Support Raising Bootcamp: 11th-13th November 2024, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa!

Click on the YouTube video above to explore the SCAS Center in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa, which hosted a Support Raising Solutions Bootcamp.

Written by: Victor Mushimbami, Founder and Lead Blogger of Purpose Beyond Limits Online

Date: November 16, 2024

Greetings,

Dear friends and supporters,

Warm greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I trust this message finds you well and encouraged in the work of the Lord. It is always a joy to connect with you and share the ways God is working through this ministry.

Overview of Activities: Stellenbosch Bootcamp - Cape Town, South Africa

Had the privilege to be one of the facilitators of the Stellenbosch Bootcamp in Cape Town, South Africa, which took place from November 11th to 13th. This Bootcamp, held at the Scars Center (Sports for Christ Action South Africa), is part of a greater movement of using sports, particularly football, to spread the Gospel. In partnership with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) from the USA, the Bootcamp brought together Christian coaches from across the globe, including leaders from Egypt, Togo, Angola, Benin, Gambia, Nigeria, Botswana, Madagascar, Peru, Cameroon, Zambia, and many more. These leaders, who are already making a profound impact in their respective communities, recognized the need for support raising to be effective in their mission fields.

Ministry leaders from across the globe gathered for the Stellenbosch Bootcamp in Cape Town.

What Is a Support Raising Bootcamp?

Traditionally, the term "Bootcamp" refers to an intensive, short-term training event designed to equip participants with specialized skills in a focused environment. In the same way, the Support Raising Bootcamp is a transformative program tailored to ministry workers, providing them with the tools and confidence to build a solid support network for their calling.

Why It Matters

The Bootcamp is more than just training; it’s a game-changer for anyone stepping into ministry. It removes the intimidation of fundraising and replaces it with a sense of joy, purpose, and reliance on God's provision.

What Participants Gain

1. Practical Strategies for Ministry Funding

Learn proven methods to start your ministry fully funded and maintain that financial support for the long haul.

2. Goal-Driven Planning

Set clear objectives and actionable steps to ensure sustainable support throughout your ministry journey.

3. Joy in Partnership Development

Shift your perspective to see fundraising as a privilege and an opportunity to share your ministry vision with partners who want to invest in God's work.

More Than Just Financial Preparation

The Support Raising Bootcamp isn’t just about money. It shapes participants holistically by focusing on:

• Perspective Building: Teaching that partnership development is about God's mission, not just financial needs.

• Biblical Foundations: Rooting the training in Scripture with lessons from both the Old and New Testaments.

• Skill Development: Engaging participants in dynamic exercises, role-playing, and interactive discussions to solidify their learning.

A Legacy of Impact

Over 500 organizations have sent ministry workers to the Bootcamp, and thousands of participants have walked away spiritually and practically equipped. As one facilitator aptly put it:

"What God calls us to accomplish, He provides for in ways that bring Him honor and glory." (Paraphrased from Via Generosity website)

By partnering with us, you’re holding the ropes, providing crucial support that allows us to equip more ministry workers for effective service. Together, we can empower more people to step into their calling, fully funded and spiritually ready to advance the Kingdom. Your partnership can make a lasting impact and transform countless lives for Christ!

The Bootcamp Experience

Bootcamp Facilitators: Victor (Zambia, left) and Gabriel (Nigeria, right)

As a Via Generosity facilitator, I had the opportunity to facilitate this Bootcamp alongside Micah from the USA and Gabriel from Nigeria. The three-day Bootcamp was filled with rich content and fruitful discussions. The sessions were designed to equip participants to:

1. Be driven by their God-given vision for ministry.

2. Maintain spiritual health in their personal walk and interpretation of Scripture.

3. Successfully raise the full support needed for long-term ministry.

During Bootcamps, we cover some of the following topics:

• Current Thinking

• Biblical Basis for Support Raising

• Questions That Deserve an Answer

• The Right Perspective of the God-Asker

• Local Support

• Challenging Environments

• Appointment Preparation and Follow-Through (Securing Appointments, Crucial Components, Transitioning to the God-Ask, Finishing Appointments, Special Asks, Approaching Churches, Q&A)

• Strategy and Planning (Time Commitment Analysis, Structuring Your Week, Reaching 100% Support, Q&A)

• Thriving for a Lifetime (Donors as Ministry Partners, Vision-Driven Communication, Growing Your Team, Administration and Record Keeping, Tithing Your Time, Asking for Referrals, Scheduling and Phone Calls, Q&A)

• Making Actual Phone Calls

• Planning for the Next 30 Days (Essential Conversations, Final To-Do Checklist, Personal Commitments, Q&A, Open Mic, and Closing Prayer).

As the Lord Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37). One of the reasons for the lack of laborers is the insufficient support they receive. Through Via Generosity, we are empowering leaders to raise support so they can continue to work effectively in their fields and expand the Kingdom.

Coaching and Accountability

After the Bootcamp, one of the participants, Tolo from Botswana, asked me to coach him. Additionally, Edwards from last year’s Kenyan Bootcamp is also part of those I will be coaching to help them get fully funded. These leaders will have me as an accountability partner, helping them raise their full support and walk in integrity as they continue their ministry. Our accountability is first and foremost before God, but we are also called to be accountable to one another.

To facilitate this process, I have created a WhatsApp group for the three of us and will be conducting weekly video call training sessions to keep them on track and offer guidance as they raise their support.

Tolo from Botswana, serving with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, making a difference in the lives of athletes and coaches. Pictured with his wife and kids.

 Edwards from Kenya with his wife and kids

Impact and Gratitude

The impact of the Bootcamp was powerful. Below are short YouTube videos that give you a glimpse of the Bootcamp's influence, featuring testimonies from a few of the 42 participants.

We want to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to Via Generosity for giving us this opportunity to meet leaders from around the world and be part of their journeys. It was truly wonderful to be among such passionate individuals and to be reminded of our shared purpose in ministry, spreading the Gospel and equipping leaders.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our ministry partners. Your support made our travel and stay comfortable and allowed us to focus entirely on the purpose of the Bootcamp: training leaders. We believe that the same God who is working in us is working in you, and together, as partners, we are able to win souls and equip leaders for Kingdom work. We look forward to continuing our partnership in the future, as we work together to advance the Gospel and support those in ministry.

Transforming Lives in Stellenbosch: The Impact of Our Support Raising Bootcamp in Cape Town, South Africa

Check out the short videos below to get a glimpse of the Bootcamp and hear directly from some of the 42 participants.

Open Mic Videos

Results from Actual Phone Calls During Bootcamp

During the Bootcamp, participants made a series of actual phone calls to practice support raising. Below are the results achieved:

Table 1: 36 total calls, 20 conversations, and 16 appointments scheduled.

Table 2: 13 total calls, 8 conversations, and 8 appointments scheduled.

Table 3: 15 total calls, 11 conversations, and 7 appointments scheduled.

Table 4: 24 total calls, 24 conversations, and 15 appointments scheduled.

Table 5: 25 total calls, 21 conversations, and 20 appointments scheduled.

Table 6: 30 total calls, 18 conversations, and 13 appointments scheduled.

Table 7: 13 total calls, 2 conversations, and 1 appointment scheduled.

Table 8: 37 total calls, 30 conversations, and 27 appointments scheduled.

Totals:

Total Calls Made: 193

Total Conversations Held: 137

Total Appointments Scheduled: 107

This exercise highlighted the importance of effective communication and follow-through in support raising.

Partner with Us to Multiply Kingdom Impact

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:3-5 that it is through partnerships that the gospel advances: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Paul's ministry flourished because of the faithful partnership of the Philippian church. While Paul went out to preach, the church supported him by "holding the ropes." It was the same God working through Paul and the Philippian believers, yet in different roles , one proclaiming the gospel, the other sustaining the mission through their prayers and resources.

Today, God continues to call both laborers and supporters to work together for His kingdom. Is He calling you to partner with us? Your partnership, whether through training or financial support, equips believers to fulfill their God-given roles in ministry.

Imagine the eternal impact we can achieve together:

Training more gospel workers to step out in faith

Reaching communities with the life-transforming message of Christ

Empowering a new generation of missionaries to thrive in their calling

We invite you to become a part of this Kingdom work. You can hold the ropes just as the Philippian church did. By supporting this mission, you are not only obeying God’s call but also becoming a co-laborer in advancing the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Let’s join hands to equip and send more workers into the harvest field. Together, we can make a difference that echoes into eternity. Will you partner with us today?

Contact us to learn more about how you can support or join our training initiatives: vmushimbami47@gmail.com

Praise Items

1. Successful Stellenbosch Bootcamp

Praise God for the fruitful Support Raising Solutions Bootcamp held at the SCAS Center in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together 42 participants from various countries.

2. Global Reach

We celebrate the participation of leaders from across the globe, Egypt, Togo, Angola, Gambia, Peru, Botswana, and more, who are impacting their communities with the Gospel.

3. Effective Training

Thank God for the tools and confidence imparted to ministry leaders to raise support and thrive in their calling.

4. Coaching Opportunities

Grateful for opportunities to coach leaders like Tolo from Botswana and Edwards from Kenya, empowering them to fulfill their ministry goals.

5. Impactful Results

Praise God for the tangible outcomes from phone calls made during the Bootcamp, 137 conversations and 107 scheduled appointments, showcasing the effectiveness of the training.

6. Partnerships

We are thankful for the faithful support of Via Generosity and other ministry partners who made this Bootcamp a reality.

Prayer Requests

1. For the Leaders Trained

Pray that the 42 leaders who attended the Bootcamp will implement the strategies learned and achieve full support for their ministries.

2. Continued Coaching Success

Pray for wisdom, strength, and insight for Victor as he coaches Tolo, Edwards, and others, helping them remain faithful and accountable in their support-raising journey.

3. Multiplication of Ministry Impact

Pray that the training received will ripple out, equipping more leaders to spread the Gospel and transform lives in their communities.

4. Sustainability of Ministry Partnerships

Pray for the strengthening of partnerships to continue equipping ministry workers through future Bootcamps and initiatives.

5. Financial Provision

Pray for adequate resources to support future training events, travel, and coaching, enabling the advancement of Kingdom work.

6. Empowerment of Participants

Ask God to give participants boldness, clarity, and joy as they build their support teams and fulfill their God-given callings.

7. Future Training Opportunities

Pray for open doors to host more Bootcamps in new regions, reaching even more ministry leaders with this life-changing training.