FUNDRAISING

What is MTD?

Ministry Team Development is the core process GCM missionaries use to raise funds. The training philosophy is based on William McConkey’s “Win, Keep, Lift” strategy on interacting with donors, and has been proven successful notably through Campus Crusade for Christ, the largest evangelical missions agency in the world.

Key aspects of the MTD model include:

• Emphasis on personal, face-to-face meetings with potential donors in offices, coffee shops, and homes.
• Donors as “ministry partners” are invited to join not only financially, but also prayerfully and given opportunities to donate time & resources.
• Sharing a clear, concise, and compelling story that includes a personal testimony, the needs of a mission field, the gospel, and a direct ask for partnership.
• Recurring monthly giving for an indefinite commitment (e.g. $100 monthly)

What is covered in GCM New Missionary & MTD Training?

GCM’s MTD training, required for all deputized fundraiser missionaries with GCM, is a comprehensive 80-hour course in the theological and practical aspects of Ministry Team Development. It is taught by experienced trainers who have raised funds themselves for church planting, campus ministry, and more. Topical examples include: God’s Perspective on Money, Facebook and Donors, Calling Back for a Decision, Handling Yes, No & Maybe Answers, and Location Strategy.

The training is intense and covers a broad set of topics in a short amount of time—missionaries should leave the training able to present their ministry in a clear, concise, and compelling manner, and be confident in their calling and strategy. Participants consistently rate the training as essential to their success in fundraising.

GCM’s end-of-training “Check Out Interview” ensures the missionary is ready to be deputized for fundraising, and the GCM Trainer’s Report is delivered to the local church.

What is the timeline or process for a typical staff doing MTD?

A missionary on our most-common, fulltime track follows this pattern:

1. Apply. Complete the GCM application and assessment process. 4-6 weeks (domestic)
2. Training. Attend the next available 8-day GCM New Missionary and Fundraising Training. These are offered 3-4 times a year, and are most often held in Orlando FL.
3. Initial MTD Phase. Fulltime focus on MTD/fundraising. For their success, GCM generally does not allow missionaries to raise funds “on the side” as they continue another job, even ministry work. Missionaries devote their full attention to raising up the ministry team of donors until they’ve reached a 100% funding level.
4. Release to Assignment. On reaching a 100% funding level of the recurring monthly support goal, a missionary is “Released to Assignment” and GCM records them as taking up their fulltime ministry job description under their local church or ministry.
5. Field Ministry & MTD. Work in fulltime ministry, while devoting about 10-20% of weekly time to cultivating and developing new partners.

*We do allow some exceptions to this process for those transferring from some support-based missions agencies, senior church plant leaders, and more. They are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

*Because of the longer term and different goals for fundraising, International staff may do their Initial MTD Phase while they complete work obligations in the US before travelling overseas.