Everything you wanted to know about sponsoring…

…but were afraid to ask

The purpose of the Great Banquet  is to produce leaders for the church. Leadership is developed in serving the Cross Bayou community on a Great Banquet and through one’s service to the guest that one sponsors. Building up the body of Christ and bringing spiritual revitalization to Christians who will, in turn, bring new life and vision to their churches, homes, workplaces and communities is the aim of sponsorship. The Great Banquet is not meant to convert others to Christ, to fix people’s problems, or to reproduce one’s own religious experience. With that in mind, one needs to prayerfully consider who to sponsor. This would include church leaders, active Christians whose own renewal will mean new energy, commitment, and vision to their churches, those who are the quiet backbone of the church they attend, who desire to renew their commitment, who are hungry for “something more”, who want to grow spiritually, who will keep the Great Banquet movement theologically sound and those who will help build a sound, balanced leadership base for their communities.

The first rule of sponsoring is pray, pray, pray. When the Holy Spirit leads you to ask a friend about going on the Great Banquet, show how important it is to you by making an appointment. If you are talking to a married couple, be sure to present the offer to both husband and wife. Great Banquet involvement is not meant to cause any kind of resentment between spouses. Sometimes a reluctant spouse will attend, in order to be supportive of their husband or wife who is eager to attend a Great Banquet. When you meet with your prospective Guest, share your personal experience. Remember there are no secrets in the Great Banquet, only surprises, which are indescribable anyway. Answer any questions you are asked, honestly.

No one’s name can be added to a Great Banquet list until the entire application is complete. This includes the name of the church your guest attends and his or her pastor’s signature (for Awakening only). The cost of the Great Banquet is $180. Scholarships for guests may be available. Applications with a check for the fee, made out to Cross Bayou Community, must be submitted one week prior to the Great Banquet. Don’t delay your guest’s placement by failing to complete the process. 

Gathering the agape letters is another responsibility of the sponsor. As sponsors, one of the most perplexing situations arises when we try to explain to someone what kind of letter we want from them for the guests. You may want to use this example letter as a pattern for your requests for agape letters. Ask a good friend or a relative of your guest to help you with names and addresses of other family members and close friends. Aim for quality rather than quantity. Each guest will be given 12 letters to read. Any letters above 12 are placed in the guest’s closing packets.

It is important for you to pick up your guest, make sure they have eaten, and deliver them to Camp Bethany between 6:30pm and 7pm on the Thursday of the Banquet. Their prompt arrival (but not TOO early or late) is very important for the timing of activities on the first night. At Send-Off, stay with your guest and help them meet others who are attending the same Great Banquet. Bring your agape (letters, food, drinks, pillow and dining room agape) with you to Send-Off. After the guests go to the conference room, sponsors go to Sponsor’s Hour, usually held in the Chapel. You will have the opportunity to hold your guest’s lanyard and cross, and pray for them specifically. Be sure to be at Candlelight and Closing, but remember it is NOT advised for family members who have NOT attended a 3-day event to attend these special moments, so not to increase anticipation for them, should they decide to attend in the future.

As a sponsor, you also have the opportunity to serve your guest’s family during the Great Banquet weekend. You may help with their family, pets, or even their business. Another way the sponsor serves a guest is after the Banquet. Take them to their first 4th Day activities, including the New Guest Orientation/Gathering, 1st Candlelight, etc. Help your guest find or start a reunion group.

FAQs:

How many Guests should I sponsor on one Banquet?

• • Since sponsoring is a big commitment, it is best to only sponsor one guest at a time.

Should I sponsor a guest when serving on the team?

• • You can. However,  you need to make arrangements for someone to take them to supper and then bring them to Camp Bethany on Thursday. If you are a member of the Conference team, have someone go to Sponsor’s hour to pray over the lanyards. Sponsors should always plan to stay for Sponsors hour.

How soon should I sponsor a Guest after my own Great Banquet?

• • You can sponsor a guest for the next Banquet if God has placed that person on your heart to sponsor.

Why are the Great Banquets for men and women separate?

• • It encourages freer discussion and allows single people to feel more included.

I need an example of how to write an agape request letter.

Click here for the template.