Today’s Message from Jason Pfingsten, Founder & CEO of Thirst Missions
Happy October!
For many teams, fall is prime recruiting season. Your mission trip is on the calendar—now it’s time to fill the team.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” — Matthew 9:37
Over the years, we’ve learned something important: the best recruiting is personal.
Announcements, flyers and social media help, but people often say yes because someone looked them in the eye and said, “I think you should come with us.”
1. Recruit 3–4 people to help you recruit.
Don’t do this alone. Build a small leadership team, make a list of potential participants together, and divide up the names for personal invitations.
2. Make a “Who Should Come?” list.
Think beyond the obvious names—former mission trip participants, students, parents, teachers, young adults, families, new church members and people looking for a place to serve.
3. Ask every returning participant to bring one person.
A simple challenge like “Who could you bring with you this year?” can quickly grow your team.
4. Personally invite people.
Text them. Call them. Grab coffee. Talk after church or school. A personal invitation is much more powerful than another announcement.
5. Use the materials we sent you.
Utilize the contents in your Thirst Missions welcome packet or box, pass out flyers, and place information where people will actually see it.
6. Show the video.
Use your location video during church, youth group, chapel, a parent meeting or an informational meeting. Then send it directly to people you want on the team.
7. Get your pastor or organizational leaders involved.
Ask them to promote the trip—and even better, ask them to personally recruit a few people themselves.
8. Partner with another ministry in your community.
Is there a church, Christian school, youth ministry or other organization nearby whose leader you already know? Invite them to join your trip.
When I was a youth pastor, youth from three churches in Iowa joined together to fill a bus for a mission trip. Three denominations. Students from many different schools. One purpose. It was a great picture of what can happen when we look beyond the walls of our own ministry.
Your trip could be an opportunity to do the same. Another ministry may have people who want to serve but doesn’t have the leadership, numbers or resources to organize a trip on its own. Invite them to come with you.
Set a date for your next informational meeting. Serve some food. Show the video. Share why you’re excited about the trip. Have current team members bring someone with them—and give people a clear way to sign up.
We’ve put even more recruiting ideas and resources on your Managed Missions site, so check there as you build your team this fall.
Write down 10 names.
Personally invite 5 of them.
You might be surprised what God does with a simple invitation.
We’re praying for you as your team comes together!
The Thirst Missions Team
Where Faith Meets Action
