So you want to go on a mission trip? Whether you're doing a YWAM Salem discipleship training school DTS) or another gap year program, we understand that your first concern is most likely going to be financing the trip.
Affordable Christian gap year programs can be hard to come by. While YWAM Salem offers discipleship training and mission trips for young adults of all financial backgrounds, fundraising is something all DTS students complete.
The tasks of fundraising can often seem daunting. But don't worry, it's not as scary as you think. We know because all YWAM are volunteers. Just like the DTS student often fundraises to attend our training, we too fundraise to work at YWAM Salem.
Trusting God with finances is hard because it goes against the value of self-sufficiency in our culture. However, if we are willing to put the fear aside, trust God, and do the work, fundraising for mission trips and training is definitely doable.
Check out our full list of tips on how to raise money for mission trips or to attend your Christian gap year program below. And if you haven't already applied for a DTS, what are you waiting for? Apply today to learn to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and earn college credit during your gap year.
Before you can give it your all in fundraising, you may need to check where you’re at with God. Many times, the idea of fundraising or support raising causes fear, anxiety, and panic. Those feelings can paralyze you and end your fundraising efforts before you even begin.
Whenever you are dealing with fears and lies, you need to replace those things with truth. God is a provider and cares deeply for each of you; that care extends to your finances. He’s provided for thousands and thousands of ministries, from Paul the Apostle to the high school graduates and volunteer staff members who make up YWAM.
So how do you start trusting God in this process? It's easy - simply pray.
Drench your support-raising journey in prayer! Jesus said, "I only do what I see the Father doing." This is your mission do what he is telling you to do. God’s heart is moved when we spend time in his presence.
When you get down to the nuts and bolts of fundraising, it’s about inviting others into your vision. Think about your friends, family members, people in your church, coworkers, and so on. Isn’t God’s call on your life to go into missions pretty exciting and worthwhile?
Make a list of all your contacts and potential people in your community and even outside of it. Call, message, or email them and schedule a time to meet with them face-to-face. While it’s tempting to manage your fundraising strategy from behind our computers and phones, face-to-face is the most effective strategy. Step out of your comfort zone.
The more personal and relational you are in your strategy the more effective your fundraising will be. Scheduling practice meetings with your closest friends can be a great way to practice what you are going to say, as well as help get rid of any nervousness you might be feeling.
Communication is key both in the fundraising process and in reporting back to your supporters. Prepare to write letters and contacts by anticipating the questions they might have when you start talking about your mission trip and your journey to fund it. You should have clear answers ready to go before your contacts ask you for them.
You don’t have to overthink it or rehearse a speech. But you want to be prepared to answer why you are doing a DTS, need money, and how DTS will prepare you for the future. Remember to trust God in this process and in the dreams he has put in your heart. It’s okay to speak from your heart.
Clear communication also means timely follow-up. Usually after meeting with a contact, they might need time to pray or think it over. Plan a time to follow up with them and stick to it.
Keep in mind that good communication doesn’t stop when you take off for DTS. You're doing more than raising funds for your gap year program. You're building real relationships that may serve you for the rest of your life.
Use an email service like MailChimp to keep your supporters updated on your progress. Reach out to them now and then, especially with tales from your mission trip or daily Christian life at YWAM Salem's campus. These actions will help you build a strong foundation with your supporters.
Exciting things are ahead of you on this journey, so share those stories with those who have helped you along the way. It’s another way that God’s kingdom moves forward and allows us to experience true Christian community!
Little expenses can add up pretty quickly. Purchasing a latte every day can cost over $100 a month. As you begin the support-raising process, be prepared to look over your normal spending habits and be willing to make some sacrifices.
Part of being a good steward is to have a generous spirit. This can be a hard thing to do. Prayerfully ask God if he would have you fast from certain luxuries to save more money.
Also, ask Him how you can be generous in this season. Some of the donations you receive will be out of an enormous place of sacrifice on the giver. We have to be willing to make similar sacrifices.
Gratitude isn’t something that only happens when all the money comes in. It’s a spiritual discipline; one you should practice in every stage of fundraising. Thank God for every penny that comes in AND has yet to arrive. Gratitude may bring about the breakthrough to get to that final amount.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Being thankful is part of the process of trusting God.
At its core, a mission trip is an opportunity God created for YWAMers, often college-age students, to go into the nations and spread His word. You'll experience new cultures and foreign languages, delve into new outdoor environments, complete community service, and gain a deeper understanding of the Gospel and how to spread it across the globe and individuals everyday lives.
Is it really worth leaving all that behind or missing out simply because financing a mission trip is hard?
Don’t write off doing a DTS or getting involved in missions because of finances. It will take some hard work, sacrifice, and some serious trust in the Lord, but funding your journey into missions is possible!
God is a missional God. He's not just calling you into missions, but calling you to invite a new team of people to come alongside you, and see his heart for the nations unfold.
YWAM Salem's mission trips in the outreach phase of DTS have a ton of awesome opportunities including earning college credit through the University of the Nations, attending church in an overseas community, supporting local nonprofit organizations, and so much more.
Open to all age groups and backgrounds, our mission trips are students' chance to form authentic relationships through sharing God's word. You'll take what you learned in the Bible classes and leadership skills training they received in the campus phase in Salem, Oregon, and put it into action in the real world. You'll disciple just as Jesus did and serve alongside fellow believers to experience genuine community in a place that would have otherwise never known God's word.
DTS, our flagship Christian gap year program, begins at our campus just outside of Salem, Oregon. Once the campus phase is complete, you'll have the opportunity to travel to an overseas destination to disciple to new communities.
Your outreach destination will be revealed toward the end of your time at our YWAM base. Outreach destinations almost always involve international travel, so it's important you have a valid passport with you when you arrive for your gap year DTS.
Possible mission trip destinations include:
Learn more about what to expect during a DTS by reading our DTS FAQ today.
Doing a Discipleship Training School is a big decision. How do you know the timing is right? Where will you be traveling? How will you raise the funds? These are all valid questions we hear every day!
We'd love to get to know you and chat about your possible journey to DTS. Schedule a call with someone from our admissions team today! No really, we are real people and we'd love to talk. You can also check out other helpful resources on our site, such as the DTS road map, which gives you the who's who and what's what of YWAM and DTS.
When you're ready to answer God's call - apply for a DTS today.