Ministry Partner Development: How to Raise Support for Summer Project Destino @ Texas A&M Summer 2011 Raising Support Ministry Partner Development can be one of the scariest parts of going on a summer project. “Where in the world am I going to get $4,000 for this trip?” But it also represents one of the biggest ways that you can grow in your faith. Sandi Ireland always says, “It’s never about the money, its always about what God wants to do in your heart.” This is so true. God is concerned with seeing you grow in your ability to trust Him and provide. After all, He “owns the cattle on a thousand hills”, He’s got all the money in the world. Our job in Ministry Partner Development is to take the initiative in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results to God. It is our responsibility to work hard, it is His responsibility to provide the ministry partners we need for summer project. You’ll notice that we don’t call it “fundraising”. There is a reason for that. We aren’t after people’s money, we’re giving them an opportunity to join with us in ministry. They are making an investment. Think about it, probably many of the people you send a letter will want to go on your trip with you, they just can’t. By giving financially it is like, in God’s eyes, they are getting on the plane with you and doing ministry right next to you. You are not begging for money. You are sharing an opportunity with them to be involved in what God is doing around the world. Don’t be ashamed. Many people will even thank you for asking! Writing Letters How It Works Writing letters is the single most effective way of developing your ministry partner team. Some of you will see all the people you need join your team this way. Others will get a majority. The process is simple but requires work on your part. Your main resource in this area will be the website, http://mpd.uscm.org 1: Namestorm To start out you want to think of at least 100-150 people that you can send a letter to and invite to join your ministry team. Spend time praying to God that He will cause the right people to come to your mind. Then start brainstorming names (or “namestorming”) until you have 100 people (with addresses and phone numbers). Don’t make a judgment now about whether someone will give or not, write their name down. 2: Write Next you need to write your letter. In the letter you will want to catch them up on what you’ve been doing lately, share about your trip this summer, and invite them to partner with you in ministry. An example letter is attached to this packet and more are available on http://mpd.uscm.org Finish your letter and send a copy to a staff person to proof-read and suggest any changes. 3: Mail Once you have your letter ready to go you will want to mail merge them with your names and addresses and get them in the mail. The http://mpd.uscm.org website will help you with the mail merge. If you have your letters in the mail by February 28th we’ll pay the postage for you. 4: Call A week after you put your letters in the mail you will begin making followup calls to see what people have decided. This is the most important part of the process. People will not call you, they will forget you sent them a letter (even if they meant to join your team and give financially). You need to call every single person you sent a letter to. Some people will decide they can’t give financially this summer. Thank them for their consideration on the phone. Others will want to send money. Have them make the check out to “The Destino Movement” and get it to you as soon as possible. 5: Thank For those who do decide to give financially, thank them when you talk on the phone and then you will want to send them a thank-you card in the mail after you receive their gift. This lets them know that you appreciate them joining your ministry partner team. Timeline Here is the timeline that you need to follow in order to make sure you have all the ministry partners you need before your trip: Letters Mailed Start Making Calls Fri, 2/28 Fri, 3/7 Do Other Idea Spring Break Do Other Idea Sat, 4/1 Sat, 4/15 Sat, 5/1 Sat, 5/21 Go To Summer Project Fri, 6/3 Other Ideas for MPD Car Wash BBQ Plate Dinner Garage Sale “Sell a Goat” Game Poker Night Bucket Brigade Recycle Printer Cartridges Recycle Phones Hispanic Chamber Go to Business es Cook Pupusas Talk to Missi ons Committee at C hurch Talk to Pastor /Priest http://www.flickr.com/photos/llawliet/2547595587/