Friday Financial Tip #45: Processing Dates
During the end of the year, our processing dates are limited because of the need to allow for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Please note the following important dates:
November 2025
- Final Processing Date: November 20
- Missionary Support Paid: November 28
December 2025
- Final Processing Date: December 16
- Missionary Support Paid: December 30
Thank you!
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.