If you have tried to start support raising, you may have found yourself cleaning your room for the second time in one day. You might have found yourself suddenly motivated to write a 15 page essay. I’m definitely “not” talking from experience.
While avoidance sounds great now, I want you to know that fundraising is ministry. Henri Nouwen once said, “Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission.” When you contact your potential supporters, what you are really doing is inviting them to join you in sharing the gospel and experiencing growth. Give your friends and family the opportunity to partner with you in this, and I know you will see God call together a team of people who want to join you.
As you walk through preparing for Royal Servants, here are some practical ways to help you support raise:
You will see God work in creative and amazing ways as your funds come in! If you need encouragement at any point in the coming months, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our fulltime staff that is in the front of your Prep Packet. They would love to talk and pray with you!
Booking Domestic Travel
Today we emailed (they will be in the mail tomorrow) all of the mission trip travel documents. Included in the mailing are the Updated Mission Trip Schedule, Travel Health Insurance form, Domestic Travel form, Travel Consultant form, and a letter about COVID guidelines. With the release of the Updated Mission Trip Schedule you can arrange your domestic travel. Please read over each form carefully, especially the Travel Health Insurance form, to be sure you have all of the information you need.
Packing Tips
There are a few things I want to highlight this week as you start to think through purchasing/borrowing things for the summer:1. Headlamp: I know that for some it may seem a little nerdy. But in the world of Royal Servants, a headlamp is not only fashionable, it's extremely practical. Having 2 hands free at night (as opposed to holding a flashlight) is the way to go. You can get a fairly inexpensive headlamp at Walmart.2. Spices: Old Bay, brown sugar, garlic salt, Mrs. Dash, or one of those containers that have multiple seasonings - seem to be everyone's favorite go-to's. You don't have to bring seasonings, but who doesn't want a little extra brown sugar on their oatmeal?!?3. Toilet Paper: This will be one of the best pieces of advice I give you. If there was ever a time to spend a little extra, this is where to do it. At the very least, go for 2 ply. You'll thank me later.
Mission Trip International Airfare Amounts & Deadlines
In your Prep Packet we let you know that we are required to start booking international tickets the beginning of May. Listed below are the actual dates we will be booking each trip. That means each participant must have enough money in her or his account to cover that cost on that day. If you have enough funds in your account we will automatically book your ticket. However, if you don’t have the funds in your Royal Servants account, you may also give us a credit card to cover the cost.
We won’t charge your credit card—really! We will simply put a hold for that amount and then remove the hold when your account has enough funds to cover the ticket. We would only charge the card if you dropped from the program and didn't have enough in your account to cover what we paid for the ticket. Reign Ministries is only able to process holds for Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards (debit cards may be used, but there has to be enough funds in the account and the hold will make those funds inaccessible until released). You can find more information on this under "Financial Deadlines" in Preparation Packet booklet.
If you want us to purchase your ticket by putting a hold on a credit card, you will have to call the Reign Ministries’ office before the booking deadline. You are not able to use our online giving to place a hold. You can make a tax-deductible donation for your ticket online, but the amount is immediately charged. You can reach Margaret at 402-541-9849 or call our office 763-535-9555 ext. 721 for the Royal Servants Department. We are in the office weekdays between 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT.
Please note: Donations made online via ACH giving (via your checking account) after April 25 may not clear the bank in time to count towards the airfare. Therefore this online giving feature will not be available April 26 - May 11.
Trip Airfare Cost Booking Deadline
Ireland $1200 May 9th
Costa Rica $900 May 10th
Nepal $1500 May 10th
Morocco $1100 May 11th
Nehemiah $2000 May 11th