Mark's Blog

Most people hate to raise money for any reason. Some will do it for charities they believe in, but few want to do it when they appear to be the beneficiary as is the case with raising funds for a short-term mission trip.

This personal fear may be the chief reason why many Christians do not participate in short-term missions. Their churches do not fund it, nor do they themselves have the resources. They simply refuse to ask other people for contributions to their mission trip.  The result is not what anyone wants: mission calls go unanswered, and we do not share in the blessing of advancing the Kingdom of God.

First, I want to offer some different ways of thinking about fund-raising that may help you.

1. The money you raise is not for you. The money you raise is to benefit those you will share your faith with. Very few of us would be embarrassed to go door to door in our neighborhoods to raise funds if our neighbor’s house burned down with all their possessions. We can do this because it is obvious that it is for others.  The same is true of short-term missions: if we are going to those in danger of dying without knowing Christ, it is just simply not about us!
2. People are greatly blessed by giving to the cause of Christ. So is it really more blessed to give than to receive? If it is, then with fund-raising, we are giving people an opportunity to be blessed. Each year we have workers who report that someone got mad at them because they were NOT asked to contribute to the mission project.
3. Fund-raising is often the first step of faith in a short-term mission project. For many, the first step is the hardest; as usual, the first step is extraordinarily affirming of God’s call once it has been taken.  In LST, we even encourage the workers who can easily pay their own way to raise funds just to increase their faith in God’s providence.

Quickly now, I want to list the obvious steps in successful fund-raising. Then we will get to the secrets!

1. Ask and you will receive.
2. The more people you ask, the quicker you will get your funds.
3. Don’t stop until you have reached your goal.

Here are the real tips I have to offer, however, that many people don’t know.

1. No one will give to you, if there is any doubt about your going. You cannot raise any funds if you even hint at the attitude of “if I raise the money, then I will go.”  No commitment, no funds.
2. The more personal the request, the more likely you are to receive a positive response. Letters bring a 10% response and small amounts. Phone calls and personal conversations result in 60-80% response and larger amounts contributed.
3. People that give to you once may be willing to give again. People give out of their available cash, so if they have cash in January, they will more available in March. If you still have a need, they may give again—so ask them.
4. People give more if they feel the need is urgent. Use your fund-raising deadlines to help donors feel that urgency. Do not give up as you get close to your final deadline; rather, let your potential donors know how critical it is to get your funds before the deadline.
5. Don’t assume you will get it all from what appears to be an obvious source. That includes your home church, your rich uncle, or anyone else.  Part of the faith experience is learning that God provides in ways that often surprise us.  The people we think have money give us $25 dollars and the poor widow gives us $500.

Fund raising will grow your faith in God. Don’t  be too proud to be improved. Lord, I believe that—but help my unbelief.