Fundraising Information
Raising support for a mission trip doesn’t have to be as scary as it seems. In fact, the process of raising support can be a very positive one as God uses this experience to build your faith in Him. It really is a matter of perspective. When God provides you with the money you need to go, He will receive glory. And God receiving glory is really what missions is all about. So, your mission trip begins here…with raising support. This process also allows others to participate in missions by giving them an opportunity to give financially and pray strategically for you as you prepare to go.
God wants us to learn what it means to depend upon Him, and this experience will help you to learn what this means. Many people raise much more than they ever expected, or even needed. Some people may receive the remaining sum of their money just before the deadline to go on a mission trip. Ask God to build your faith in Him as you see Him provide for your needs.
As you may know, many short-term mission trips cost in excess of $2,500. Wow, that’s a lot of money! If you are like most people, you don’t have that kind of money just sitting around! Although we may sense God’s call on our lives to go on a mission project, many times the initial shock of discovering the cost of a mission trip completely steals the excitement and enthusiasm we initially had. However money, or the lack of it, should not keep you from going! If God has called you, He can provide the funds for you to go! Remember, “God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20)!!! Yes, God is able to bring the money together for you to go! Commit that verse to memory, and trust God that He can bring the funds together for you to go.
Without a doubt, God can bring the funds in to help pay for your trip! However, unless God drops the money in your lap without publicizing the need to one person (and He may, in fact, do this), you might consider informing others about the need. One of the best ways to pay for a mission trip is to involve your family, friends, and acquaintances in your mission effort. Individually meeting with and/or writing an informative and personal letter to those you know and love can be highly effective. In either meeting with a person face-to-face or sending a “support raising letter”, both should communicate the following:
- the details of your trip (when, what work/ministry will be done),
- the call God has placed on your life to go,
- your specific need of funds,
- the incredible opportunity they have to be involved.
Obviously, you might include more than these four points, but these four points need to at least be included in any meeting or letter. You must understand that you are not just raising money. Focus on building and developing the relationships you have, and trust God to provide financial support through those relationships.
So, where should you begin? Click here for a short list of things to do…
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