Thoughts from Dan jones
A lot of people who consider going on a mission trip are intimidated by the idea of raising money to go on that trip. I know when I first considered the idea, I felt like if I couldn’t afford it, I shouldn’t go.
But that’s not the right way to think about this.
Pastor John Piper said, “When it comes to the Great Commission, there are three kinds of Christians: 1.) Zealous goers, 2.) Zealous senders, and 3.) Disobedient.
That may seem harsh, but The Great Commission is a command, not an optional part of Christian life. If the Holy Spirit is tugging at your soul to go on a mission trip, that’s fabulous! That makes you a zealous goer! But, please remember that there are people all around you who may not be able to go or simply aren’t called to go. By supporting you with (first and foremost) prayer and (second) the financial resources to go, you are giving them the opportunity to be zealous senders and participate in The Great Commission themselves!
That means writing and sending an effective, compelling support letter is as much a part of Kingdom work as actually stepping onto the plane! Yes, this is the digital age and you can certainly email people letters, but there is something about an actual paper letter delivered via snail mail that makes it more effective, even if you are sending it to people who are in their twenties or thirties.
Step one
Start with an honest in-your-own-words explanation of what the LORD is doing in your heart to make you want to go, even if you’re not sure exactly what He is doing in your life. “I never thought I would go on a mission trip, but I can’t ignore that the Holy Spirit is telling me to go.” That works.
Explain where you are going, when, and what your team intends to do while you are there. “We will be travelling to Genesis Church in Iquitos, Peru, on July 1 to help put on Vacation Bible School for local school children and show them the love of Jesus Christ is real and powerful no matter the distance between the children of God.” Keep in mind that, as believers, we are all children of God no matter where we were born or currently reside.
step two
Find a nice color photo to put at the very top of your letter. The GoServ website has several from all over the world and all the ministries we serve and we are happy to let you use them! Pictures of happy, smiling children being loved by people sent by Jesus are an excellent choice. While you may be tempted to use pictures of people (especially children) in poverty to tug at some heartstrings, I personally feel that’s a little cringe-worthy, and there are plenty of other ministries doing that.
step three
Ask for prayer first. Prayer and the help and support of the LORD that comes from constant prayer are far more important than any amount of money.
step Four
Let the reader know the cost of the trip and what it involves. “The cost of the trip is $2500. This includes airfare, food and lodging for eight nights, the cost of interpreters, and travel within the country.”
Let them know how to donate.”If the Holy Spirit moves you to participate in The Great Commission financially, simply put a check in the enclosed postage-paid envelope and drop it in the mailbox. Please write my name in the memo.” (It’s important to include an envelope with a stamp on it in your letter. People do NOT want to waste that 73-cent stamp!) You can also give them the option to pay via GoServ Global’s other payment methods (GoFundMe, paypal, online donation, venmo, etc.). Just make sure they know to put your name in the memo!
step Five
IMPORTANT! When you return, it is essential that you send a letter to all who supported you telling them what happened on your trip and expressing your sincere gratitude! If you can send some small memento of your trip that they would enjoy, that’s great! Years ago, I found tiny little jars at Hobby Lobby which I took on a trip to Israel and filled with water from the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Yes, it cost a couple of dollars each to mail those jars of water to my supporters when I returned, but they loved them –and they did not forget me when my next trip came around! I’ve done the same thing with water from the Amazon River at Iquitos and a well we installed in Larpeah #1, Liberia.
I hope this helps. Above all else, remember that in all the universe and beyond, there is no power greater and more powerful than the love of God. He created us in love to love Him and to love each other. That brings Him glory! Let that show in all that you are and this mission trip will change your life more than you could have ever thought or imagined!
HALLELUJAH!
