Northeast Support Raising Training

A Biblical Approach to Successful Ministry Partner Development

March 27-28, 2026 | Charlottesville, VA

Register

This two day seminar is for any Chi Alpha staff needing to strengthen their fundraising skills; people heading into a Campus Missionary in Training (CMIT) program; people preparing for a “Give a Year” as an MA; or anyone who has never received training in raising funds for mission service. You’ll gain a Biblical perspective on building a team of prayer and financial partners and learn how to connect with and mobilize the partners needed to accomplish the mission you are passionate about.

DATES Friday, March 27 - Friday, March 28, 2026 (Friday 1-10pm, Saturday 9am-10pm)

LOCATION University Baptist Church (1223 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903)

COST $90 per person (Nonrefundable and nontransferable)

PRE-SEMINAR WORK This seminar is built on each participating completing the pre-work. You should plan on 12 hours to complete the pre-work. If you do not complete the pre-work, you will be asked not to attend. Your pre-work has two parts:

Part 1: Testimonies and presentation (2 hours)

Click for instructions. Your personal and ministry testimonies are due by 9pm ET on Saturday, March 14.

Part 2: Vertical Support Raising (10 hours)

You will be contacted by our faculty about signing up for Vertical Support Raising to access the remaining assignments. There is a $20 fee. Part 2 is due by 11pm ET on Sunday, March 22.

Registration closes at 11:59pm on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Details

  • Participants will be hosted by local Chi Alpha students. Once arrangements are made, the host will contact you to provide info about where you are staying, what to bring, and where to park.

  • You are responsible for lunch and dinner both days. Breakfast will be determined by your host.

  • Charlottesville is accessible by Greyhound Bus, Amtrak, and airline service. If you are traveling by bus, train or plane and you want to be picked up, email your arrival and departure times, along with carrier and appropriate numbers to Mike Olejarz (mikeolejarz@gmail.com).

    Parking is available for a daily fee at garages on/near campus and near University Baptist Church. Parking is not available at University Baptist Church.

  • The SRT weekend is built on each participant completing the pre-work. You must have all VSR pre-work completed by 11PM EST on Sunday, March 22. Failure to complete the pre-work will mean you will be asked not to attend.

  • Plan to arrive at the University Baptist Church by 12:30pm on Friday to check in. Please note that lunch and dinner are on your own “on both days.”

    The training will conclude at 10pm on Saturday.

Faculty

  • Maddie graduated from the University of Virginia in 2020 with a degree in Kinesiology and Religious Studies. While at UVA, Maddie experienced the Lord in transformative ways through community and discipleship in Chi Alpha. Following graduation, she jumped into the internship, planning to serve a year before heading to graduate school. However, she fell in love with working with college students during an important time in their lives. Believing God had more for her in Charlottesville, she joined the UVA staff the following fall. In her free time, you can find Maddie sipping Shenandoah Joe’s coffee, hanging with her friends, or playing soccer!

  • Mike and his wife, Jen, have more than 40 years of campus ministry experience between them. They love working together and hanging out with their 3 boys — Sam, Levi & Nate. He also loves running and a good cup of coffee. Mike is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry in Discipleship at Biola University.

  • Mike has served on staff with Chi Alpha since 1982. He started following Jesus as a student at Ohio University in the late 1970's due to the influence of other college students. He has served with Chi Alpha at the campus level in Ohio and Boston, MA, as well as in state, regional, and national leadership. Mike currently serves as a National Training Specialist, aka, as the "Gandalf of Chi Alpha (see The Lord of the Rings)," bringing good cheer, training, and resource to Chi Alpha missionaries. He is also the original creator of support raising training for Chi Alpha Campus Ministries.

    Mike is a graduate of Ohio University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In his spare time, Mike enjoys reading Jack Reacher books, Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and Vince Flynn spy thrillers, playing racquetball and golf, and watching his favorite TV show, Fixer to Fabulous on HGTV. Mike lives in Charlottesville, VA. His wife Barbara died on March 13, 2025 after a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. They were married for 42.5 years. They have two grown children, Sarah and Joshua.

  • "One of the first things we talked was how support raising is Biblical. Support raising was my biggest fear because I was scared of asking people for money. I felt reassured that asking people to support me financially is not a burden, but an opportunity to invite someone to partner with you in your calling to campus ministry. This completely reframed how I viewed support-raising!

    Melody Day (UVA ‘23, CMIT ‘24)

  • "Attending Support Raising Training gave me critical tools and connections for my support raising journey. I'm thankful for the wisdom and training that I am still using to this day!"

    TJ Schaefer (Edinboro ‘16, CMIT ‘16)

Support Raising Resources

Questions?

Mike Olejarz
mikeolejarz@gmail.com
(617)-750-6334