Raising support for your trip is important for several reasons:
Ministry takes a team:
- It establishes in our hearts and the hearts of others that this endeavor is bigger than any individual and must be accomplished by God through multiple means.
- It allows other people who aren’t going on the trip to be involved in the ministry and receive a huge blessing. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul spoke of what he could do, what Apollos could do and then what only God could do.
- It provides an opportunity for others to show their belief in you and bless you.
You have needs:
- …financial support
- …prayer support
- …discipline of preparation
- …humility from asking others to help and from seeing God provide
Below is a checklist for you to follow as you raise your support:
Step 1: Make a List of Potential Supporters
These are the people to whom you can send a letter:
- Family
- Friends/Parents of friends
- Church family/Staff
- Teachers/Coaches
- Former Teachers/Coaches
- Employers
- Neighbors
- Other Believers
Step 2: Write Your Letter (See our sample support letter)
Things to include:
- Your complete name and address
- Opening paragraph: Greeting and your current activities
- Details about the campaign –place, date, purpose, etc.
- Ask them to be on your team as a prayer partner and a financial partner
- Price of the trip
- How they can give:
Donations can be made at online OR send in a check made payable to NEXT Worldwide with your name and trip code in the memo line. Include details about how and where to send it. (The trip code being included and accurate is crucial, as our finance department processes thousands of checks for trip participants – and we want to apply the check to the appropriate person
- IMPORTANT: This statement must be included in your letter: “If for any reason I’m unable to participate in the trip, your gift will be used to support the short-term mission program of NEXT Worldwide.”
- Close with final comments and signature.
Step 3: Assemble Mail-Out
- Hand addressing the mailing envelope adds a personal touch.
- Include a self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope with support letter.
Step 4: Keep Track of Support
Create a spreadsheet to record:
- Name of supporter
- Address of supporter
- Amount of support
- Date support received
- Type (online, check #, cash)
- Date thank-you is sent
- Date newsletter is sent
Set up and check your fundraising page often to know your support-status and keep your supporters informed of your progress through social networking!
Step 5: Send Checks to NEXT Worldwide
Your name and campaign code must be in the memo line. Mail money and checks received to:
NEXT Worldwide, P.O. Box 271130, Flower Mound, TX 75027
Step 6: Send Thank-You Notes Immediately
This is important because it:
- Tells supporters that you have received their gift
- Conveys that they are valued
- Allows you to bless them
Step 7: Send a Newsletter Following the Trip
This is important because it allows the supporter to see how God blessed their prayer and financial gift. It also gives them an opportunity to continue in the ministry by praying for you and those to whom you ministered.
Things to include in your newsletter:
- Thank you to your supporters
- Stories of encounters you had in sharing the gospel and discipling individuals, interesting and funny things that happened, etc.
- Pictures of people with whom you worked
- Ways God worked in and through you
- Any conclusions, new direction, life-change, or future plans that came from your experience
- See our sample newsletter.
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