New ministry idea.... need help!

I'm not a pastor, but here's some advice.

You need to research the postage rates a bit. You can go standard rate (takes a tad bit longer than regular first class) for 26 cents a letter. If you are a registered nonprofit, you can get the awesome rate of 16.2 cents a letter. So, even if you send a letter to all 22,851 people, that would be 3,701 dollars, which is much better than 10,000 .

 

How many baptist churches already in this city?

Cheers,

Jim

 

I appreciate your fervor for the Lord and the Gospel, but nowadays, the personal touch is so much better received than a letter in the mail.

Even for missionaries trying to raise support- I know whereof I speak.

If you are going to do this I would suggest targeting the area around your church first. That way if you get a god response, you can build upon that response and reach further out.

 

There's about 450 Baptist churches in Kinston, NC- assuming that is the city in question.

 

Body of Christ, I am happy the Lord has given you a burden for reaching your city for Christ. Unless He has impressed you to do it through a direct mail program, I would advise you to seek out a more personal and profitable method.

Most of your direct mailouts will go into file thirteen without even being opened. The majority of those that are opened will be discarded. Of course it could be argued that even one person reads the mail and is saved as a result, the cost will have been worth it.

I think that personal contact with people aimed at building relationships with them and sharing the gospel with them will be more productive.

I admire your zeal to reach the lost. Don't lose it, brother.

 

I have some experience with non-profit registration. It is a very detailed and involved process. If you will do a Google or visit www.irs.gov, you will find much info about how to apply for non-profit status.

I would recommend for simplicity's sake that you try to do it under the organization of a local church that has non-profit status already. They can set up what is called a 'restricted account' to receive funds for your project and maintain accountability as well as give a tax credit to those who give funds for the project. Also if the church has 'non-profit' designation already they should be able to mail out at the reduced rate.

May God bless your efforts.

 

Have you thought about contacting other believing churches in town to see if they would be interested in joining together for such an endeavor?

 

bodyofchrist,
If you ever move to Kansas, I would love for you to be a member of the church where I pastor at. It's great to see someone with a passion for the lost! Amen!!
May I suggest you cut the costs and instead by mass bulk of tracts and go out door to door? You don't even have to knock and talke to someone, but just put it in the door.
Just a suggestion. May the Lord bless you in your service to Him!
Joe

 

ministry

Our Church got help from a ministry that sends you out mailing labels for those who move in your area. Then we mailed the letter and gospel tract to them. We also came up with a Church information brochure that has the gospel in it. We put those in peoples paperbox. As we can't use the mailbox for those. Hope you find the help you are looking for in reaching you area for the Lord Jesus!!!:jesus: