How to Receive Support for Mission Trips

Get financial and prayer support for your mission trip.

You've made a commitment to help a missionary group in a developing country. It may be your first mission trip or perhaps you have participated in similar activities in the past. You pray daily for God to give you the strength and support to succeed in your mission. However, you also need help raising funds to subsidize your travel expenses and support the mission project. Share your vision with friends, colleagues and the community.

Instructions

1. Approach your immediate circle. Ask your parents and siblings for financial support. Suggest that they donate to your cause instead of buying you expensive birthday or Christmas gifts. Contact your extended family and relatives. Share your passion with them and invite them to be a part of your mission.

2. Approach the pastor or administrator of your church. Describe your mission trip and ask if you can approach church members for financial support. Prepare a poster than can be included in the church bulletin or newsletter. In some churches, you may be allowed to speak to the congregation before or after the Sunday services. Alternatively, you could offer to host an informational meeting in the church hall.

3. Create a list of friends, colleagues and neighbors. Include your doctor, dentist, hairdresser, insurance agent and other professionals within your circle. Send a personal letter requesting financial and prayer support to each person on your list. Include a response card and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with each letter you send.

4. Wait 10 days before contacting each recipient. Prepare a telephone script beforehand and have pen and paper handy. Thank anyone who has contributed to your cause and send each individual a written thank you note as soon as possible. Ask the others if they have received your letter and if they have any questions. After each conversation, note the response and move to the next person on your list.

5. Organize fundraisers for your mission trip. If time permits, plan a bake sale, car wash, dinner, auction or garage sale. To hold down costs, conduct these events on church property if your pastor or priest allows it. Alternatively, you might offer short courses and workshops to members of the congregation. Share your skills -- knitting, crocheting, yoga, computer literacy, creative writing, public speaking -- and charge a minimal fee. Use the funds to subsidize your mission trip.

6. Create an online blog and write about your experiences before, during and after the mission trip. Include pictures of the mission project. Alternatively, email your family, friends and contributors, and keep them up to date on the project. Afterward, send out "thank you" notes and express your appreciation for each person's financial and prayer support.

References

• SNU: Mission Trip Fund Raising ideas from Brigada
• The Go Foundation: Fundraising - Steps to Raise Money