Yes…

Yes, raising support for a short-term trip will affect how well and how attractive you are to garnering support from these same people for a long-term ministry commitment at a  later time in one’s life.  We recently asked a group of college students why they feared raising support and one of the number one responses was because they were embarrassed to ask past supporters because they felt guilty for treating them in a thankless and impersonal way.  One of, if not the greatest fear, to raising support is asking the same people for support again because we are usually ashamed of how we shepherded them and their gift from a previous mission trip.  We forgot to inform them.  We neglected to update them after the trip.  And we failed to show them proper thanks.  Now, not only are we less attractive as a future missions investment from their point of view but we are also ashamed of how poorly we cared for someone which can limit our confidence in ever asking them again.

But the sword cuts both ways…

Just as raising support for a short term trip can set a negative precedent in people’s mind which can affect their decision to support you again so too can a positive precedent reinforce their desire to support you in the future.  We must remember that every missions opportunity will either build trust or distrust with our potential and past supporters.  And not only with us but may signficantly influence how they perceive supporting other mission entities as well. Therefore, we must envision the short-term support raising process as crucial to future missionaries being able to raise support-only salareis.  What we do now has ramifications for others later.  

The Skinny:

1)  Yes, people who have a good support experience with you for a short-term trip are much more likely to partner with you in a future long-term support capacity.  If you have been faithful in a smaller entrustment of their prayers and money then they are much more likely to entrust greater ministry partnership with you in the future.  BUT, the negative is also true.  

2) Short-term missions trips can give us two important skills before heading into full time Christian ministry:  ministry experience AND the often neglected - formation of a prayer and financial support base. 

3) We must capitalize on future staff seeing the importance of the latter and not just the former.  If a support base is started early in a believers life then if they are led into a support-only salaried position later in life then a support team is almost already in place. They need not be created only invited to join.  

4) When young Christians raise support for a ministry venture we must influence them to see the ramifications and difference between two things:

    a.  raising monies to fund a single mission trip

    b.  raising people to fund a longer and larger vision of which this trip is a part of.  

5) The problem for most young believers who want to go on staff with a support-only salaried position is that they feel ashamed to raise support. Not because they have no one to ask, but because they have already asked them before and feel guilty about doing it again.  WHY?  Because they used and abused these supporters in the past without thanking, caring, or updating them properly.  If only they had followed through with their end of the bargain for past trips: updated them, cared for them, thanked them and then continued to cultivate this team.  Then they would virtually have hardly any work to do to raise a full time vocational support team.

6) Its never too late to start again.  Everything can change for your next trip. Raise a support team with a view for the long haul.  One that you have created, cared for, and cultivated to buy into a vision for life-long ministry partnership instead of just a team that sends you a check in the mail.  

7) Does this apply to me if I don’t plan on taking a support only salaried ministry position one day?  Yes, the number 2 reason why the Christian church cannot get missionaries to the harvest field is because they cannot get supporters to fund that vision. Why can’t we get more supporters? Because many “short-termers” give them a bad experience in the past and burned any chances that they might be involved in someone else’s ministry for the future.  If you don’t plan on going into full time ministry at least care for your short-term trip supporters well so that it will increase the chances that they might support someone else in the future because of the good experience they had with you.  

8) Below are some practices that you can implement now to ensure that you set yourself and your supporters up for a potential longer term ministry partnership with you or with someone else:

The Process of building a team that will last…

* Consider calling or meeting with 5 supporters face to face about your ministry partnership needs for a summer trip instead of just sending them letters.  This will foster a more personal and intimate relationship that encourages longevity.

* Keep the emails coming.  Send them before your trip, during, and after.  Try to send them throughout the year to keep your face and vision in front of them.  Remember, out of sight, out of mind.  So, keep supporters updated with your personal ministry throughout the year and not just when you need them to finance a trip. Go ahead and build longevity and consistency into these relationships.  

* Start compiling an ever-increasing list of emails and contact information of all those you have asked or will ask to support you for summer or spring break mission opportunities.  This will cut down on you having to spend the time looking for them when you start your salaried support raising. 

* Make a “private” facebook group and invite current and potential supporters to stay up to date on your latest personal ministry.  

*Start a website that is easily accessible to your supporters so they can stay updated with your prayer requests.  

* Make newsletters to inform your supporters how their investment into you for a short-term trip has affected your vision and strategy for ministry back at home.  Keep these up even after the trip is long finished.  Try sending two a year.  

*Visit supporters personally after your trip to give them a live update and even bring them a gift back from the field and take a day to drive door to door and deliver them personally.  If they are not home then you will still make a great impression.  If they are then it will most likely result in a short connection or conversation. 

* Send thank you notes often for their giving and praying.  Buy some “thank you” stationary because you will be using it lots!

* Send quick text updates and invite people into your ministry world often.  

* Begin a prayer list that includes your supporters names and needs so you can be praying for them and also who God might lead to join your team in a long term capacity.  Ask them to send you prayer requests. 

* Invite your supporters’ input through email for your ministry and mission trip decisions.  Give them opportunities to speak into your decision making.  

Remember, a believer who has used 4-5 years to carefully create and cultivate a consistent team of people and asked them to invest into them prayerfully and financially  has set a pattern and precedent for supporter partnership and has a much better chance to be a future fully-funded missionary in a shorter amount of time than one who has randomly selected different supporters for each different mission trip they take.  With the latter, no consistency, no relationship, and no cultivation can happen as in the former.  As such, it does take intentional and careful work to build your team.  But it is a team that is not used and abused, but one that feels honored, appreciated, and will ultimately last.  

If your ministry organization’s staff are to effectively and efficiently raise support upon choosing to come on a support-only salary then they must think for cultivating a support base earlier than just when they decide to take that position.  They must be creating it, caring for it, and cultivating it years beforehand.  This begins by being faithful in smaller mission trips and stewarding support relationships well so that when the vocational mission comes along we have already built our team of faithful partners.  They need only to be harvested because all the gardening work of trust, faithfulness, and care has already been proven.    

Year End Gift

 The following is a list of reminders to keep in front of you as you challenge current or potential supporters to your annual or year end anchor team:

What: Invitation to partner with others for 2012 ministry goals and initiatives. 

1)  Consider motivating them by vision-driven initiatives rather than budget-driven deficits. (we want to encourage joyful givers and guard against giving from pity or guilt)

2)  Be honest with your need while being careful how you communicate it.  Consider challenging them to meet a positive dollar amount instead of just asking them to shore up a negative support deficit.  ie. Instead of saying, “Will you help us raise enough funds to cover our support deficit of $3,000?” Say, “We are trusting God to meet a $3000 goal to help us meet our growing family and ministry needs…Will you partner with us?”

Who: some current supporters, prayer partners, friends, families, past One Time givers

1)  Generate a list larger than your usual newsletter list.  Include family, friends, and even past givers.

2)  Be mindful to segment your list. Not everyone on your list would be honored or moved most effectively by a broad, end of the year appeal.  In fact, certain supporters might be moved to give more if you were to ask them personally or specifically to join a year-end anchor donor team or to meet a specific ministry/family need.  Give time to who you ask and how.

Why: to invite a broader support base during a traditionally more generous giving season

1)  To ensure a healthy support position at the start of a new year. 

2)  To increase a base of teammates who can partnering with us in our vision. 

When: get your requests in front of them in early November

1)  Have it be the first year end gift appeal they see

2)  Make sure to include a date on the appeal to ensure it gets processed in 2011 for tax purposes

How: include it in your personal support newsletter or on a separate card or attached sheet

1)  Be clear with your ask by explaining ministry initiatives or financial needs

2)  Include a self-addressed envelope with your year end appeal

3)  Provide information about how to give, when, where, and why (maybe a tear off slip)

4)  Send it in the mail

5)  Make it creative to set it apart from other appeals!

So, this is it.  We have given much time and effort to cultivate a potential ministry partner and it comes down to possibly the scariest point in the whole 5 part process - The follow-up phone call.  Sadly, some fundraisers will invest hours in finding someone’s contact info, writing them a letter, getting them on the phone, setting up a face to face appointment, making an Ask, sending a thank you, and then STOPPING.  What a shame to work all this time and not follow-through.  Finish strong and get closure with people.  

Here we are: “What’s the purpose? pt. 5: The follow-up phone call.”  They are expecting a call because you have set your self up by telling them it is coming first at the end of the of the appointment and then in your thank you.  So, give them what you committed to.  After your thank you has been there for a week or so.  Do not let more than 10 days pass before you call them or else your visit and challenge begins to be too far in the past to really remember.  Simply call them up and say, “Hi, Michael.  It’s Andrew.  How are you?  Well, I just wanted to thank you again for a chance to meet you last week and wanted to see if God had given you clarity about joining my financial and prayer support team for the ministry vision?”  THEN, BE QUIET.  Let them respond.  

Here are a couple of responses:

1.  ”Yes, we would love to at such and such an amount.”  (Great, ask them how they would like to sign-up: mail check, credit card, auto withdrawl.  Get them the appropriate material and walk them through the sign up process.  Confirm their prayer and financial commitment and send them another thank you)

2.  ”Not sure, I have not talked about it yet with the spouse.”  (In this case, ask them if you could call them in another 3-4 days to follow up.)

3.  No, we will not be supporting you at this time.” (In this case, there could be a number of reasons this might be the case.  But in any case, ask them if you can put them on your mailing list so they can be informed and pray for you.)

A couple or reminders:

* All prayer partners could become financial supporters in the future.  Keep them informed and shepherd them as part of your team for the future.  

* Be ready with sign up options for your organization.  Be informed on the process so you can lead the supporter through it.  Be ready to answer questions and you might even be able to fill out the pledge card for them or walk them through online sign-up. 

* If they decide to support you, then send them out another thank you letter right after you get off the phone. It will even remind them to sign up if they have not at that point.  

* Confirm all their personal information and make sure you have their email.  

We are continuing a series called, “What’s the purpose?”  It is so easy to get caught up in secondary issues in the support process and lose sight of the main and primary issue.  The goal to is to steward people’s lives and time well and to do it in an effective and efficient way.  So, let’s review:

1.  The purpose of the contact letter is to place a phone call.

2.  The purpose of the phone call is to set up an appointment.

3.  The purpose of the appointment is to make a support ask.  

4.  And today, the purpose of the follow-up thank you is to show thanks which acts to remind the potential supporter of your ASK.  

I keep a stack of thank you’s in my car for after the support appointment.  Right after an appointment I write the thank you, address it, and stamp and head right to the mailbox.  This ensures that my letter reaches my potential supporter in 2-3 days from when I initially met with them.  I have a couple of goals when I do this:

1.  I want them to know how grateful I am for there time and not just their support. I am merely thanking them for a chance to share with them.  Make this abundantly clear.

2.  As a result, it keeps my vision and ministry on the forefront of their minds and acts a  reminder of what I challenged them to consider giving and praying for my ministry.

3.  By writing a thank you it holds be accountable to actually call them when I said I would that is reinforced by the thank you letter.   

Here is an example of what I might say,

“Michael and Pam,

Thank you so much for the evening together and the good conversation.  It was so nice to meet your family and to get to know you better.  Thank you so much for my dinner and listening to me as I shared about reaching college students in the midwest about the gospel.  Thank you for praying through a $75/month donation.  I am honored to have you considering it and I will call you in a week to follow-up and how God may be leading your heart.

Sincerely, 

Andrew”

There it is.  Short and to the point.  Remember, “Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).  Be it a letter or an email, let them know how grateful you were to be able to share with them.  

Again, this is the first of two thank you’s in the process.  Next, we will complete our last “What’s the purpose?” in the next post, the follow-up phone call!

This is the third in a list of 5 parts of a fundraiser’s support process.  I am attempting to answer the most common questions and clear up the most common misconceptions most missionaries have when raising support.  The number one reason why missionaries leave the field is that they cannot get along with their team, but the number two reason is that they cannot keep and sustain a prayer and financial support team.  

In light of having many more opportunities to financially support than Sara and I are able to personally help, this is our way to help and resource the main body seeking to influence the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If we cannot support you financially, we are available to resource you.  

Therefore, rule #1 was: Never use a contact letter as a means for gaining financial support.  Remember, the letter is to do nothing more than inform generally and generate an opportunity for the phone call.  

And rule #2:  The purpose of the initial phone call is to secure a face - to - face appointment.  It is not primarily used to catch up, not to answer all their questions, not to ask for their support.  Its main purpose is to set a date that you can get face to face with them.  Your phone call is not to serve as a substitute for your one on one meeting, but a means to get you in their living room.  

Rule #3: The purpose of the appointment is for an ask.  Remember, you have worked extremely hard to get to this point so do not come away without having challenged to join your team.  To have had an appointment and then come away without asking is to have wasted this time.

WHAT?

The purpose of the meeting is to get them face-to-face with you and your mission.  The appointment is a context in which you can couch your challenge to them personally and convincingly.  It gives you their full attention to call them to partner with you in bringing God’s kingdom in fuller measure.  Remember, the meeting is the end to which the letter and phone call have been building.  Nothing can take the place of the appointment.  Simply defined, “the appointment is a face to face meeting in which the fundraiser clearly and convincingly shares his vision and invites the hearer to partner with them financially and prayerfully.”  

1.  It is an appointment which means that it is planned and is set in your potential supporters calendar.  Do not cheapen it by having is haphazardly or spur of the moment.  Be intentional with it.  

2.  It is face to face which means that your potential supporter can see you face and your countenance as you express your desire to them as you look them in the eye.  

3.  It is a clear and convincing casting of your vision. Plan what you will say, yet practice it enough that it does not feel canned. You have their attention for upwards of an hour so do not waste it.  Give it your best and take their questions as they come.  

4. It is a prayerful invitation.  Do not leave without having asked them to join you in your endeavor.  GIve them a chance to decide. Do not decide for them.  Do them the honor of giving them an opportunity at joining you at a sacrificial level.  

WHY?

We have support meetings that are personal and face to face because we want them to model our ministry strategy.  Just as we seek to share Jesus Christ personally and intimately over a lunch or coffee and give the person a chance to make a decision, so it is with support raising. We want to sit face to face with an individual and lay out the vision and ask them to consider supporting us.  Our ministry is relational and intentional and so should are support raising follow in a like manner!

WHEN?

We aim to meet them as soon as we can contact them with our follow-up phone call. We bring 3 different dates and times to the phone call and find out which appointment time might work best for them. The “when” is most easily answered by “whenever it most convenient for them.”  We are flexible to their schedules.

WHERE?  

Meeting them over lunch or at their home after dinner is usually the most convenient locations to meet a potential supporter.  You want it to be convenient and also a context where you can have their full attention. If its a meal make sure you offer to pay and also try to pick a less noisy restaurant.  The key is to get both of them if they are married and your willingness to come to them on their turf working within their schedule usually nets the most appointment opportunities.  

HOW?  -

The whole point to being face to face with a potential supporter is to make the ASK.  You want to get in a position to be able to say, “Will you consider giving to me and this vision for $$$/month?  How does that sound?” And then be quiet. Do not proceed to fill the silence with jib jab or try to remove awkwardness with qualifiers to your question. Give them the opportunity to respond to you.  Let them make a decision do not interrupt their time to talk with your rambling.  Let them decide.  Do not decide for them.   Everything during the appointment and the whole support process up to this point is to set up the ask.  So ASK.  If you do not ask then you have missed the purpose of the appointment. 

The appointment can be thought of as consisting of three parts:

1.  Inquire

2.  Inform

3.  Invite

First, Inquire.  Ask questions of your potential donor. Get to know them.  Spend some relational investment with them and take a interest in their life for their sake.  This sets a precedent for your relationship with them. Its not just about what they can do for you, but primarily a way for you to shepherd them. Give them a taste of the relationship that they are in for.  

Many times when you ask them questions they will ask the same one’s back and you can use that to transition into your presentation.  But if they do not ask you questions that you can use to transition you can always say, “I cannot thank you enough for having me over and letting me share. I am very excited to tell you a little about my ministry and vision.”  That can act as a transition line for your to jump in.  

Two, inform.  Take time to casually, yet systematically get your ministry vision (what), vehicle (who) , and venue (where) across.  You may use a presentation notebook or you may use a outline so that you can cover your information in a persuasive and conversational way without sounding like you are giving a speech.  Don’t just talk off the cuff, but really take some time to develop an informative word that will influence, have good illustrations, and provide good examples.  Work on it till it becomes natural and conversational as well as incorporating dialogue and not just monologue.  

One way to organize your thoughts is to remember the 7M’s:

1.  Me - give them your testimony or how you have been changed by the ministry.

2.  Mission - what is the mission statement of the ministry?

3.  Ministry - what are some of the distinctives of the ministry?

4.  Methodology - how do you accomplish your mission

5.  Map - where will you be ministering?

6.  Means - how will donors support and partner to make this happen

7.  Maintenance -how will the administration of the giving be handled.  

Three, Invite.  We are there to inquire and build relationship. We are there to Inform and influence with vision.  And then we are there to invite them to partner and anchor this vision down with support and prayer. Remember, they are crucial and they are expecting this so do not withhold from them. Remember what Paul said, “I do not see the gift, but the profit which increased to your account.”  See their joy and profit by asking. Invite them into the opportunity of a lifetime.  

This is the second in a list of 5 parts of a fundraiser’s support process.  I am attempting to answer the most common questions and clear up the most common misconceptions most missionaries have when raising support.  

In light of having many more requests to support than Sara and I are able to personally support this is our way to help and resource the main body seeking to influence the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If we cannot support you financially, we are available to resource you.  

Therefore, rule #1 was: Never use a contact letter as a means for gaining financial support.  Remember, the letter is to do nothing more than inform generally and generate an opportunity for the phone call.  

So, here is rule #2:  The purpose of the initial phone call is to secure a face - to - face appointment.  It is not primarily used to catch up, not to answer all their questions, not to ask for their support.  Its main purpose is to set a date that you can get face to face with them.  Your phone call is not to serve as a substitute for your one on one meeting, but a means to get you in their living room.  

During your phone call your potential supporter may try to give you money, but please use this as an opportunity to share more about your vision personally. There is such a difference in buy-in, ownership, and excitement if they can watch your face as opposed to just hearing you over the phone. There is a difference between hearing something from you from a distance, and a look them in the eye and challenge them to join your team after hearing your faith-filled vision and ministry.  Therefore, don’t let the phone call to serve as the actual meeting.  You might be excited to hear a supporter who wants to give, but you will often find that a phone call only nets a one time support gift as opposed to a full-time, consistent, full-time supporter who is one after a face to face meeting.  

Remember, the purpose of the phone call is to get with them face to face.  That is its end.  We want buy in, not as a telemarketer, but a friend and salesman that will bend over backwards to sell them on a personal visit and compelling vision.  Here are some things to remember:

1. Come to the phone call prayed  up and planned up:  Come with your calendar open and at least 3 dates and times to throw out to them. Give them specifics. Only after you have offered dates and times should you ask them to offer a workable time. Always be flexible to work around their schedule.  

2.  Call when it is convenient for people to answer.  Generally evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons is a great time to catch people.  Do not call after 9pm most of the time.  

3.  Confirm the time and date of your meeting with them before ending the call.  

4.  Do not leave continuous messages on their answering machine. Wait to talk to them. Again, do not put the ball on their court to get back to you.  It is your responsibility to initiate something with them.  The ball is always in your court!

5.  How do I transition?  The easiest way to transition the conversation to setting the appointment is asking, “Did you get my letter?”  If yes, ask them if there is a time when you can come over for 45 minutes or so and share more depth about how they can partner with you. If no, then simply and concisely explain what was in your support letter and ask them for a time when you may come over and explain more in depth. Either answer is okay. It makes for a great way to transition into the ask!

It is important to note in your letter and even in your call that you want to share with them more about how they could be a part of your ministry both prayerfully and financially.  This sets the tone for your meeting and sets their expectation for an ask by you and makes you accountable for giving one to them.

So, use your phone call well and get face to face with your potential supporter!

This answer is part of the 5 part series, What’s the Purpose?  It will focus on “What’s the Purpose behind your:

1.  Contact Letter

2.  The set-up phone call

3.  The face to face meeting

4.  The thank you note

5.  The follow-up phone call

This all started when I began receiving letters in the mail asking for support for a variety of good missionary causes from friends and acquaintances.  From some of them I had received multiple letters because the support process was not making much progress.  During this season, my wife and I decided to offer our resources, experience, and time to help those with support raising that we could not support personally. The following words are a collection of ideas that have been spurred by others’ questions, experiences, and misconceptions about support raising.   As I have reflected over the most common misconceptions it most often comes down to a support raisers understanding of the purpose for each part of the support process.  Offering direction here seems to provide a lot of help, direction, and set expectations for funding their particular ministry.

The 5 parts of a support strategy are only as effective as is the clearness of purpose for each part of the process.  Each part of the 5 step process is crucial to achieving the end goal.  Each one is not supposed to achieve the end goal directly, but indirectly.  Each one has its purpose to achieve and set up the next step in the process.

Therefore, rule number 1:

Never use a contact letter as a means for getting support.  Letters provide a means for informing and connecting, not asking.  People do not respond primarily to letters, but to people so do not let a letter stand in the place of a direct and personal ask.  Letters to not let you capitalize on your emotion, your personality, your relationship with the person, nor a conversation. They can seem impersonal and do not communicate personalization and care for a person, but just their finances.  A face to face appointment of the other hand communicates you have time for the other person and want them and not just what they can give you.

This is one of the most major misconceptions that I face when counseling and giving feedback to fund-raisers.  They misuse the letter for its purpose.  Its intention is to inform and set up an initial phone call. That’s all.  Nothing more and nothing less.  Now, its important because it is a first impression, but its sole purpose is to set up a phone call.  That is its primary purpose.  Do not try to make your letter a do it all, communicate all, cover everything, ask for money renaissance pamphlet.

Here are a couple of reminder:

1.  Keep it to one page

2.  Include a picture that is catchy and provides some color

3.  Your letter should comprise of three parts:

- Introduction- update them on this present season of life

- Information - inform them about your ministry vision and vehicle

- Invitation - invite them to partner with you

4.  Hand write a personal note at the bottom that communicates that you will be calling in one week to follow this letter up.

5.  Sometimes if you send a letter to someone who is close to you can make the relationship feel impersonal.  Only send a letter to those who you feel you cannot call on directly for your first contact (ie, sending a letter to close friends and family is not needed)

6.  Be clear that your intention is to contact them and follow-up with them about the opportunity for them to partner with you financially and prayerfully.

Again, your purpose is to follow-up not gain support out of it. You want supporters, not just support and this comes by the grace of God and for those who sink time into this process.  The role of the letter is to set up a phone call-Remember this!!

Each single support raising staff averages around 50 supporters to meet their monthly support goal (assuming $3000/month).  For every monthly supporter gained in the end takes a minimum of 2-3 potential supporter contacts on the front end.  Traditionally speaking, it takes about 150 names on the front end to carry about 50 supporters through the entire support process from beginning challenge letter to a face-to-face appointment.  Historically, fully funded missionaries are those that start with big name-storming lists.

Before one begins the support raising process it is helpful to complete an exercise to see if you have built enough contacts to begin the process.  If you have any less than 150 names it might be wise to begin cultivating relationships through church attendance, bible studies, retreats, clubs, sports teams, etc. before heading into the support process.

It is important to pursue references at the end of every meeting, but they cannot be depended upon for fulfilling most of a person’s support need.

Using the following list of relational categories as a guide please write down as many names as possible that you have connected with over your life. Do not ask the question, “Would they support me?” or “Would I ask them for support?” Simply write down names of people you know or have known.

- Family: parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, step-family, family friends, relatives, references,

- Social Networks: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Linked In, Plaxo contacts

- Sports/Clubs: coaches, teammates, friends, varsity, jv, grade school, Scout Leaders, Club teams

- School: college, high school, middle school, grade school, professors, teachers, administrators, fraternity/sororities, active community members, booster club members

- Churches: pastors, church staff, Sunday school teachers or classes, missions council, boards, deacons, elders, bible studies, prayer groups, mentors, disciples, directories

- Healthcare: doctor’s, dentist’s, orthodontist, dermatologists, Hair stylist,

- Neighbors: neighborhood residents, past neighborhood residents, country club members

- Workers: auto dealer, banker, mayor, grocery store workers, former employees or boss, Christian businessmen or women

This is very crucial especially since most supporters stop their funding because of lack of contact and information from their missionary.  Usually support maintenance is the first thing that gets knocked down on the to-do list when life gets busy so make some convictions and habits that can keep you in regular communication with them.

You must remember that part of your ministry and stewardship is the people that provide for you to be on the mission field.  They are not just a means to getting you fully funded but an end and beneficiary of all that God is doing in and through you. Your constant and steady informing and updating can also act as a stimulus for their own life. They receive and are challenged by prayer emails and newsletters to claim truths you claim, to share their faith as you do, and to pray more fervently.  In addition to being challenged, here are a few other benefits to updating supporters:

1.  Supporters are given exposure to gospel truth and ministry experiences through a real life example.  They are given practical’s to think on and apply themselves.

2.  Supporters are friends and people and the more contexts to interact the more they feel valued, respected, and needed.

3.  Supporter’s prayer lives can be bolstered and your efforts can be helped by a steady stream of prayer by the saints.

4.  Each interaction also acts as a subtle reminder to give and pray for you.  ”Out of sight out of mind” is really true here.

5. It increases your own awareness and neediness upon other Christians for your work.  Informing and updating supporters causes us to reckon with our own dependence upon others and Christ for ministry fruit.

6. We hold our end of the deal by fulfilling commitments to inform, answer, update, and give them personal attention.  They make commitments to us and we should fulfill our commitments to them.

7.  They are given a forum and chance to respond with their own prayer requests and questions. Often they just need an opportunity to voice them.

If we truly want to supporters to partner with us for the truth (3 John 7, 8) then here a few practical’s in which we can aim to help cultivate this type or relationship:

1 Summer picture postcard that serves as a ministry focus.

1 Christmas card or Christmas gift to show them your appreciation.

4 Newsletters per year to serve as updates

12 emails per year to inform with specific prayer requests (monthly)

1 face to face meeting every 2-3 years by personal visit or a drop-in function

Support Question:  How much, if any, and when should a missionary raise one time gifts as part of their support raising strategy?

It is necessary from the very beginning to raise one time gift if one is to devote full time to their support raising stint.  The need to have money to cover start up costs is crucial.  Gas money, food money, living expenses, and support materials will really add up and unless you have money to draw on you will cut corners.  Without sufficient funds you will not take long trips to assure face to face appointments, but will call or email instead.  You will no longer pay for your potential supporters meals but will only pay for your own.  You might even start to devote less time to support raising when you are forced to get a part time job and thus further your delay of getting to your mission field.

Your first support appointments should not only involve monthly challenges, but also start-up cost challenges. A simple one time gift ask (even a $50 or $100 check) per appointment should be enough to keep you going. Even having a specific supporter help offset costs with a lump sum one time gift is an option.  Simply ask them for a one time gift to help you pay for gas, travel, support materials, and meals while you are on the road.

Having start-up costs will keep you motivated, give you ample time, and Lord willing, get you to your mission field sooner!