Up to 99 per cent of Christian mission workers are struggling to pay their bills, data shows.

Stewardship, an organization supporting over 250,000 individuals working on missionary projects around the world, has data that demonstrates how Christians working in missions do not have enough money to cover basic expenses, according to Premier.

Daniel Jones, chief generosity officer for Stewardship, says incidental expenses are one of many reasons those working in missions can struggle to pay for the essentials.

"Often it will be getting by on just enough, relying on sometimes some direct support from close family or friends."

Jones says that when bigger expenses come up, real problems begin to surface for these missionaries.

"The car breaks down, there isn't anything in the savings pot to cover a rent increase, etc.," says Jones. "For people working overseas often it might be cases of illness where there isn't the NHS that they can fall back on and therefore having to pay for additional medical costs."

Essential expenses can vary in number depending on several factors. "We'll look at which part of the world they're working in, the nature of the work that they're doing, the particular expenses that might be involved, whether a lot of travel might be required, the number of children they need to support and come up with a very specific calculation for each Christian worker," Jones explained.

For this reason, Stewardship has launched a new campaign for the Christmas season to support volunteers. So far, the campaign has raised 17 per cent of its goal of £250,000 (about $365,354.63 Canadian).

A stigma, however, can sometimes exist for those working in missions who must ask for support financially. But while some see it as a lack of belief that God will provide in times of need, Jones says that asking for help does not dispute reliance on God.

"I see evidence in the Bible of times where God's people have been shown and encouraged by the Lord to fundraise and to go to others within the community of believers to say, 'Look, I'm doing this particular gospel work, please, will you will you support me?'"