How to Write a Support Letter
Step one: Sit downStep two: WriteStep three: SendOk, so I’m being a little simplistic, but usually the hardest thing about writing is sitting down and actually doing it. Don’t make it a big deal in your head. Just sit down and start! Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Try starting your letter in the middle of a story. For example, compare these two openings: “This summer I am making preparations to spend three weeks with a mission team in Romania teaching children’s ministry. We will be working with kids from orphanages, churches, and remote villages teaching crafts, games, and stories that reveal different attributes of who God is.” “For the first time, I had a genuine desire to go. It wasn’t a hope. It wasn’t a ‘that would be nice
someday’ feeling. It was an assurance that this time, I couldn’t say no." The first example is facts based. It is important information to communicate, but starting with the story of how you crossed the line from “I’ll go someday” to “I’ll go now” will be much more personal and interest your readers in finding out what you will be doing. Maybe you didn’t have an epiphany moment. God works gradually in our hearts as well. Tell what he did in yours.
- Share the vision of the trip. Once you tell why you are going, share the situations you will be working in. Why is this trip needed? If you know something about the cultural heritage of the place you are going, you can explain the background of the people and the perspective most of them come from. For example, Romania was under the iron curtain not too long ago. The darkness they suffered is still affecting the culture today.
- Keep the letter to one page. People get overwhelmed reading more than that. If you really want it to be special, handwrite it. It’s nice to put a hand written note on the bottom even if you do type it out.
- Include a picture or two! This helps tell the story.
If you don’t have pictures, ask your mission organization if you can use some from their website. - Write out specific prayer requests, both for yourself and for the team’s work. You can be vulnerable and share what you are struggling with or afraid of. It helps to have specific things to pray for rather than a general plea for prayer. And believe me, those prayers will hold you up when you are away. You will learn to appreciate the fact that those who are praying for you are prayer warriors on your behalf. (PS. If you are going on a Global Encounters trip, you will receive bookmarks that you could mail with your letter that have prayer requests on the back!)
- Ask for support. It may not be comfortable asking for money, but realize that you are giving people an opportunity to support God’s work with their funds when they don’t have the opportunity to dedicate weeks of time like you can. We are the body of Christ and we have different gifts to offer at different times. Give of your time selflessly now and accept graciously the support of those who can give of their resources for God’s work. Make sure to include the details: When you will be gone, how much you need to raise, where to send support, and the date by which all support must be received.
- End with a thank you. It doesn’t matter whether people give financially or through their prayers. Both actions are sacrificial, so thank your brothers and sisters in Christ for giving of themselves to help expand the kingdom of God! Be certain to update them on what God did when you get back as well. They will be encouraged by the stories and by hearing what God taught you. It's a privilege to share with others the task of missions and also the fruit!
Support letters are just one of many ways to let people know what you are doing. If you want more ideas on fundraising, watch our fundraising videos here and here. If you want more tips on storytelling, check out our prior newsletter on fundraising through storytelling here.