Crossroads
Support Raising Manual
INTRODUCTION
This manual is designed to be an effective tool in raising a support team for the eleven-month Master’s Commission program. It can also be used for a longer commitment as a full-time Crossroads Ministries International staff member. We encourage all to:
1. Seek God with all your heart in the Word and prayer.
2. Apply the principles that are in this manual.
3. Know that you are called to the Master’s Commission program or Crossroads Ministries staff position, then you can be guaranteed success.
God is faithful and will complete the work He has begun in you. Get ready for an exciting and fulfilling journey of gathering partners in ministry (financial, prayer and/or volunteer) who will cultivate life-long friendships and accomplishments as you link together to fulfill God’s calling in your life
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE #
- BIBLICAL BASIS OF PERSONAL SUPPORT RAISING 3
- ROLE OF PRAYER 5
- DEVELOP STRATEGY 8
- HOME CHURCH 11
- MAKING APPOINTMENTS 12
- THE VISIT 14
- THANK-YOU 18
- RECORD OF PROSPECT 20
- HOW TO EXPAND CONTACTS 21
- PRAYER LETTER 23
- TRACK SUPPORT 26
- CULTIVATE SUPPORT 27
A BIBLICAL BASIS FOR PERSONAL SUPPORT RAISING
The Bible is full of examples of personal support from Genesis throughout the entire New Testament. We will look at a few examples then conclude with some principles gained by studying the scriptures.
Genesis 14:20 is the first record in the Bible of a follower who gave back to the Lord through one of the Lord’s servants (a person who had ministered to the follower). This occurred when Abraham gave one tenth of all he owned to Melchizedek, who had ministered to him. It is also written in Hebrew 7:2-6. The principle of one believer funding another is clearly revealed.
In Exodus 2:5-7, people went out and made an appeal to raise a contribution for God from every person. And, those whose hearts were moved, gave. This was not an appeal for a tithe as in the first example, but a request for a freewill offering or contribution.
The next example is the support for the Levites. The Levites were called out to live their lives totally dedicated to God’s service. For a person to raise support, he or she must have a sense of being called-out for the service they will be doing (see Numbers 18:21 & Numbers 35). The Levites were totally supported by the people.
Nehemiah asked for the necessary funds from a pagan king to accomplish the Lord’s work (Nehemiah 2:1-8). He was given all that he needed. Therefore, we have a Biblical principle for approaching a non-Christian to support the Lord’s work.
Let’s look at the example of Jesus: Jesus tells Peter and Andrew to, “Follow me, leave your nets” (Matthew 4:18-20). Then they left their nets and began to fish full-time for men. We read the same thing of James and John in Matthew 4:21-22. An additional example is in Matthew 9:9, where Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector.
Matthew 10:1-15 (esp. verse 9-11) shows Jesus giving instructions to his disciples to take nothing on their journey and to trust God to provide for their needs. Jesus clearly exhorted believers in those cities to rise up and meet the needs of those that were in full-time ministry.
Jesus’ disciples, having no other profession, had all their needs met (Luke 22:35). When Jesus asked if they lacked anything they declared, “nothing.” The disciples received all their support from individuals as they traveled. Our culture is different from theirs. Today, people are more accustomed to giving money rather than opening their homes (and tables) to strangers.
Continuing on in Luke 22:22-36, we find the verse, “If they had money they were instructed to take it along with them.” This is different than the earlier passages in which they were told to take nothing. In Acts 10:1, Cornelius gave generously to those in need. Luke 8:1-3 is an account of individuals who supported Jesus’ needs. There are many Biblical examples of individuals (Barnabas and Cornelius) who gave to specific needs and to churches.
Again in Luke 10:1-16, Jesus sends out the 70 with no purse. They were to totally depend upon God to move through people to meet their needs.
The Apostle Paul was a tent maker who preached once a week until Silas and Timothy came along (Acts 18:1-5). He appears to have left his trade for a season to preach the gospel full-time. According to ancient Jewish tradition, it was improper for a Rabbi to receive money for his teaching. Paul, as a Jewish Rabbi, practiced tent making while preaching in the synagogues. However, when taken by the Spirit to a broader ministry among the Gentiles, he is seen receiving, taking and asking for money (II Corinthians 11:7-9, I Cor. 9, II Cor. 11:5-9, Romans 15:24 and Phillipians 4).
Philippians 4 points out that Paul was supported financially by the church of Phillipi, and that this was well pleasing to God. Thus, we can conclude that tent making was a product of his circumstances and Jewish tradition, though not a principle of his. It is not unrealistic to assume that Paul was involved in tent making for only 10-20 percent of his ministry. The balance of Paul’s ministry was supported by various individuals and churches.
Three top reasons why raising personal support has a Biblical basis:
1. Those who give are involved in the ministry and receive the benefits of that ministry (III John 8).
2. Galatians 6:6 says, “Let the one who is taught the Word share all good things with those who teach them.” Those who are taught the Word share back to the minister.
3. The Bible has many examples of individuals and churches supporting missionaries based out of local churches. (Paul, Peter, all of Jesus disciples and many others).
THE ROLE OF PRAYER IN SUPPORT RAISING
“Pray without ceasing.” —1 Thes. 5:17
Prayer activates a powerful God. It unleashes His resources to accomplish His purpose. Prayer shows how inadequate we are and brings a heart full of praise back the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Pray that the Lord will work above our strategies.
Strategies are necessary when raising support. God can work throughout strategies but He is not tied to them.
“God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Eph 3:20)
Work as if it all depends on you. Pray as if it all depends on God.
Pray for new prospects!
Pray that God will permit you to make contacts and gain favor with key people.
Pray specifically for the amount of money you need to raise.
In your prayers, list the names of those you would like to meet.
Thank God in advance for His help in meeting these people.
Pray for the right words.
Ask God’s words to flow through you.
Pray for Donors’ Needs
1. Develop your own strategy for praying for each supporter.
2. Keep a photo album or some kind of chart of your supporters.
3. Make praying for donors a regular part of your daily devotional.
4. In your prayer letters ask supporters to send you their specific prayer requests.
Always remember that you are praying for people with needs. You may be God’s chosen person to minister to them. Listen to them, pray for them, and most of all, love them.
Pray for Boldness
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth , words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” (Eph 6:19)
Pray for God’s Guidance and Blessing
The ministry is not a happenstance ministry. Just as surely as God calls a person to minister to a certain country, He also has certain individuals that He selects to support your ministry.
The Prayer Support Needed by the Missionary
We are in a spiritual battle, and spiritual battles need spiritual weapons.
Prayer is one of the main weapons.
“Our struggle is not against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12).
Pray that barriers may be minimized. Pray that the Lord will keep His servants faithful in His Word and safe from the attacks of the enemy.
Pray for discernment in time and scheduling. The missionary must be wise in deciding what tasks God has called him to perform. Pray also for needed rest and relaxation. Find energy and encouragement in your daily prayer times.
Pray that God will lead you to prepared hearts.
Pray faithfully. Select a regular time to pray for yourself and other missionaries. Devise a prayer schedule. Include weekly prayer coverage over your supporters and new prayer requests. For additional encouragement read “The Fourth Dimension” by David Yonggi Cho.
Recruit a Prayer /Advisory Group
What is it?
A group of key partners committed to pray for the ministry. Special prayer cards should be sent out to them! Special ministries should be planned for them (phone calls, books, tapes, Christmas presents etc.)
DEVELOP A SUPPORT STRATEGY
Before raising your financial support, you must develop a general strategy. A plan to find supporters starts with the conviction that God has already chosen those people to support you. As you follow His direction, He will lead you to people whose hearts are willing and who able to support you. Consider two principles:
PRINCIPLE 1: People give to people they know, trust and care for.
PRINCIPLE 2: The key to raising support successfully is to contact people in the most personal and practical way possible.
The primary focus for raising your support must be one-on-one visits. In our high tech age, Christians need to be in close touch with supporters.
When you start raising your support, apply the first principle. Systematically identify whom you will target - the people who already know you, trust you, and care about you. Those individuals become your audience and the foundation on which you will build your support strategy. Then apply principle 2. Systematically meet one-on-one with as many people as is possible and is practical.
DETERMINE WHO TO GO TO FOR SUPPORT
Looking for prospective supporters is an ongoing process, not a one-time function!
Compile a Prospective List of at least 200, including the following people:
1) Church Contacts - Current and Past
2) Relatives - Parents, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, Children, Aunts/Uncles, Cousins, Nieces/Nephews, Others
3) Neighbors
4) School Contacts - Grade School through College
5) Employment or previous employment
6) Service Contacts
7) Friends
8) Contacts from your Mission, your Bible studies or your fellowship groups
9) Friends from Other Missions
10) Club and Civic Group Contacts
As you develop your prospective list, pray for the people on it. Ask for the Lord to bring to mind the names of those you need to contact. After you have compiled your list, invite a friend or relative to review it. Ask if he or she can think of other names to add.
Here’s a system you can use to get started. Get two file boxes for 3x5 or 4x6 index cards, at least 300 cards and 5 dividers per box. Sit down, right now, and start writing a list of at least 200 names. These do not have to be people with an abundance of money. They only have to be people you know.
As you transfer each name to a 3x5 card, try to find their phone number and address. Use the dividers to make four sections in your file box. Section 1-High priority contacts (people most likely to meet with you), Section 2-Medium priority, Section 3-Low priority. The fourth category can be for those you haven’t gotten phone numbers or addresses for, yet.
The second file box is for those contacts you’ve been able to get in touch with. In this box, make some categories like:
1. appointment set (always write time and date on card)
2. appointment kept, thank-you not sent
3. appointment kept, thank-you has been sent
4. call back next week
5. add to ministry partner list
Do whatever it takes to keep organized. When you get the 5 to 10 contacts from each appointment make cards for them. (It is best to contact them within a week of the referral). Write the name of the person who referred you on the new contact’s card.
BEGIN WITH MY HOME CHURCH
Contacting your Pastor
The purpose: By contacting your pastor first, you recognize him as a spiritual leader and seek his approval before proceeding to enlist support from individuals in your church.
Here are five goals for your meeting with the pastor:
1) Share your vision with your pastor.
2) Explain your need to raise support.
3) Find out if you can speak to some individuals you know in the church.
4) Identify ways to present your ministry to the church.
5) Ask your pastor to introduce you to additional contacts - both inside and outside your church.
God will direct your ministry and provide in surprising ways in the days ahead. Take specific notes when you meet with your pastor and follow up on every suggestion that he may make.
MAKING APPOINTMENTS
The goal of each phone call is to only make an appointment with a prospective donor (not get support).
PREPARATION
1) Precede each call with prayer.
2) Plan to call first those people whom you believe will be most receptive.
3) Assume that the prospective donors want to meet with you, and give them a choice. Follow the old sales adage, “Don’t ask “if”, ask “when”.
4) Practice prior to your call. It may be helpful to write out what you want to say and keep it in front of you as you speak on the phone.