promote

How to Promote a Missions Trip


1. I believe the most important aspect of promoting a missions trip is for the Pastor and other leadership to be convinced that the trip is God's will. My experience is that without this conviction, it will be difficult for you to be able to provide the vision and leadership necessary to bring about a successful trip. If you are seeking confirmation from the Lord about a trip, the best way I know to determine His will in this matter is for the Pastor to come with us on another churchs' trip.

2. In small churches, it is very important that the pastor commit to come on the trip, and it is best if several key leaders also commit to come. In larger churches, it is key that the senior pastor support the trip and best if he comes (at least on the churchs' first trip). These Jamaica trips are designed for people to apply what they learn back in the U.S. If church leadership has not attended a trip, then it is extremely hard for them to be able to capitalize on the new commitments people make.

3. Make a list of those that you would like to see come on such a trip and begin praying for them consistently. Since an emphasis of the trips is on making disciples, it is good to have disciplemaking leadership on the trip. Make a special appointment with them to challenge them to come. Just taking time for this appointment shows them this is important to you and they will pray about it more seriously.

4. Use the Vacation with a Purpose video along with the promotional brochure to present the concept to the church, individuals, or groups within the church. After the video, explain as best as you can what will happen on the trip. Be sure people understand that this is a ministry trip and although there will be some time given to recreation, we will work hard and sometimes long hours so as to be wise stewards of the funds raised for these trips. At the end of the presentation, you may try a closing something like this:

"As you have watched this video and listened to this presentation, if you have felt a tug at your heart, or maybe you're saying, ‘I'd like to do that someday', consider that tug may be the Lord inviting you to come on this trip. Assume for a moment that it is the Lord. I want to encourage you to turn to the back page of your Vacation with a Purpose brochure and list all the reasons why you can't go on this trip. (Take a minute and encourage them to do it now.) Now, by faith, I want to challenge you to put up the $100 deposit and trust God to remove all the barriers that you have listed. If He doesn't remove all the barriers, then you can rest assured that this is not God's will for you and you have not missed out on something that God really wanted you to experience. Now that you have listed all the reasons that you cannot attend, begin asking God to remove every barrier if He wants you to come. Also, remember that you need to express your faith in each area. For instance, if one of your barriers is getting time off work, then express your faith by asking for the time. If you don't have the money, then trust God to provide it by letting others know the need. Again, you express your faith and trust God to remove the barriers. If He doesn't, then you will know that you have not missed something He wanted you to experience."

5. If this is a group meeting, you may want to pass out 3 X 5 cards and ask everyone to put their name and phone number on the card. If they are the least bit interested and willing to pray about going, ask them to put a check in the upper right corner of the card. This gives you a record of who has been exposed and who is interested in attending.

6. Begin following up each person that expressed an interest, as well as all the others on your prayer list. Help them see that this trip could be a turning point in their spiritual life, as it has been for many before them. Help wherever you can to remove real or imagined barriers. Don't be afraid to challenge people to step out in faith and trust God. I have found that if leaders will stand up and say "follow me", others will follow. They may not fully understand and they may even come with wrong motives. But I have seen God turn wrong motives into a life changing experience hundreds of times. People will need help believing God to remove barriers. However, removal of those barriers may be the first step to new spiritual horizons. Ten of the twelve spies that went into the land did not believe God could remove the giants. The result was years of wandering in the wilderness. The Lord says that He is not only able, but willing to do far beyond anything that we could ever ask or think. Challenge your people to believe that and challenge them one on one and face to face.

7. Place a table in the lobby with information about the trip. During services, have someone (preferably that knows the details about the trip) staff the table to answer questions and write down the name of every person that shows any interest. Many people will be interested but will dismiss the idea if they are not challenged and helped to see that God really does remove barriers.

8. Remind people each week in the service of the upcoming trip and ask them to keep praying about going. This can easily be done quickly while reminding people how much money already has been raised. Remind them that if they cannot come this year that they can still be a part by helping to send someone else. This is the time to build vision and excitement about what God is about to do.

9. Preach one or more sermons on fulfilling the Great Commission.

10. Start promotion early. Approximately 3 to 4 months ahead is good. It takes a long time to produce a major change in one's thinking, as this type of trip takes. Also, fund raising, etc. takes time.

11. Encourage families and/or family members to go together. Experiencing this trip together can have a big impact on relationships. It is good for families to see other family members' commitment to Christ.