SUGGESTIONS FOR SUPPORT RAISING FOR NORTHSIDE MISSION TRIPS SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT RAISING SUPPORT Many would-be missionaries avoid becoming missionaries for the very reason they must raise support to go. They view it as having to "beg" from others to support their ministries. Part of it is the American culture in which the donor is perceived as being in a position of strength and the recipient is viewed in position of weakness, someone to be pitied. Nothing could be farther from the truth. BIBLICAL APPROACH TO RAISING SUPPORT The truth is that those doing the Lord's work deserve the prayers and support (spiritual, emotional AND financial) of others. Moses commanded Israel to provide for the Levites and priests. Elijah was taken care of by the widow at Zarephath (I Kings 17:7-24). Jesus was welcomed into the homes of many during his ministry like Mary & Martha and Zaccheus. He sent out the Disciples with the expectation that they would receive hospitality from the people they ministered to (Matthew 10:7-14). The Apostle Paul made tents to support his ministry, but he also received gifts from Christians in Philippi and Macedonia. Giving allows other Christians to be partners with you in ministry (Philippians 1:36). When you ask others to support your ministry, God is challenging them to use a spiritual gift for ministry (Romans 12:8). You are allowing them to minister to you and through you to others. Often, too, they are blessed by God in many intangible and tangible ways for being a blessing to you. The widow at Zarephath received back her dead son. Mary & Martha received back Lazarus. Do not let your fear of asking be a stumbling block to asking potential donors. Some are simply waiting to be asked. Not asking them means no rejection but also means they never have the chance to say "Yes! I'll help!". YOU ARE GOING TO PRISON OR WORSE! (JUST AN ILLUSTRATION!) Suppose you need a lawyer to represent you in a life-or-death court case. Would you consider a lawyer who has known you for awhile such as a former coworker or friend or would you choose someone out of the phone book? You would probably choose a lawyer who has known you a while and has a relationship with you. Say you had several such friends in mind who would qualify to represent you in court. Who would you choose--the one who sends a form letter, someone who sends an email, the individual who makes a personal phone call or the friend who comes by to visit you? You would probably choose the lawyer who visits you. You would choose the lawyer who has a personal connection to you and who shows the most interest in your case.
WHO & HOW SHOULD I ASK? That's all well and good but I don't need a lawyer! Right, but you would choose a lawyer you knew well. The people you should ask for support are those who know you well. This includes family, former teachers/classmates/coworkers/employers etc., anyone who has had or has a relationship of some kind with you, especially if he or she is a Christian. Remember, too, Christians from churches you used to attend. Remember, the lawyer who makes the personal visit got the case. If it is possible, ask your potential donor by phone or in person. America is increasingly a society of faxes, emails and mass media. These are highly impersonal and human connection is lost. Much of communication is nonverbal in gestures, tone and body language. Phone potential donors to set up times to meet, perhaps over dinner, to discuss your mission trip. Send them information ahead of time about the goals and purpose of the mission trip and prayer requests. If several friends are in the same geographical area, then perhaps arrange to meet with several at one time or one after the other if convenient. Personal letters in which you remind your friends of the connections you share(ed) are probably second-best. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO ASK Even if you could afford to go without raising any funds from anyone else, we would encourage you to do so. Raising funds from others forces us to really think through why we are participating in the trip and why it is important enough for others to invest in. Well-written letters can be very effective. For some of us, writing things out enables us to explain ourselves better than we do when we are speaking. Be sure to tell your potential donors the who, what, when, where, and why of the mission trip, along with how much? You really need to get your letters out early in order for friends to have time to respond prior to financial due dates. It is helpful to many donors for you to suggest an amount they might give. For example, you might write, I am sending this information to fifty of my friends. If God would lead each of you to send $50, the cost of trip would be covered and I could focus on other preparations. Be sure to thank in advance and as many times as your can after the gift is given. SHOW YOUR GRATITUDE FOR THEIR SUPPORT! Nothing says thank you like saying "thank you"! Be thankful for whatever answer your potential donor may give. Some may only be able to pray for you considering their financial situation. Others may be in a position to help with small gifts and some with large gifts. Whatever their help, be thankful. Even if someone is not able to help at this time, they may be able to help in your next mission trip. Thank them for their prayers for you. Before you leave for your trip, send a letter of thanks along with prayer requests. Include the names of team members and missionaries you will work with so supporters can pray for you. When you arrive on the field, send email, letters or postcards to each of your supporters (including prayer supporters). Take lots of photos of the work and people who are ministered to. Sometimes there may be inexpensive souvenirs or
trinkets that would well represent the field you visit. When you return, choose one or two photos or memento that best summarize the ministry, make copies for all your supporters and mail these along with thank you notes or a newsletter to all who gave and prayed for your mission trip. If possible, schedule personal visits afterward and share all the photos from your trip. If so inclined, fix a native meal for your supporters as a thank you. It will minister to your supporters to see how God used their gifts for His Kingdom. It will also keep the doors open should God call you to full time missions in the future (and He just might!). The relationships with donors that you develop now can be great help in the future. KEEP GOOD RECORDS Be a wise steward of the resources that your donors share with you. Before going, have a tentative personal budget and personal ministry goals. Let donors know what their money enabled you to do for the kingdom. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! Any questions? Pray for a positive attitude towards support raising. Pray for guidance to the right people to ask. Pray for God's providence in their lives that they will be able to support you in prayer and gifts. Pray for your supporters that they will see God at work in your mission trip. Pray that YOU will see God at work in your support raising. Don't forget to keep supporters up to date with prayer requests. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS LIVE FRUGALLY America is a very affluent society in which we have an awful lot of stuff, much more than we need. Consider how you personally can live more frugally as you prepare for your mission trip. Will that car go another year or two before I trade it in? Do I really need the latest CD from Taylor Swift? Could I fast a couple of meals per week? Could I cook more of my meals rather than eat out? This is part of the training to be a missionary as the Apostle Paul told the Philippians (4:11,12), "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... in need... in plenty... and every situation... whether well fed or hungry." Be content with what God has given us. All our needs are supplied. How many of the things that we think we need are really things we want? This will help prepare you for the mission field where life will be different and you will need to be satisfied with what is available. TENTMAKING, INC. OR TENTS-R-US As we pray for support, remember that God may open up doors for extra income. The Apostle Paul was able to make tents to support his ministry throughout Asia Minor and Greece. This work supported him. God may allow you extra work or jobs to save
towards the trip, whether babysitting or a part time job. If it does not interfere with spiritual growth or ministry then it may be a source of income. The Apostle Paul did not let tentmaking take away time from preaching in the synagogues. Look at the extra work as a chance to share with coworkers. Priscilla and Aquila came to be partners in Paul's ministry through his tentmaking business. Could the extra work be an opportunity to share Christ with a coworker as well as support your ministry? FOR MORE INFORMATION People Raising: A Practical Guide to Raising Support by William P. Dillon from Moody Press, copyright 199 If you could use any assistance in your fund-raising efforts, please contact Kevin Punch at 417-833-1861 ext 105 or Kevin@NorthsideChristianChurch.net If it would be helpful, I can share a couple of sample appeal letters with you, but I think you are capable of writing your own. Remember to tell where we are going, why we are going there, why you believe God is calling you to be a part of this effort, what they can pray for, how much you need to raise, and a suggested amount they can give. Be humble and grateful even in your asking. Be sure to send a pre-addressed reply envelope with your request. All donations are tax deductible, but donors cannot put your name on their checks or the IRS disallows the deduction. I don't know why. So, put your name on the envelope somewhere, but have them send the donations directly to Northside Christian Church 4902 N. State HWY H Springfield, MO 6580
Who Do I Ask? " Worksheet (Print off and write names in as you brainstorm) Present Church Members (Home town congregation) Family Members (Close and extended family) Friends and/or friends' parents who have invested in my life
Coworkers and/or employers, past and present Teachers and/or coaches I've stayed in touch with Doctors, dentists, orthodontists and other medical professionals who have been part of my life
Neighbors and/or older adult family friends Feel free to create more categories!