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I. Working your current network of relationships.
You may be among the many missionary fundraisers that have not spoken to everyone in your own circle of influence to join you on the journey as a partner. NOW is the time. The average funeral has 200 people in attendance. My guess is that an average missionary would have more since they are by profession more connected, relational, and giving. We will use 200 as a beginning target for you to list. Make a list of 200 people you know by name and they know your name. You can always expand that list. I've done a list of 2000+ but some of those were descriptions of people, not people that we knew each other by name. (Ex: the guy who delivers my mail.) From those who you know by name, some very well, the majority of your support will likely come. Don't discount anyone on the list. You may think they don't have money, or have no interest in missions, etc., but you don't KNOW that and you may be very surprised as you are faithful in asking who may support you. After you come up with your list of 200+ then it is time to contact them to set up a time to share. We suggest this simple three phase approach: Tip: Pray for Favor! "For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:12 "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17 #1. Give them a call to confirm their address and let them know you are sending them a letter or card to let them know what you are doing, and you will get back to them to hopefully set up a time to get together with them. #2. Send them a letter, including a recent newsletter.
"Dear *********: Grace and peace to you in Jesus name! Thank you in advance for your time and attention in hearing my heart regarding the work the Lord has led us into. *Share short paragraph of your history* Ex: After 20+ years of full time pastoral ministry in Rockford, IL., the Lord moved on our hearts to go into full time missions work. In 2006 we left Rockford, and formally joined YWAM, Youth With a Mission. Our first assignment was a year in Fiji preparing and being part of a major evangelistic campaign call IWT - Impact World Tour. By God's goodness and grace we saw 17,000+ young people give their lives over to Jesus. *Share short paragraph on your current and future plans* Ex: We will be relocating to New Zealand in 2008 and joining the Asia-Pacific YWAM/IWT Leadership team there to help facilitate campaigns in that region. We will also be partaking in the IHOP - International House of Prayer in Tauranga, NZ. We would love the opportunity to share with you more fully how the Lord is leading us right now so that you can be informed in order to prayfully consider partnering with us on this journey. We are building a team of givers and prayers to fulfill the part of the Great Commission that He has for us. We will call in a few days to simply ask for an hour of your time to get together at your convenience. We highly value your time and how the Lord speaks to you, and simply want to get more information into your hands to consider our request. Blessings, Curt Johnson 815-918-4304 http://www.johnsfamilymissions.org"
Sample Phone script: "Hi Joe, This is Curt Johnson with YWAM. I trust you got my letter. Do you have an hour sometime in the next few days so we can get together? Let me know, I am at 888-888-8888. Thanks. Goodbye." Leave this message anywhere from 3 to 5 times roughly once a week depending upon your comfort level. If you catch them live, simply set up the appointment. Try not to get into a conversation regarding your work over the phone. If they don't want to get together, thank them anyway and ask permission to put them on your mailing lists. You do want to stop calling and "chasing" eventually though. If you keep getting voice mail, leave a "final" message something like this: "Hi Joe, This is Curt Johnson with YWAM. I WON'T BE CALLING AGAIN SOON. I'll assume you too busy to get together right now. My number is 888-888-8888. Hopefully we can connect again in the future when things aren't as hectic for you. Goodbye." You don't want to "burn bridges" or have them get sick of you as a pest. Simply accept the timing isn't right for whatever reason, and that this is a potential supporter for down the road sometime. Once in a while you will be pleasantly surprised in this type of "take-away" phone message. They will call you back and apologize for not getting back to you, and they do want to support you. Your "final" call is what will finally push you to a higher priority for them to take care of :-) *Put them on your newsletter mailing list. *Put them in ACT, or your contact management system for a call in a year or so. |