LETTER WRITING INFORMATION FOR ALL MISSION TEAM MEMBERS

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1 LETTER WRITING INFORMATION FOR ALL MISSION TEAM MEMBERS Fundraising is a necessary and common practice in the life of a missionary. The majority of folks do not have the opportunity to physically GO on a mission trip, but they can BECOME a mission team member through prayer and financial support. Writing mission letters/ s should be approached as a means of inviting others to become MISSION PARTNERS in order that many will be BLESSED. Letter writing is not a reflection of financial need as much as it reflects our desire to allow others to join in the KINGDOM-BUILDING that God wants to do with the GAC mission trips. With those thoughts in mind, please BE ERFUL AND SINCERE in your letter writing. There is certain wording that must be included for tax purposes. Aside from that, letters should be PERSONAL AND THOUGHTFUL. From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16) May we all join together in the unity of Christ! Ten letters are the minimum requirement, but it is suggested that team members send out AT LEAST We request that your letters are sent by from your mission team member s page. This will save time and postage and most people are accustomed to this method. You will include your team donation link in the that can be clicked and donations can be made immediately. You can also check the status of your donations and send thank you notes from that page. You also have supplies for actual letters that are sent by U.S. mail. This method is for making requests from those that may not have or prefer writing a check. It is important that you follow the attached instructions for donations by check. 1

2 STUDENT TEMPLATE FOR SOLICITING MISSION TRIP SUPPORT Solicitations should be prayerful, thoughtful and personal!! I. Dear II. Introduce self III. Tell about the ministry/mission opportunity IV. Tell why you are going V. IF YOU ARE SOLICITING FINANCIAL DONATIONS YOU MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS. Leaders will assist in filling in necessary blanks: As a team member, I have agreed to raise $ to support the team and the planned ministry projects. These projects include. If you would be willing to partner with my mission team and our efforts to spread God s love in, your financial donation would be greatly appreciated. You may donate online by following the link below (include this additional statement if sending an actual letter: or by mailing a check with the white donation card in the enclosed envelope.) All donations to the Mission Team must be received by. Your non- refundable financial contribution to the mission team will be considered as a tax- deductible donation to Greater Atlanta Christian School Missions. VI. Link to donating online: (This is the link to donating to ALL the trips. Leaders may change this to specify your particular trip) VII. Personal closing comments 2

3 INSTRUCTIONS FOR U.S. MAIL LETTERS 1. WRITE YOUR NAME AND TRIP NAME on each white mission card AND the back of the mission envelope. Let your mission donor know that he/she should NOT write your name anywhere on the check. If your name is written on the check - that check can not be considered a donation - instead it is considered a payment. 2. Put a postage stamp on the small white return envelope. You may get more cards and envelopes if needed from your trip leader or Mrs. McMaster. 3. If a donor loses the white return envelope or missions card, he/she can send the donation to: Greater Atlanta Christian School Missions - (your name and name of trip) 1575 Indian Trail Rd. Norcross, GA Follow letter writing instructions on: STUDENT TEMPLATE FOR SOLICITING MISSION TRIP SUPPORT (on previous page) 5. If you are NOT requesting financial partnership, you are still required (as was stated in your contract) to send out a minimum of 10 letters requesting ERS for your team. We also ask that you allow that person the opportunity to give to the GAC General Mission Fund to help others who are requesting support for their mission team. 6. PLACE: a. your letter b. the white missions card (with your name and trip name) c. the stamped small white return envelope (with your name and trip name) IN A LARGER ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO YOUR INTENDED DONOR. We encourage you to write your letters/ s as soon as your fundraising pages are up and ready for donations. This will help you meet the various deadlines for when your funds are due. 3

4 DEVELOP YOUR LIST: v Relatives v Friends v Companies who do matching donations v Churches v Mission- minded individuals v People who will let you work in exchange for a donation WRITE THE LETTER/ USING THE TEMPLATE PROVIDED: Make sure it is ERFUL, SINCERE, PERSONAL AND THOUGHTFUL. When requesting financial support for your team, you should include the paragraph provided in Section V of the template. LETTERS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS: be more casual in the introducion and closing comments. You may want to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving or make a personal comment. LETTERS TO COMPANIES WHO DO MATCHING DONATIONS: be sincere and thoughtful, but more formally worded. Indicate your connection to this company (through a parent, neighbor, etc) or how you found out about their matching donation program. The company may have a form that needs to be completed by you and the GAC Development Office. They may also request contact information for the Development office. Provide the following information: Kristy Buce: Development Officer, GAC ext. 219 kbuce@greateratlantachristian.org CHURCHES: Tell who you are and your relationship to that church. If your relationship is through someone else, use his/her name and how they are related. MISSION- MINDED INDIVIDUALS: Introduce yourself using your common love for missions. Give a brief overview of past missions (if any.) PEOPLE WHO WILL LET YOU WORK IN EXCHANGE FOR A TEAM DONATION: Let them know that you are willing to work hard. List suggestions that you might be able to help with. Thank them for any opportunities. THANK YOU! * THANK YOU! * THANK YOU! * THANK YOU! SEND A THANK YOU NOTE OR WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF RECEIVING A DONATION! You can see the donation online and can send the thank you online from your support page. Don t be the one who doesn t show appreciation and gratitude (remember the parable of the 10 lepers!.) Donors will be MUCH more likely to support the team again if they are thanked appropriately. IT S JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO. 4

5 AFTER YOU RETURN FROM YOUR TRIP: send a newsletter to EVERYONE that you originally sent a letter to even if they were not able to support the team financially! Use your daily journal, tell what you did, tell how you saw God work, tell how you ve changed, include a picture or two. The newsletter can be the same for everyone. FOR THOSE TO WHOM YOU ARE SENDING LETTERS. THAT GOD WILL PUT IT ON THEIR HEART TO PARTNER WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM. THAT THROUGH YOUR PARTNERSHIP, JESUS WILL BE GLORIFIED AND MANY WILL BE BLESSED!! 5