What Donors Want: In Your Newsletters (Part II)
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“J” is a faithful giving partner of many missionaries for many years. Having served a two-year term in Japan in disciple-making, she understands giving and receiving. I asked her and her husband “G”, to respond to these questions about missionary newsletters—fasten your seat belt!
What do you like in missionary newsletters?
• Updates on ministry. What are you are doing? What is God doing? Challenges. Be clear, and not overly detailed. Share a few first names if necessary, but not a lot.
• Brief family updates. Not about adult children and grandchildren. I get bored with details of 15 grandchildren. Share health issues, joys, blessings in your immediate family.
• A little family news is welcome—just not too much. A cute short story of one family member is fine. Avoid the typical “bragging” Christmas letter.
• Honesty if things are difficult. What is God taking you through? Encouragement about God's goodness and sovereignty. Remind us that this is God's work.
• Tell how you shared the good news of God's kingdom. This is a weakness for most American Christians so we love it when our missionaries share the gospel.
• Personal note on the bottom. I always read that first.
What do you not like in missionary letters:
• Long, wandering stories, too many details. Think through on what you share.
• Sermons and lectures. Enough said!
• Telling only about family. We supported someone like this once. I finally questioned her, and she admitted they were not doing much ministry. Shortly after that they left the mission.
• Poor grammar and not proofreading. Edit, edit, edit! We notice!
What about an end-of-year appeal?
Not merely because your monthly support is low. "Oops we need $38,000 to finish the year." Don't we all—G and me included! There is something unfaithful in not living within your means and not working on fundraising throughout the year.
A special project beyond monthly support is fine.
How often do you want to hear from your missionaries?
• Hard-copy letters, 4-6 times a year.
• E-mails are great. We can print your letter if necessary. With e-mail you can communicate more often—brief specific prayer needs.
• Phone calls once in a while are wonderful.
• Acknowledge if someone sends an additional gift. Absolutely essential! Once we sent $1000 to a missionary couple because they had huge needs. We never heard a word. That hurt.
How long should letters be?
Hard copies 1-1.5 pages. More than that is hard to read or is set aside and forgotten.
E-mail, the same. Put your news in the body of your letter. We don't open attachments.
How many prayer requests?
2-3, use first names or pseudonyms.
Not overly detailed. Hard to remember. God will know about your request when I mention it to Him.
What about photos?
• A photo of the missionary and family or someone in the ministry is good.
• One. Three are usually too many.
Do you mind being asked to increase support?
• We don’t mind, especially if we have been supporting at the same rate for a while.
• We prefer being asked in phone call or hand written note.
• Express gratitude for our support in the past and an explanation on why you need an increase.
• Need time to pray about it and a "deadline." When must we let you know?
• New missionaries asking for support? Okay, if we have a relationship with them. We don't seriously consider those we don't know.
Anything else?
We are a team! Missionaries and those who hold the ropes with prayer and financial support are in ministry together. The missionary has the more exciting role in my eyes, but both are needed. Humility and gratitude are so welcome.
Some newsletters are keepers and stay in my Bible for months. Authentic, encouraging, informative letters are welcome.
