It’s true what they say, “The best things in life are free.” Salvation in Jesus Christ is freely given by grace through faith. (Eph. 2:8-9)
But (you knew that was coming), some of the best opportunities to share the gospel with students aren’t free (retreats, camps, mission trips and lock-ins).
And when the budget falls short it’s time for a fundraiser!
If you find yourself saying, “Ugh, not another one,” I feel your pain. Schools, sports teams, non-profits and churches all need to do them and it’s easy to get burned out on another bake sale or car wash. But, with a little creativity, fundraisers can be fun and provide some great opportunities to teach life lessons.
First, fundraisers create ownership and appreciation for the student who wants to attend the event. We often appreciate the things we’ve worked for more than things that are just given to us. It also forces students and parents to commit to coming early enough to actually raise the money and gives you a better idea of the final head count.
Second, fundraisers allow the rest of the church (and possibly the community) to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of students. Somebody has to buy those baked goods, drive through the carwash, or needs some work done around the house. These can lead to great discussion on customer service, work ethic, promptness, etc.
Some fundraisers will work better than others in your area, so if one doesn’t work well, just move on to the next. In my experience, some work great for a few years then need to be swapped out for something different. I love the ideas over at thesource4ym.com. Check out their article “Top 5 Fundraising Ideas” and see if they’ll work in your ministry context.
Or get in touch with me and we can brainstorm some fundraising ideas together.
Get Real East in Billings is just around the corner (April 12-13), followed quickly by camps and mission trips over the summer. Now may be the perfect time (snow removal?) to start your next fundraiser.
Adam Burt
Next-Gen Director
406-252-7537
mtsbc.org/next-gen/
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