CAUSE 4 LIFE GLOBAL MISSIONS AND INTERNSHIPS SUPPORT RAISING TOOLKIT Connect Tell the Story Thank Supporters
Thank you for taking part in Joni and Friends Cause 4 Life Global Missions and Internships! The journey you are about to embark on will impact your heart and mind for disability ministry. The people you serve, your teammates, and your supporters will have a firsthand account of the change the Lord performs in your life. Start your journey today. Use this toolkit to create and update a support team for your internship. BEFORE YOUR INTERNSHIP Become familiar with Joni and Friends Become familiar with Joni and Friends and contact Cause 4 Life with questions. Review the Goer s and Senders Roles, the Principles of Raising Support, and the Support Raising Timeline for your outreach. Prepare for interactions with supporters Brainstorm how you will answer Frequently Asked Questions about your outreach. Set up your Fundraising Tracking Tool and check it for activity. Brainstorm 60 People or more who could join your support team. Connect with potential supporters and your church leadership Share the vision for your outreach through different Ways of Making Contact, including making personal presentations, phone calls, sending letters, creating your personal page on Luminate and social media Think about Creative Ways to Build Your Support Team. Clearly communicate How to Make a Donation. Send thank-you notes to people who join your support team. DURING YOUR INTERNSHIP Capture stories Take photographs to share with supporters and the JAF staff. Make note of stories to share about what you are experiencing and how you see God at work. 1
AFTER YOU RETURN HOME Follow up with supporters Report on the Outreach to donors, supporters, your prayer team, and your church. Send thank-you notes to teammates, donors and others who helped the outreach succeed. CAUSE 4 LIFE TEAM Daniel Thomson Director Academic Engagement 818.575.1714 Agoura Hills / IDC dthomson@joniandfriends.org Rachel Roleder Manager Cause 4 Life 818.575.1708 Agoura Hills / IDC rroleder@joniandfriends.org Donna Masek Senior Coordinator Cause 4 Life 818.575.1772 Agoura Hills/ IDC dmasek@joniandfriends.org Please contact us with any questions or concerns! We are here to support you. 2
ABOUT JONI AND FRIENDS OUR VISION To accelerate Christian ministry in the disability community. OUR MISSION To communicate the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities. OUR VALUES Honor God in everything we do. Build relationships based on trust and respect. Maintain integrity and excellence in programs and services. Practice responsible stewardship. THE FOUR THINGS WE DO Evangelize people affected by disabilities and their families - We bring the ministry and the world of reconciliation to people affected by disabilities so that they might receive Christ as their Savior and become conformed to His image. Each relationship and program in which we engage is centered upon how it facilitates people knowing Christ better. Train, disciple and mentor people affected by disabilities - There is a great potential for leadership and service in the disability community. We seek to identify such people and equip them to be effective servants of Christ. Multiply disability effective churches - A disability effective church is one which has moved from a lack of awareness regarding people affected by disabilities to one which incorporates them into the fabric of the church's worship, fellowship and outreach. Such churches also seek to influence and train other churches to become disability affective. Promote a biblical worldview on disability through education and policy - A biblical worldview informs our understanding of the gospel, evangelism, and provides a theological framework for disability. Financial accountability and transparency are important to Joni and Friends. For this reason: JAF is an active member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. JAF undergoes a voluntary annual audit and posts the results of those audits on our web site. JAF is a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization in compliance with federal regulations. Return to the checklist. 3
GOERS/SENDERS ROLES You have been called. You know (or may be discovering) your God-given skills and heart for people with disabilities. You are focused and ready to go. You are a Goer. Others also love God and have been embraced by His goodness. They are called to give and to be part of the community of believers He uses to spread the Gospel both in the United States and internationally. They are the Senders! You are a Goer. God has called you to this time and place. (Acts 17:26) You are not here by chance but choice following God s direction. (Ephesians 2:10) God provides Senders. Just as God has placed a calling upon you, He will place a calling upon your Senders. (1 Corinthians 3:7-9) Your task is to introduce your Senders to your mission so they too can choose to be obedient to the One who calls. (Matthew 25:44-46) God knows your need. The amount of money you need seems vast, but God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalm 50:10) You don t know how, when or from where the money is going to come, but God does. (Matthew 6:8) You have the freedom to rest in God s assurance, being responsible to ask and wait on God to meet your need. (Jeremiah 17:7-8) God will provide all your needs. (Philippians 4:19) Return to the checklist. PRINCIPLES OF RAISING SUPPORT PRAYER Ask God to prepare you for the task; ask that God will be glorified. Remind yourself that He is the ultimate supplier of all your needs. God is preparing the hearts of those He has called to give. Ask Him to clarify the names of people He wants you to contact. As you follow God s direction, He will lead you to those who are ready and able to support you. There are two main reasons why people give: a cause and/or a relationship. 4
CAUSE Cause 4 Life (C4L) Global Missions and Internships encourage the Spirit empowered growth of a biblical compassionate love for others (Luke 10:25-37), within current and emerging Christian leaders, resulting in action-oriented ministry with people affected by disability (Luke 14:21-23) together spreading HOPE around the world. Your cause is your mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and bring comfort, aid, and hope by using your specific skill set to minister to people with disabilities and their families. How you express your cause will be personal. Think about why you want to participate. Make sure that you can tell people why you want to be involved. RELATIONSHIP God has placed you in casual, professional and family relationships. In all relationships, God can and will work to supply your prayer and financial needs. After prayer, compile a list of people you know, including those you seldom see and those who aren t believers. It is our experience that interns need an average of twenty-five donors to fund the majority of their expenses. Contact these people in person, by phone or through mail. Then let the Holy Spirit prompt them to give. Remember, those you ask will be blessed. You have given them the opportunity to become part of something transformative presenting the Gospel through tangible displays of love. By supporting you in prayer and giving financially, they will impact the world. RESPONSIBILITY Cause 4 Life asks for a travel deposit several months before international trips and furthermore requires the total cost to be submitted forty days prior to the beginning of your internship. Donations in excess of your internship costs will be absorbed into the Cause 4 Life general fund. Please keep track of your fundraising progress so that you raise the appropriate amount and keep your donors up to date when you have reached your goal! THANKING SENDERS It is incredibly important to thank your senders as soon as possible and also to provide them with updates about your mission or internship. Thank senders verbally and in writing. This includes people who have provided prayer support as well as those who gave financially. Your online account will provide a list of donors and the amount given; it is up to you to keep a list of those who have supported you through prayer. We suggest sending a thank-you note shortly after someone donates as well sending them an update after your return. Give yourself a few days after returning to meditate on your experience. However, it is wise to contact people within two weeks of returning. Update senders in the same manner as you initially approached them. If you met in person or gave a presentation, meet again to share about the impact of your mission or internship. Use pictures to show key moments or people. These pictures could also be used in letters or emails. Remind your senders that the fruit of the mission belongs to them as well; they were an integral part of your experience! 5
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Where you are going and what is life like there? Why are you going? Do you think God is calling you specifically? What will you be doing? What is the background of Joni and Friends/Cause 4 Life? What is the cost and what does that include? What are your prayer requests and what do you hope God accomplishes? How does someone make a donation? 6
WAYS OF MAKING CONTACT What are the most successful ways to contact potential supporters? The following are ranked according to their effectiveness: 1. One on one 2. Small group discussion 3. Large group discussion 4. Phone 5. Handwritten letter or note 6. Typed letter PERSONAL PRESENTATIONS A personal, face-to-face meeting provides access to you: your heart, desires, goals and dreams. People will respond to these. Whether this meeting is a one-on-one or with a group, your presentation should be concise. Fifteen minutes is sufficient. Do not forget your purpose is to share your cause and to ask for support. End the meeting with prayer. Always leave something in hand, such as an individual support letter or promo card. Don t forget to think about creative ways to build your support team! PHONE CALLS Apart from individual or group presentations, the telephone is your best friend. When phoning, be considerate of the time and length of your call. It may be helpful to ask if it is a good time to be calling. If not, ask when you should call back. Make a note of the time and date and remember to return calls. Verify each person s address and send a follow-up letter. EMAIL AND LETTERS A well-written letter or email goes a long way, but you do not need to be a writer or a great theologian to share your purpose. People want to hear your plans in your own words. Why are you interning? Look at the sample support letter that follows this section, and remember the following: Letters can be more than one page and should include pictures (you, the country you are visiting, etc.), inserts, and other engaging material. The format should be visually interesting. Explain the specifics of the internship: destination, dates, estimated cost, and purpose. Talk about the people you will serve. Explain that any amount of support will be welcomed, but be sure to clearly state the total amount needed. Include specific prayer requests. 7
Mention that donors must make all checks, money orders and/or credit card charges payable to Joni and Friends in order to receive a tax receipt. Request that the donor put your name, C4L, and the name of your internship on the memo line. (Examples: Rachel Roleder-C4L-MMA or Rachel Roleder-C4L-Uganda or Rachel Roleder-C4L-IDC) Include specific instructions on how to donate online (see the How to Make a Donation section). Include a stamped envelope addressed to Joni and Friends, Attn: Cause 4 Life, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA, 91376. SOCIAL MEDIA Blog update on your plans, fundraising progress, internship events, and stories afterwards Facebook-post updates before and during; promote Cause 4 Life. Twitter-- post updates before and during; promote Cause 4 Life. Pinterest- start a board for items people can donate to go toward your internship Luminate Joni and Friends fundraising platform helps you create a personal fundraising campaign. Once you join a team (based on your specific internship) you will be prompted to create a personal page. You can use the pre-designed templates or develop personal content for your page. You can also customize the templates using pictures, videos and memes provided by C4L. Luminate is designed to assist you in asking for donations, tracking your fundraising progress, sending thank you emails to your donors and following up with donors once your internship is completed. Return to the checklist. CREATIVE WAYS TO BUILD YOUR SUPPORT TEAM Hold a dinner party themed around the culture of the people who will be served on the outreach. Invite potential supporters to a cultural fair that is being held in your area; ask them to gather for prayer and a brief presentation before they explore the fair. Connect with local restaurants to have a fundraising night. Generally, the proceeds from one night s sales can go to your outreach. Contact local restaurants for more information. Work with other short-term missionaries to hold a progressive dinner at your church building. Have each room represent a different culture or short-term mission. Attendees visit each room to hear about the outreach and get one portion of their meal. For example: the China room serves rice; the India room serves naan; Romania serves Tocaniţă " (meat stew with onions and/or spices); and the Peru room serves rice pudding for dessert. 8
Hold a coffee shop or coffee sales fundraiser. Lanna Coffee (www.lannacoffee.org) is a nonprofit organization that offers bags of coffee for sale for fundraising. Purchase the coffee for $7.50 per pound plus about $1 per pound for shipping, sell it to others for $15 per pound, and the $6.50 difference goes toward your outreach. Watch the video on their web site to find out how it works! Cheap & Simple! Have T-Shirts made to sell Auction off your time or special skill set. (i.e. babysitting, art, photography, etc.) Return to the checklist. 9
SAMPLE FLYERS AND DONOR LETTERS SAMPLE FLYERS AND DONOR LETTERS Joni and Friends Cause 4 Life Uganda Visual of you and your destination May 22 - June11, 2016 MY STORY Josh Wilson This summer I have been given the great privilege to serve in Uganda with the organization Joni and Friends from May 22-Jun 11, 2016 (joniandfriends.org for more information!). Joni and Friends is an organization dedicated to communicating the Gospel and equipping churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disability. This mission will be an incredible opportunity to share Christ s love and participate in the mighty things He desires to do in and through my team. I was inspired to serve on this mission trip because of my own journey in physical therapy, feelings of inadequacy, and finding out what my identity in Christ really looks like. A huge part of our identity in Christ is that we are enough. And we are enough only because Christ is enough. This has become a passion of mine to communicate through physical therapy that people are enough as they are because Christ is enough. I will be going on this trip with 9 other team members. Together we will be serving over 130 children with various physical and intellectual disabilities at a special needs school, teaching children in the education classrooms; provide vocational training, recreation and physical therapy. We will also be providing training to teachers, therapists and caregivers in various programs. My prayer for this trip is for God s love and the Gospel Message to be tangibly displayed through our service to those in Uganda. As I step out of my comfort zone and gain their perspective on life, I pray that I would be more sensitive to God s heart for His people all around the world. I want them to experience the great love of God that I have been privileged enough to receive. I know that I cannot do this on my own, but I pray that God will use me and empower me as His servant in Uganda. To partner with me on this trip and become part of something bigger to impact the world, please support me in prayer. Prayer is what we need most, specifically that my heart would be prepared, humbled, and submitted to God each day on this trip, for physical and spiritual protection, for unity among my team members (we don t know each other at all!), for God to prepare the hearts of those in Uganda to receive him as their personal savior, and finally that this concept of being enough will resonate with them. If you would like to support me financially there are steps below in order for you to do so. I need to raise $3800 by 4/12/16.Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and thank you in advance for any and all the support that you will provide. God bless! Introduction to Joni and Friends Outreach details & why you want to be involved How they can be involved Check or Money Order: All donations must be made payable to Joni and Friends in order to receive a tax donation receipt. On the memo line put: Joshua Wilson-C4L-Uganda. Submit to: Joni and Friends Attn: Cause 4 Life P.O. Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376 Prayer requests and instructions for Giving Credit Card: Go to https://www.joniandfriends.org/support/. Enter my last name (Wilson) and my account number (7525E8). 10
Joni and Friends Cause For Life Ministry & Missions Academy Arizona June 7 to August 1, 2017 Dear Friends and Family, I have been accepted by Joni and Friends to serve in their Ministry and Missions Academy in Arizona, from June 7th to August 1 st. Joni and Friends is an organization dedicated to communicating the Gospel and equipping churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disability. The Academy will consist of Education Training, Hands-On Ministry Service, Community Outreach and a Missions Trip to Mexico. It is all about empowering people with disabilities and providing for their physical, mental and spiritual needs. Education - The Beyond Suffering curriculum, provides an Overview of Disability, Theology of Suffering and Disability, Church and Disability Ministry and Introduction to Bio-Ethics Ministry Service - Will include serving at the Ability360 Center which provides services to people with disabilities in the Phoenix area. It consists of multiple non-profit disability organizations all under one roof. Ability 360 provides community integration, programs and advocacy, home modifications, peer mentoring and a sports and fitness center offering adaptive sports and recreation for people with disabilities. http://www.ability360.org Church and Community Outreach Serving special needs children, teens and adults through the local church and community. Highland Church http://www.highlandschurch.org/#, Joni and Friends Family Retreat http://www.joniandfriends.org/family-retreats/ I'm excited about the opportunity and experience that lie ahead. There is so much value in what we will accomplish. You can be a part of this Ministry by joining us in praying for the following: Pray for our team as we serve & minister to people with disabilities and their families God would prepare their hearts to hear His message of salvation All of the trip's financial needs will be met in a timely fashion In order for this trip to be possible, I am responsible to raise $3,800 by 4/30/16. This cost includes transportation, housing, food, insurance, and project materials. If you would like to support me financially with a tax-deductible donation, please visit (ENTER YOUR PERSONAL LUMINATE LINK) and click on donate now. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I feel very fortunate to be able to participate. Thank you for helping make it possible! In Him, (Your name) 11
CAUSE 4 LIFE - CHINA Joni and Friends Disability Ministry LoveCompassionHope Luke 10:25-37 Support Please Pray! Write an encouraging note Make a donation Financial Support Need to raise $3500 by June 27, 2016 To make an online credit card donation, go to http://www.joniandfriends.org/supp ort/ enter Marine and account # (078B4F), and fill out all information. To make a tax-deductible donation by check, please make payable to Joni and Friends and write Kinsey Marine C4L-China on the memo line. Please send to: Joni and Friends Attn: Cause 4 Life P.O. Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376 Prayer Requests That my heart be prepared for the ministry that we will be a part of That there will be unity in our team so we can best be able to share God s love to the people of China That God will open the people s eyes to see and receive Him My Heart Dear friends and family, this summer I have been given the great privilege of traveling to China with an organization called Joni and Friends from July 14-Aug 4, 2016. The mission of Joni and Friends is to communicate the Gospel and equip churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disability. After a diving accident when she was 17 that left her a quadriplegic, Joni Eareckson Tada has dedicated her life to glorifying God by serving people affected by disability. This trip will be a wonderful opportunity for me and my team to show God s love to the downtrodden and forgotten. From a very young age, it has been my dream to serve God by showing His love to the people of China and by His grace, that dream is finally turning into a reality! I will be spending 2 weeks in Tianjin, China working alongside doctors, physical therapists, and caregivers at an orphanage for children with both physical and mental disabilities. I will also be a short term missionary, at a Family camp in Shenyang, serving people with disabilities and their family members or caregivers. I believe that God has been preparing me for this ministry by giving me a heart for the Chinese people and I want to be faithful in this calling. 12
BRAINSTORM 60 PEOPLE Use this tool to brainstorm people to tell about your internship. My small group: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. My church: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. My family: 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. My neighbors: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. My friends: 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. My former mission teammates: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. My volunteer friends: 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. My classmates: 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. My coworkers: 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. Other clubs and groups: 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. Return to the checklist. HOW TO MAKE A DONATION 13
All contributions are tax deductible. However, to receive a tax donation receipt from Joni and Friends, the donor must make all checks, money orders and/or credit card charges payable to Joni and Friends. Per the IRS, 501(c)(3), non-profit regulations require that all donations must be irrevocable and non-refundable. There are no exceptions. Joni and Friends does not profit or earn interest on funds. The travel deposit (which is part of your overall estimate) is also nontransferable and non-refundable. Funds are used for items related directly to the cost of the internship experience, including things such as: training materials, travel, hotels, meals, translators, etc. If the donation is payable to you and you endorse the check/money order to Joni and Friends, you become the donor and the recipient of the tax donation receipt. Thus, your donor will not be able to claim the tax deduction. If someone gives you a donation (payable to JAF), please do not keep it for more than two weeks. Ideally, please send donations to JAF as soon as you receive them. CASH Sometimes, donors will contribute cash directly to team members who then donate a lump sum to their account. We can only issue tax receipts to direct donors. Thus, if you receive a cash donation, in order for the donor to receive a receipt you must purchase a money order made out to Joni and Friends with the name and address of your donor. Keep a record of the donors and the amount given. Please do not send cash through the postal service. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER All donations must be made payable to Joni and Friends in order to receive a tax donation receipt. Request that the donor put your name, C4L, and the name of your internship on the memo line. (Example: Rachel Roleder-C4L-MMA or Rachel Roleder-C4L-Uganda or Rachel Roleder-C4L-IDC) All check contributions made on your behalf must be submitted to: Joni and Friends Attn: Cause 4 Life P.O. Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376 CREDIT CARD 14
1. Donors can give online via credit card directly into your account by following the link you give them to your personal page in Luminate. Donors can also make a credit card payment over the phone by calling (818)707-5664. If making a donation by phone, make sure the donor provides your name and tells the Joni and Friends person taking the donation that you are a Cause-4-Life intern. Otherwise you may not receive credit for the donation. Return to the checklist. TRACKING YOUR FUNDRAISING FOR THE OUTREACH Through the Luminate fundraising platform you can check your balance and view a record of donors names and amounts given. You may also personally make a credit card donation into your account through Luminate. Return to the checklist. 15
REPORT ON THE INTERNSHIP 1 WHAT TO SHARE Unity with diversity know the difference between form and function. Share the different forms of worship, music, preaching, prayer, et cetera, while keeping in mind that they serve the same function of glorifying God. Share your experience (don t preach) the testimony of how God worked in your life is enough to motivate and convict others. Trust God to speak to people; don t tell them what they should be doing. Be sure to share what God did during your ministry. The tendency is to share about numbers (how many people came to Christ, how fast we built a building, etc.). Instead, tell about the life-change that took place in your life and the lives of others. HOW TO SHARE IT Letters or Emails Send a follow-up letter or email to the people you originally contacted with stories from your internship. Consider sending a second thank-you card to donors. Social Media Blog, Facebook, photo album, Picasa, Twitter, etc. Use Visual Aids Proper use of pictures and video is important. However, people can get bored with a narration of each picture. Always lean toward less! Short and Specific Don t give an itinerary. Share one specific experience instead. This will keep you from rambling. Always leave them wanting more! Be Gracious Thank you, thank you (like the Oscars). Seriously, show appreciation to your church for their support and prayers. Ask for Prayer Ask the church to pray for you and your team as you make life changes, pray for the people and the place where the team ministered, and pray for God s vision to be fulfilled in the church! Sing Songs in a Foreign Language Teach them a simple song that you learned and explain the meaning. Drama perform a mime or skit that can tell the story of what you did or experienced. Share a Meal Prepare several dishes from your place of ministry, and while people are enjoying the food, present your program. Return to the checklist. 1 The Next Mile: Short-term missions for the long haul www.thenextmile.org 16