Missionary Fund Raising

1. Missionary Fund Raising It’s not as bad as it sounds

2. PRAY

3. Why raise support? • To stretch our faith • Support raising is a spiritual adventure • We do not grow and mature through that which is easy • To stimulate and encourage the missionary vision in the body of Christ • You are a model for missions • You are a mobilizer for missions • You are a minister for missions • To broaden the base of financial support for missions • It can’t be done by missionary organizations alone • Your friends and family will get involved

4. Why raise support? • To develop ourselves as people • Learn poise, polish, and proficiency • Learn to use time, tact, and talent for missions • To stimulate fellowship among believers • Grow closer with your supporters • Share their burdens, praise, and prayers • To open opportunities to witness • Don’t limit to fellow believers in your church • Involve friends, neighbors, coworkers, students • Missions was and is God’s idea – share it with others

5. Is raising support biblical? • Old Testament pattern • Levitical Priests – Numbers 18:21-24 • God called Israel to tithe to support spiritual leaders • Nehemiah – Nehemiah 2:1-8 • Prayed before he asked • Asked specifically • Thought carefully about what he needed to ask

6. Is raising support biblical? • New Testament pattern • Jesus – Luke 8:1-3 • Jesus allowed others to provide • He was not embarrassed to receive help • Implies that people were providing for Jesus and Apostles • Jesus sends the twelve – Matthew 10:5-15 • Allow and expect others to provide • Disciples to be bold and ask for lodging • Paul – Romans 15:24 • Expected Christians to help him get to Spain • Paul – 2 Corinthians 1:15-16 • Expected Christians to help him get to Judea • God blesses your supporters • Phillipians 4:10-19

7. The Number One Enemy of Support Raising

8. The Number One Enemy of Support Raising • Lessons to learn • Increased confidence in God and self • Flexibility • You’ll be called to pray, preach, and teach • People will look at you differently • Patience • Learning to meet new people • Learning to be an alien • Reevaluation of my missionary call • Pray

9. Develop Support Strategy • People give to people. • People give to people they know. • People give to people they know and trust. • People give to people they know, trust, and care for. • One word: RELATIONSHIPS • Contact people in the most personal and practical way possible.

10. Begin with Prayer

11. Start with my home church • Missions Committee • Ministers/Pastors • Elders • Team Leaders should meet with the Missions Committee and Elders at home church

12. Determine to whom I will go to for support • Compile a Prospect List • Current Church Contacts • Past Church Contacts • Relatives • Neighbors • School Contacts • Grade School through Graduate School • Special Christian Groups – YFC, FCA, Campus Crusade, etc. • Employment • Supervisors, owners, coworkers, customers, clients, etc. • Service Contacts • Doctor, Dentist, Insurance Agents, Banker, Avon Lady, etc. • Friends • Christmas List (look at your parent’s Christmas list also) • Wedding List • Address Book • Clubs and Civic Groups

13. PRAY

14. Mail the first prayer letter • Opening sentence – attention getter • Introduce yourself – briefly • Convey your burden • What is the mission • What is your involvement • Who will it impact • How much do you need to raise • State the name of your mission organization, vision, outreach • Inform the reader you are 100% responsible for raising your funds • Ask for their prayers • Provide a means to respond (either financially or prayerfully) • Hand sign each letter • Include copy of letter from Greg Perry, WWYC Director

15. Get in Front of People • Make the most of every opportunity to discuss your mission • Precede each meeting with a prayer • Seek out those on your list • Pray with them • Leave results to God

16. Get in Front of People • Set up meetings for those you think appropriate • Bring them up to date on your life • Talk about how God has led you into ministry • Talk about the organization and mission • Share your vision • Conviction • Emotion • Sincerity • Confidence • Share your financial need • Ask for specific help

17. Track Support • Keep list of everyone you’ve asked/sent letters to • Track donations • Who • Check Numbers • Amount • Date Received • Date Submitted • Date that Thank You letter was sent (make it soon!!!!)

18. Say Thank You • Follow Paul’s lead • Romans 1:8 • 1 Corinthians 1:4 • Phillipians 1:3 • Say thank you immediately in writing • Acknowledge the amount • Say thank you • Let them know your expectations of this mission • Keep it brief • Keep it neat • Be prompt • Personally sign it

19. Conduct a letter/resoliciting strategy • Follow up letters are appropriate • Your donors have shown an interest • Tell where you are in your fund raising goals • Ask for further support

20. Get creative • Garage sales • Car wash • Make salvation bracelets (local craft/community fairs) • Visit your neighbors • Have a coffee/dessert time

21. Cultivate support • Don’t abuse people and expect them to help you • Follow up • Stay in contact – letters, notes, phone calls, visits • Care for people

22. PRAY

23. Role of prayer in support raising • Our need is not partial, it’s total • 1 Thessalonians 5:17

24. Enough Talking About It… • Let’s get started!!!