If you are going on program to a sensitive or closed country, be sure to talk with your director about what information is appropriate and safe to share publicly.
1. Express your appreciation. Thank you for the opportunity for me to share with you this evening.
2. Share about Global Programs. I’ve been accepted on the Global Program to X country. Global Programs are summer programs where college students work with local missionaries, national church leaders, universities, the urban poor and others in need in almost 25 countries through more than 45 different programs. Since 1970 they have been teaching American students to share their faith in a different culture. Global Programs are a ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. [Share about InterVarsity if necessary].
3. Share specifically what you will be doing. Contact your director for more information. My Global Program to X country will specifically involve serving in a cross-cultural summer internship focused on friendship evangelism, service to the poor, etc. (depending on your particular GP). It also involves an orientation and debriefing program which helps me serve in cross-cultural situations by teaching me how to (a) understand the biblical basis for missions, (b) build trust with others, and (c) face differences.
4. Share why you’re going. Personalize this. There are over 2 billion people who have never of Jesus Christ. Most of them live in groups that have no Christian witness. Through Global Programs, God will help me (a) share the gospel with those who have not had the opportunity to hear, (b) love the urban poor by serving them with my skills, (c) evaluate missions as a career, (d) find out more about what God is doing in the world, (e) share what I experience to impact my chapter and my church, so that we all might become involved in missions and service.
5. Share your itinerary. I will be leaving for orientation on X date. After a week of orientation, we will head to X country and be there until X date, when we end the program with a few days of debriefing.
6. Share your needs and invite them into partnership. I’m excited about this opportunity, but in order to go, I will need many prayer partners and will need to raise $X dollars of financial support. Will you consider partnering with me in this ministry by giving $X to $Y [give a specific range of dollars] and by committing to pray for me?
7. End with prayer requests and another thank you.
Other Presentation Suggestions:
- Tailor your talk to the audience. How much they are currently informed or involved in missions will determine how in-depth or how much information you give them. If you’re speaking to just one person or a small group, interrupt your presentation by asking if they have any questions.
- Dress appropriately. Casual attire may be fine for an InterVarsity meeting, but may not win the hearing of a church audience or an alumni working in the marketplace.
- Know your time limit. If you want to allow brief time for discussion or questions, stop five or ten minutes early and make time.
- Pray before your presentation and thank God for the privilege of being a bridge between your supporters and God’s Kingdom work around the world. Remember, raising support involves the body of Christ in Kingdom-building!
