I often say that money does not make a ministry, but it is hard to have much ministry without some money. Yet, I believe one of the most powerful tools we have in college ministry is almost free. I strongly believe in the power of the handwritten note. I got a handwritten thank you note just the other day relative to a gift that Sue and I had given. We felt appreciated. Our giving to that cause does not depend on the notes, but that helps encourage it.
One similarity that College Ministers have with college coaches is recruiting. I heard an interview with a Head Football Coach of one of the nationally known college teams. An interviewer ask how they had such a great recruiting class this year. He said one thing that they believe in strongly is that each of their staff writes five (5) handwritten notes a day....A DAY! What if you and your ministry began to write notes to students you know who will be coming in the fall? Don't wait till this summer to contact them, but write them a handwritten note the first day you get their name. If you are fortunate enough to get some sort of incoming freshmen list, write personal cards to as many as possible. You could write all of the seniors in the churches in your city encouraging them that if they go anywhere to college to connect to the ministry or a church serving that campus.
Some years ago, our BCM President asked me for a list of the churches and the pastors who gave to our ministry. He gave each member of our Leadership Team a postcard and one of the names and asked them to write a personal thank you to that pastor for their giving and for each student to say in that note how the ministry had blessed them. I bet those pastors had gotten few, if any, notes like that. A church ministry could have students write every Sunday School group that has provided food. Or, all those that served at a college event could get a thank you. Too often, church volunteers do not get thanked.
If an individual sends you a check out of the blue, write them a personal handwritten note.....even before you deposit the check.
There are about thirteen or fourteen weeks left in this semester. Did you know if you wrote just two handwritten notes a day for five days each week, you would write at least 130 handwritten notes?
Who needs thanking? Who needs inviting? Who needs encouragement? Who needs to know you are praying for them? What high school senior needs to know you want them to be a part of your ministry if they come to school where you serve?
There are about 65 work days in the summer. What if you wrote two freshmen a day this summer? That would be 130 incoming freshmen who got a personal note from you.
Stamps and postcards don't cost much. And, it could even be a postcard with a picture of your ministry on it...but that is not necessary. Write someone a handwritten note right now!
Arliss Dickerson's new book, "Tips for College Freshmen: 124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades" is available at amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.
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