Support Raising Ideas Article

This is an excellent article used with permission by Dr. Ken Williams. His thoughts on missionary fund raising concur with the training provided in this web site.

FIFTY WAYS TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO PARTNERS IN THE MINISTRY

Ken Williams, Ph.D.

1. Write a personal letter or postcard.

2. Send very short, personal e-mails that obviously relate specifically to them.

3. Give them a call, just to find out how they are doing and what you can pray for.

4. Write personal notes on your prayer letters.

5. Have your children write notes.

6. Send short, handwritten “love notes” at times rather than formal letters.

7. Send pictures (real photographs) often of you, your family and your ministry.

8. Pray for them regularly and let them know.

9. Demonstrate caring by listening well and entering into their joys and struggles, rather than expecting to share yours atevery opportunity.

10. Send an audio cassette with news and greetings from you and your children.

11. Ask them about th eir personal needs.

12. Give or send them gifts. Give gifts that can be used in the home, such as bread baskets, place mats, hand towels, or personal items such as a nice broach. Gifts handmade by you are very appreciated.

13. Offer to help them in practical ways when you’re with them.

14. Send birthday cards. Make them by hand or on your computer if possible.

15. Keep a list of their family and personal issues, and refer to them from time to time.

16. Spend time with them. Short visits are usually better than long ones.

17. Show personal interest in their children: give them gifts, ask about them, pray for them and communicate it, spend time withthem when you’re visiting, write to them personally, send them fun and/or interesting post cards. Send $ gifts to those in college.

18. Invite them to visit you at your assignment (if you really mean it).

19. Send them a video of your lives and work.

Here are a few ways of saying “Thank you” in personal letters. These are far more powerful and meaningful if they are communicated personally, rather than in a printed letter. Shareonly what you can truthfully say.

20. “Thank you so much for your gift last month.” (It doesn’t sound very creative but people love to hear it!)

21. “We never get tired of thanking you for your generous support/part in our lives.”

22. “How can we adequately express our sincere gratitude...?”

23. “We often pray for you and thank God for your part in our work.”

24. “You are a continual source of joy and encouragement to us as you pray and give so faithfully.”

25. “Wonder if you realize that you’ve faithfully supported us for ___ years.”

26. “Each time your gift comes we realize that your prayers back it up. That is such an encouragement.”

27. “The Lord overwhelms us with joy through your faithfulness to us.”

28. “As Paul said to his partners in Philippi, your gifts are ‘a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.’”Other verses to quote include Phil. 1:3-5, 1:8, 4:17,19; Col. 1:3; 1 Thess. 1:2-3, 2:19-20.

29. “Your prayers and gifts often cause us to praise God for His goodness.”

30. “Every time our statement comes and we find your gift we stop and thank the Lord for you.”

31. “You’re a vital/important/critical part of our lives and ministry.”

32. “We appreciate your friendship and partnership so much.”

33. “Often we are reminded of how precious our friends are. And you’ve come to mean so very much to us. We love you.”

34. “We feel such gratitude to the Lord for the way he touches your hearts to be a part of this ministry. You are so important to us!”

35. “As I write my heart is filled with gratitude for all you mean to us.”

36. “Thank you that you care for us so much and show it so beautifully. We really feel your love.”

37. “Whenever the Lord uses us in some special way we’re reminded that you are a part of it.”

38. “Your prayers do make a difference in our lives and work. And your faithful support is so helpful and encouraging. We hopeyou know what a joy you are to us.”

39. Your faithfulness to the Lord and to us brings us tremendous joy.

40. “We love you, and are so grateful for your loving partnership.”

41. “We’re so glad that the Lord brought you into our lives.”

42. “Without you and the others supporting us it wouldn’t be possible to serve Him in this task.”

43. “May the Lord richly repay you for your generous part in this work.”

44. “You are truly partners with us in this work.”

45. “Isn’t it good to know that God is producing lasting fruit through our mutual partnership?”

46. “In heaven you’ll meet many dear people who have come to Christ partly because of our partnership in helping get the gospel to them.”

47. “As Hebrews 6:10 says, ‘God is not so unjust as to overlook your work, and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.’”

48. “We know that you are sacrificing to give so generously to our work, and we deeply appreciate it.”

Here are ideas for those who give once or occasionally.

49. “Your gift met an immediate need we have right now. We used it for... ”

50. “The Lord must have touched your heart to give, as He knows our needs right now.”

51. (This one is free!) “Your generous gift came right at a time when we were praying that the Lord would meet our needs, and He answered our prayers through you.”
© 2000 Ken Williams

International Training Partners, Inc.

E-mail: Itpartners@earthlink.net

Web site: www.RelationshipSkills.com

Permission Granted to Copy for Nonprofit Use