Big Break

Write

You can see much success by handwriting a personal letter to present your needs. After each person has received your letter, call the potential ministry partner to ask him or her to join your team.

While it would be best to send a handwritten note to each contact, it’s not always feasible if you come up with a list of 200 names. Since most people have access to a computer, you can write the same letter to each person and personalize the salutation. Sending people photocopied letters would not be the best, but it would still work if you don’t have access to a computer.

Sample Letter

Here are some tips in writing your letter:

1. Give your letter a specific date.
2. Your greeting should be personalized. If you use a printed
   letter, hand-write the name instead of using “Dear friend.”
3. Acknowledge your relationship with the reader. What can
   you say that will help the person identify with you? Refer
   to your last visit or letter, business concerns, sports interests,
   known struggles, hobbies, etc., to help him say, “I
   know who you are.”
4. Bring your reader up to date on what you’re doing.
5. Educate your reader. Share how you became involved in Campus Crusade for Christ and how the Lord has given you a desire to reach people for Christ. Explain how you hope the Lord will use you in your future ministry.
6. Explain your need. The purpose of your letter is to give your reader an opportunity to help. Make sure you explain exactly what you need.
7. Involve your reader by asking him/her for specific action,
   based on the needs you have shared. This can include challenging him to help cover part or all of the cost of Big Break, which includes lodging, meals and transportation. State the deadline by which you need the money.
8. Acknowledge your relationship again with an emphasis on thanks, appreciation, gratitude, partnership and commitment. This ties your opening acknowledgment to your request.
9. Close the letter and sign it.
10. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.

A couple of things to avoid:

• Never apologize for writing or calling a person whom you wish to involve in helping you meet a need. You are providing people with an opportunity to be involved in a spiritual ministry through their resources. As Paul spoke to the Philippians about their giving, “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)
• Never ask for a general amount or without a time frame in which to take action. You should challenge people to give a specific gift, or at least give them a specific range. The specific challenge of $100, $200, $300 or more has been included in this material. Never ask for less than this challenge. If people want to support you, but cannot give $100, they will let you know and will not be offended by your request.

Next step: Call