Raising Support - part 1

So you want to be a media missionary and make a difference. Let’s suppose you’ve received your training or you have a film degree. Maybe you have some experience and have worked a year or two in your home town as a filmmaker or a media maker. And perhaps spiritually you have your game together. You believe you’ve been called by God to go to Hollywood and make media that reflects his truth and glory. Sounds good. But what now? How do you support yourself? Can you find a job in the industry before your money runs out? Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the United Sates to live.

A good rule is you need at least two years of some type of support to give yourself a realistic chance. Sure, you can find some other job outside the industry to help support yourself, but chances are it won’t be enough. The fact is it’s never easy raising personal support. But trying to raise support to be a media missionary is perhaps the most difficult task imaginable. Whether you’ve been raising support like I have for over 20 years or you are just starting, it will always be challenging. If you are going to the foreign mission field, chances are there are organizations that will teach you and assist you in raising your support. Unfortunately, that’s not true for media missionaries.

Here at Media Missionary School, we have put together a list of ten guidelines to help get you started.

1. Support is a Biblical concept. There is no shame asking for money. You must settle it in your mind that you are not begging, but that you are a worthy investment. In fact, your donors are fulfilling God’s plan by giving to your ministry. And God will bless them for supporting what he has called you to do. The Bible teaches that a Kingdom worker is worthy of his support. Paul, in fact, stopped tent making to preach full time and received support from followers of the churches he founded.

2. Make a list. Most organizations that help in fundraising will always tell you to make a list of your family and friends. This is Fundraising 101. Who do you know? That includes your parent’s friends and the parents of your friends as well as those in your church. These are the people who know you and love you. In fact, they will probably provide the bulk of any support you receive. They are also a good source for potential leads because they can make a personal recommendation.

3. Cold calling. One of the most difficult concepts in fundraising is cold calling. What if you don’t have the personal contacts of family and friends. What then? A good place to start is to find out if there are any Christian business men and women in your community. This requires you to become a detective. Are there any business newspapers or publications in your area? Chances are they have published a list of private or family companies. Your potential donors could own a car dealership, grocery store or a manufacturing company.

Check out company websites for their mission statements. This can give you a good indication whether or not they are open to Christian causes. Do your homework. Find out everything you can about the company and who they support. You want to talk to the business owner if possible. Otherwise see if they have a community relations director. That’s probably the gatekeeper you will make first contact with that will help you in receiving possible financial support. Your best asset is your youth. Christian business people are more likely to help you because you are just starting out in life, and you are willing to dedicate yourself to God’s work. So use it to your advantage.

Other possible sources for support include private or family foundations. Usually you can find a list of foundations that operate in your areas on the web or at your local library. There are also local churches where you can apply for support to the mission’s board. But that’s a long and difficult process and may not be worth the effort.

4. Kill the giants. Fear of failure will derail any chance you have to raise your support. Just like the 12 Hebrew spies who went into the promised land, ten of them came back paralyzed with fear. Only two believe they could take the land. You have to believe that you can enter the land and take what God has given you. Don’t be scared when somebody says no. It is not a personal rejection of you or your ministry. Shake off the dust from your feet and move on. Your worst enemy is fear of what people might say to you. So kill the giants.