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Get a Support Team!
Present Your Vision and Raise Up Partners
for Prayer and Financial Support
At one mission agency's candidate orientation, a more mature couple that had been in their sending church for many years arrived with their support completely raised. It had taken a mere two months to complete the process. Others were amazed and asked them how they had been able to raise their support in such a short time frame. "Actually, it took 20 years," they said, referring to the fact that the relationships had been unknowingly cultivated long before it was time to begin support raising.
Most likely you will be serving with a mission agency that requires you to raise both prayer and financial support. Those who will serve with an agency that does not require personal support raising can still learn from the principles of communication and partnership in this section.
Three major Christian ministry heroes represent three distinct approaches to the fundraising process.
God has historically supplied the needs of people who have used each of these methods. Perhaps you are inclined to one of these approaches. You may need to ask God how He would have you approach the process. Regardless of the method, let's examine important principles to remember in the fundraising process.
Partnership development (support raising) is a part of your ministry, rather than a necessary evil that precedes your ministry. You have an important discipleship relationship with your supporters.
God is your ultimate source of support. If you understand that all of your support comes from God, then you’ll be free to communicate broadly, confidently, and passionately about His desire to be glorified in all nations. Let God do His work in the hearts and checkbooks of your prospective supporters. You do your part in communicating your vision for your part of the Great Commission well. The common key to each of those three support raising models is an abundant quantity and quality of communication.
Relationships are foundational in support raising. This need not mean that everyone you approach for support must be an intimate friend. It does mean that usually some level of relationship must be present, or develop, in the fundraising process.
Communication is key. Tailor your communication and appeal to your audience. Important to effective communication are the following:
Getting started
How do you develop your initial “mailing list” (while acknowledging that email and web-based media is becoming the standard)? Consider these categories. More are included in HERE to THERE.
Secure third party endorsements and participation in the process. For example, a letter from your pastor to other like-minded pastors or pastors’ fellowships in your area is usually helpful. People in your small group can write and design elements of your presentation, or assemble promotional packets for distribution. You may have friends who can help you create or improve aspects of your media presentations, including PowerPoint, displays, video, photography, blogs, brochures, newsletters, email distribution and phone contacts.
How long should this support raising process take?
Like many projects, your results tend to correlate with the amount of time and effort you invest. In God’s providence, some people will be better resourced to raise support quickly.
If you are able to devote full time to partnership development and if you have tangible assistance from others for support raising, you should expect to spend 6-12 months in the process. Putting thoughtful and creative work into developing excellent materials and presentations before you begin the fundraising process will help tremendously.
If you are not able to devote full time to partnership development and if you do not have tangible assistance from others, you may be among those spending 24-36 months in the process.
Get to work! You absolutely should not expect bags of money to fall from heaven. But if it does happen, give God all the glory (it’s not because you are so special). You pray. You do the part for which you are responsible. God will do His work in ways exceedingly, abundantly beyond all you could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21).
***** Did you know that Jesus was supported? *****
Questions for reflection:
Resources are included in the book, HERE to THERE
Most likely you will be serving with a mission agency that requires you to raise both prayer and financial support. Those who will serve with an agency that does not require personal support raising can still learn from the principles of communication and partnership in this section.
Three major Christian ministry heroes represent three distinct approaches to the fundraising process.
- D.L. Moody prayed, informed people of needs, and asked for funds directly.
- J. Hudson Taylor prayed and informed people of needs.
- George Muller prayed.
God has historically supplied the needs of people who have used each of these methods. Perhaps you are inclined to one of these approaches. You may need to ask God how He would have you approach the process. Regardless of the method, let's examine important principles to remember in the fundraising process.
- Partnership development (support raising) is a part of your ministry.
- God is your ultimate source of support.
- Relationships are foundational in support raising.
- Communication is key.
Partnership development (support raising) is a part of your ministry, rather than a necessary evil that precedes your ministry. You have an important discipleship relationship with your supporters.
God is your ultimate source of support. If you understand that all of your support comes from God, then you’ll be free to communicate broadly, confidently, and passionately about His desire to be glorified in all nations. Let God do His work in the hearts and checkbooks of your prospective supporters. You do your part in communicating your vision for your part of the Great Commission well. The common key to each of those three support raising models is an abundant quantity and quality of communication.
Relationships are foundational in support raising. This need not mean that everyone you approach for support must be an intimate friend. It does mean that usually some level of relationship must be present, or develop, in the fundraising process.
Communication is key. Tailor your communication and appeal to your audience. Important to effective communication are the following:
- Clarity of vision and goals
- The more personal, the better
- Frequency and repetition of key points
- Warmth and rapport
- Real-life testimonials and anecdotes
- Specific data and action points
- Visual elements complement and enhance verbal and written elements
Getting started
How do you develop your initial “mailing list” (while acknowledging that email and web-based media is becoming the standard)? Consider these categories. More are included in HERE to THERE.
- Your “Christmas card” friends
- Fellow believers from your university
- Your church family (if allowed by your church’s policies)
- Your small group Bible study
- Your past or present community teams or clubs
- Churches in your home church’s network, fellowship, or denomination
- Churches committed to reaching your target people group
- Christian nationals from your target country
- People with whom you have served in ministry
Secure third party endorsements and participation in the process. For example, a letter from your pastor to other like-minded pastors or pastors’ fellowships in your area is usually helpful. People in your small group can write and design elements of your presentation, or assemble promotional packets for distribution. You may have friends who can help you create or improve aspects of your media presentations, including PowerPoint, displays, video, photography, blogs, brochures, newsletters, email distribution and phone contacts.
How long should this support raising process take?
Like many projects, your results tend to correlate with the amount of time and effort you invest. In God’s providence, some people will be better resourced to raise support quickly.
If you are able to devote full time to partnership development and if you have tangible assistance from others for support raising, you should expect to spend 6-12 months in the process. Putting thoughtful and creative work into developing excellent materials and presentations before you begin the fundraising process will help tremendously.
If you are not able to devote full time to partnership development and if you do not have tangible assistance from others, you may be among those spending 24-36 months in the process.
Get to work! You absolutely should not expect bags of money to fall from heaven. But if it does happen, give God all the glory (it’s not because you are so special). You pray. You do the part for which you are responsible. God will do His work in ways exceedingly, abundantly beyond all you could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21).
***** Did you know that Jesus was supported? *****
Questions for reflection:
- What words describe your attitude about support raising?
- Research how ministry was supported in the New Testament? e.g. – Did you know that Jesus was supported? (see Luke 8:1-3)
Resources are included in the book, HERE to THERE