Paying For Your Trip
Now that you’re signed up for the mission trip, it is time to start paying for it. If you are traveling with or through Calvary Chapel San Gabriel Valley, you can make your payments in a number of ways. First, you can mail checks to the Missions department (or your supporters can mail them directly as well), at
Missions Department
C/O Missions Trips
PO BOX 1326
Azusa, CA 91702
You also have the option of paying electronically for your trip, if you are paying for yourself. You can do this by visiting the church’s donation portal at donate.ccsgv.com. If you are not traveling with Calvary Chapel San Gabriel Valley, ask your team leader how to pay for your trip.
Now that you know where to send the funds for your trip, the question becomes what to send, and where to get it from!
First, each traveler needs to pay a $100 non-refundable deposit. This holds your spot on the trip, and allows the team leader or facility administrator to begin to prepare for your departure. After the deposit, you may choose to pay in full, or make payments for your trip until the payment deadline. Please note that all payments must be made in full no later than 30 days before the trip’s departure date. Any persons that have not paid in full for their trip 30 days before the departure date run the risk of extra fees (plane tickets go up the closer you get to the departure date), or trip cancellation. If you think you might not be able to pay in time, contact the missions department or your team leader as soon as you know, so that arrangements can be made.
Some people have the money upfront for their trip. Many save all year, others, use their tax return or year-end bonus from work. But for others, the total trip price is outside of their regular finances, and they will need help getting the funds to go on their trip. There are many ways to raise funds for a mission trip, but one of the most effective ways to get the extra money together is by simply writing letters to everyone that you know. A simple Fundraising letter explaining your trip, your focus, and your need for funds can be an effective way of raising funds. A couple things to remember when raising funds for your trip:
- Cast a wide net! Don’t just send letters to Christians that you know. You would be surprised to find out how many non-Christians you know that might be willing to support you. Usually, 50 letters is enough to raise up to $1500 in support, 75 letters to raise $2500 in support. Remember, just 15 donations of $100, or 30 donations of $50 will cover a $1500 trip!
- Be specific. Don’t just ask for money, ask for a certain amount. “Can you commit to supporting our trip with a donation of $100.00?” will be more effective than asking for general support. Also, don’t just ask if they will consider supporting you. For many, they will consider, and say no. Try asking them to support you. “Will you support our trip with a donation of $100?” is more effective than “will you consider supporting our trip?”
- Talk face to face whenever possible. Letters are great, but it is easy to set them aside, because they are not personal. It is harder to say no when the person is standing right in front of you! So whenever possible, set up a meeting with each of the people that you are asking to help fund your trip. You will be surprised what a difference it will make. If you are unable to talk face to face with others, then consider a video call like Skype, or a phone call. These are all better than an impersonal letter.
- Don’t bleed your local church! Remember, that many of the people at your church who would be willing to support you are probably already supporting missionaries in other places, so be careful about siphoning off funds for the general missions fund at your local church for your trip. Always start as far out as you can, and work your way in. Non-Christians first, remote friends, family, and then the church.
- If you raise extra funds, give those to the team that you are traveling with, or if you are traveling alone, give those to the missionaries that you are going to visit. Remember, that these funds were for the mission effort, so use them that way.
There are many ways to raise funds for your missions trip, but they are outside the scope of this page. For more ideas, talk with your team leader, missions pastor, or try the following resources for ideas and help:
Serving as Senders by Neil Pirolo
Friend Raising- Building Missionary Support by Betty Barnett
Documentation
Passports and Visas
