Short-Term Missions Tips
A short term mission trip is a way to move a little ways outside your comfort zone to be involved in ministry with people who come from a different cultural background man you do. We don't want finances to be an obstacle to anyone. We encourage everyone to find sponsors for the trip - it is a great way to give people who can't actually go on the trip themselves an opportunity to be a part of the team.
Here are some steps for writing a sponsor letter:
1. Pray about what you need and who you should ask.
2. Namestorm - think about people you know who you think might be interested in hearing about your trip.
- Relatives
- Business Associates
- Co-workers
- Friends - from church, sports activities, clubs, etc.
- Civic clubs
- Neighbors
- Employers
3. Write a letter to these people - if your list isn't too long write the letter and address the envelopes by hand to give it a personal touch.
a. Date the letter - make sure you mail it within a day of the date you use.
b. Tell people where you will be going and what you expect to be doing.
c. Personalize the letter with "I want to go on a mission trip because....."with your reasons.
d. Sign the letter with your first and last name.
e. You might want to have a personal note at the bottom to really close friends.
f. Give instructions for how donations should be made:
• Gifts are tax deductible when the check is made out to Hope Presbyterian Church.
• Sponsors should NOT write your name on the check, but should have an attached note that tells us the name of the mission trip and who they are sponsoring.
• Ask people to mail checks to the Mission Office, Hope Presbyterian Church, 7132 Portland Av. S., Richfield, MN 55423.
• We will let you know when checks come in for you, so that you can thank them.
4. Follow-up phone call: Ask if the person received your letter. Recap some of the information in the letter and share what you hope to see God do in your life and for the people you will be working with as a result of this trip.
• Let people know that the most important part of asking them to be a sponsor is so they can pray for you. Some people may choose not to give money towards your trip, but they will pray for you.
• If a person can sponsor you, explain the donation procedure again.
5. Send a personal, hand-written thank-you note to each person as soon as you receive their response to your letter.
6. Send a letter after the trip to let people know how the trip went, how it impacted you, etc.
7. Your mission learn may also want to plan some sort of follow- up gathering to report on the trip to all of their sponsors who live in the Twin Cities area.