Josh and Katie were feeling lonely and isolated.
They had applied and been accepted to a well known youth ministry, given a book to read about support raising, and told to report to their assignment when they got to full budget.
Now, four months later, and stuck at only 18%, they sat in a room and silently stared at each other. Katie finally spoke up, “Why are we trying to do this all by ourselves? Why don’t we get some of our friends involved? I bet a number of them would want to do more than just give.” Immediately, they started brainstorming about who they would invite to be part of a steering committee, what their roles would be, how often they should meet, etc…Depression gave way to hope as they started calling and inviting various friends to attend the first monthly meeting of what they called their “Go Team.”
At their first meeting, Katie shared two key verses that provided the rationale for starting the group:
Two are better than one, for they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls, the other will lift him up. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9,10)
Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
(Hebrews 10:24,25)
After thanking everyone for coming, Josh went over the job description with the group of five couples and three singles who had driven in from around the greater Philadelphia area. He framed it as “Four Ways You Can Help Us Get to 100% Support.” Yes, these thirteen willing and able friends were already on their monthly support team, but there were a few other strategic ways they could help get this couple to their inner-city ministry quickly—and fully funded:
1. Commit to pray regularly
Josh and Katie promised to send out a weekly email to the Go Team that included personal requests, along with the names of people they were approaching. The team was to pray for boldness and sensitivity for them, but also openness and generosity on the part of the potential supporters.
2. Brainstorm for new contacts
Every member was supposed to bring to each meeting at least five new names (and contact info) for Josh and Katie to follow up on. As a group, they would share those names, talk about the best way to approach them, and pray by name over the new list.
3. Set up support appointments for them
In addition to just thinking of new names, each Go Team member was to try to actually set up at least one appointment every other week for Josh and Katie. The members were trying to create a “Triangle of Trust” whereby they would ask friends and associates to meet with the ministry couple. Why? JUST because they asked them to.
4. Encourage and hold them accountable
The team helped Josh and Katie set up monthly, weekly, even daily goals on how many calls and appointments they were to make. The couple reported back each month how they did on their goals and what the results were. They also shared any personal issues they might be struggling with. Each month, the meeting would end with everyone praying over Josh and Katie and for their efforts the next 30 days.
And how long did their Go Team meet? Until they got to 100% support—which was about five months after they started it!
