Raising funds can be challenging, but we’re here to help. First, download the following Sample Invitation Letter and then continue reading below for instructions on how to customize this letter and use it as you raise funds for your Global Road Trip.
Be very careful when you share with people the opportunity before you. What you ask for is very likely what you will get. Do you want to ask people to throw a few bucks your way and then go on with their unchanged lives? Or do you want to invite them to join you in serving God and His Kingdom? You can get a check or you can gain a partner. The difference is clear. When you write people to share your opportunity you want to engage them in the cause you are excited about. Try something like the sample on the back of this page. Don’t follow it exactly but use it for ideas. The parts highlighted in red are written as if you were going to Russia. Just add in the correct information for your mission opportunity.
The second paragraph of the Sample Invitation letter connects you with CRI. That section is important because you are connected. You are as much a part as anyone that works on staff, volunteers, or gives to the cause. Even if you are brand new to the ministry you have already taken a major step in showing your interest in helping to reclaim resources for God’s purposes. You must be sold on that cause because you have chosen to be a part of fulfilling that cause. You have a great chance to draw others into that circle as well. Your sphere of influence can become a powerful resource to reclaim even more resources to help many more that wait for God’s Word and other materials to do the work to which He has called them. The action is simple yet the spiritual impact is enormous.
Add enough of your own heart to make the letter genuinely yours. Don’t do or say anything that makes you uncomfortable or is unnatural to you. Everyone has their own personality and gifts that make them who they are. You do not want to operate outside of that which God has given you. Share your excitement. Intersperse your own testimony of how the Lord led you to join the team. Share with them what captured your heart and made you want to go. You want to help others develop their own passion for missions. The more you invest yourself in helping them the more they will invest themselves in the cause.
You may notice that the letter suggests that you will call them to invite them to participate with you. That call would be the time when you can personally share more details and your excitement for the trip. It will also be your opportunity to tell them how to do whatever it is that they decide to do. If they want to give you can tell them how. If they want to do a project you can give them the details. The personal call will be one of the most important pieces of the process and will be your opportunity to draw others into the cause.
Have fun with this whole process. If you can get some people to partner with you to the degree that you can really help them grow in the Lord that is awesome. You will all benefit from that process. If folks are unwilling to follow you can’t bear responsibility for that. All you can do is try and then watch to see how many will jump on the chance to join in on transforming lives.
Anyone wishing to invest in this mission opportunity may send their checks directly to us made payable to CRI. They will want to put your name on the memo line so it can be credited to your account. CRI will be happy to issue the tax receipt and the amount will be added to your account. At the end we will have a record of every gift so you will know who to include in the mailing of your after trip praise report letter.