In a recent survey to a segment of Assemblies of God pastors, we found out that 80% of pastors we surveyed preferred getting an email as their first contact with a new missionary.
That being said, here are several samples that may help in sending emails to pastors for potential connection. Notice these emails are all brief, provide ample contact information, and include something like a pastors packet or one-sheet for the pastor’s further reference.
A few tips with emails:
- If they don’t write back within a week, follow up with a quick email. It can say something like this:
- “Hey Pastor Pete, I’m writing in reference to the email that I sent last week. I don’t mean to bug you, but I didn’t know if it got lost in the shuffle or if you saw it. Hope you are having a great week and would love to hear from you if you get a moment to respond! Thank you Pastor!” (include the previous email below as reference)
- If they don’t respond via email, call their office or administrator.
- If they don’t respond via email or the first phone call to the office, try calling again. (and additional times spaced out)
- Try sending a snail-mailed pastors packet and then calling again / emailing again.
- Keep all emails short, sweet and to the point. If you want to share ministry details, do so in an attached one-sheet.
- Stay away from any impression that makes you come across as entitled to hear back from the pastor.
- Feel free to include QR codes or links to your signature at the bottom with more information – like a Link.tree or Epistle newsletter feed.
TO A PASTOR YOU HAVE NOT MET
Hi Pastor Greg,
My name is Jenn Fortner and I am a newly approved Missionary Associate with the Southern Missouri District. I am going overseas for a two year assignment to Estonia with Assemblies of God World Missions on a Live Dead team.
We haven’t had the chance to connect yet but I am emailing to ask if perhaps we could. I would love to buy you a cup of coffee or come and bring one to you at your office. I wouldn’t take too much of your time — but could we somehow connect further and see if there are any ways I could serve your church and share more about missions?
Thank you for taking the time to read and I so appreciate you and 1st Assembly. I’m attaching a quick one-sheet that gives a bit more information about me and the ministry in Estonia, including a brief reference from my home church pastor at Solid Rock in Springfield, MO.
THANK YOU!
Jenn Fortner
Missionary Associate to Estonia
Linktree link
Giving.ag.org/ACCOUNT number
417 619 1111
(ONE SHEET ATTACHED!)
Hi Pastor Will and Missions Board members,
My name is Jenn Fortner. I am a newly approved (and excited!) Missionary Associate to Estonia. I would love to connect with you and your church further about Estonia and the Assemblies of God ministry that I am endeavoring to be a part of. Could we schedule a time to connect further? Whatever works best for you I will find a way to work into my schedule – whether thats Zoom, coffee, or me coming to your office with coffee. Thanks for taking the time to consider! Attached I have a quick one-sheet that gives a bit more information about myself and the ministry in Estonia. I so appreciate you and 1st Assembly of God.
Sincerely,
Jenn Fortner
Missionary Associate to Estonia
Linktree link
Giving.ag.org/ACCOUNT number
417 619 2430
(ONE SHEET ATTACHED)
TO A PASTOR YOU JUST MET
Hi Pastor Pete!
It was so good meeting you at the recent District Council in April. To remind you – my name is Jenn Fortner and I am a Missionary Associate to Estonia for a two year term with Assemblies of God World Missions. Thanks for taking the time to connect further and being willing to set something up. I am writing for that reason! Could we find a time to connect further in the next couple of weeks? I would be happy to travel to your office and buy you a cup of coffee, Zoom, or even just speak over the phone. I don’t want to take up too much of your time but would love to share with you some details on Estonia and see if there are any opportunities to serve your church and connect further.
Thanks for taking the time Pastor Pete. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Jenn Fortner
Missionary Associate to Estonia
Linktree link
Giving.ag.org/ACCOUNT number
417 619 6455
Financial Partnership Development 