The short answer: buy from a shop that tells you exactly where its giving goes, and through whom. The more specific the claim, the more you can trust it. A shop should name the church, ministry or charity it gives through, explain how the giving works, and answer your questions if you ask. Vague promises like "we give back" aren't something you can check.
I'm Joan Phipps, and I run Kinsman & Company with my family. Supporting missions is part of why we started the shop, so I want to share how to check any store's giving claims, including ours.
Why it's worth asking
Many shops now say a purchase "gives back." Some do wonderful work. Others use the phrase loosely, and it can be hard to tell the difference from the outside. When you're buying a gift for a friend who loves missions, a little checking means your purchase does what you hoped it would.
5 questions to ask before you buy
- Who receives the money? Look for a named church, mission board or registered charity. A specific name lets you look them up yourself.
- How does the giving work? Is it a portion of every sale, a set amount per product, or a yearly donation? Good shops explain this plainly.
- Can you verify the recipient? Churches and mission agencies usually have their own websites. For U.S. charities, you can check registration with the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
- Will the shop answer questions? Send a short email asking where the giving goes. A friendly, specific reply is a good sign.
- Does the mission fit the products? A shop whose owners are personally involved in the ministry they support is more likely to give consistently than one that added a cause for marketing.
What is faith promise giving?
Faith promise giving is how many Baptist and independent churches fund missionaries. Church members prayerfully commit to give a certain amount to missions over the year, above their regular tithe, trusting God to provide it. The church then sends that support to the missionaries it partners with, at home and around the world.
Because the church sends the support directly to missionaries it knows, giving through a local church's faith promise program keeps the money close to people who are accountable for it.
How Kinsman & Company supports missions
A portion of every Kinsman & Company purchase goes to support missionaries at home and worldwide through faith promise giving at Liberty Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana, where my husband, Pastor Andy Phipps, serves.
We're a small family business, so this isn't a separate program run by a marketing team. It's our own church and the missionaries our congregation prays for by name. If you'd like to know more about how our giving works, email us at info@kinsmanandcompany.shop. We're always glad to talk about it.
Gifts that give twice
When you shop with us, your gift gives twice: once to the woman you love, and once to the missionaries carrying the Gospel around the world. Every piece we make carries a King James Bible verse, chosen to encourage her heart every time she reaches for it.
If she's building a daily quiet time, the Walk with God Prayer Journal Gift Set pairs our two-year reflection journal with a "Pray Without Ceasing" scripture pen. She can look back and see, in her own handwriting, how God answered her prayers.
If she carries her Bible to every service and study, our Purple Bible Cover for Women keeps it protected, with Psalm 28:7 as a daily reminder: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped."
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." — James 1:17
From our family to yours.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a store really donates to missions?
Look for a named recipient you can look up, a clear explanation of how the giving works, and a shop that answers questions about it. Generic "we give back" language with no names is hard to verify.
Is it better to give directly to missionaries instead of buying gifts?
Giving directly through your church is the most direct way to support missionaries. Buying from a mission-minded shop is an extra way to help when you're already shopping for a gift, not a replacement for giving.
Which church does Kinsman & Company give through?
Liberty Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana, through its faith promise missions giving. Pastor Andy Phipps, my husband, serves there.
Do all Kinsman & Company products support missions?
Yes. A portion of every purchase goes to missions, whatever you buy.
