Member Guide

Connect With Lights — what to say when you reach out

Reaching out to a business that isn’t part of your faith community can feel awkward — that little frog in your throat. This guide takes it away. Inside are 18 ready-to-use scripts, a simple posture, and honest answers to the questions people actually ask. Copy one, make it your own, and send it.

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First, a shift in how we see it

It’s easy to think every relationship in the network has to be faith-forward. But life doesn’t work that way — and that belief quietly shuts down the very connections where we could be light. Being salt and light isn’t only a media message; most of the time it’s simply connecting with good people and serving them well. You don’t have to preach. You just have to show up honestly and be useful.

Lead with service, not a pitch

You are not asking for something — you are offering to be useful. “How can we help you?” opens more doors than “will you join us?” ever will.

Be honest about who we are

We are a faith-rooted network — say so plainly. No bait-and-switch. Values-aligned partners respect that we know who we are, and it earns trust instead of costing it.

Not every light is lit the same way

A partner does not have to share our faith to share our values — integrity, community, service. Meeting good people where they are is not a compromise; it is the connection.

Relationship first, results later

The goal of the first message is a conversation, not a contract. Give it time. Warm relationships turn into referrals, sponsorships, and friendships on their own.

The scripts

Inviting a business you already use & trust

When: A vendor or shop you already do business with and respect.

Hi [Name], I’ve been a happy customer of [Business] for a while, and I wanted to reach out for a different reason. I’m part of the Good Light Network — a community of Michigan businesses, churches, and neighbors who look out for one another and try to do good work honestly. We’re building a small list of trusted, values-aligned partners we can point our members to. Your name came to mind because of how you’ve treated me. No cost or catch — I’d just love to introduce you to good people who could use what you do. Could I buy you a coffee and tell you more? Gratefully, [Your name]

The 20-second in-person opener

In person

When: You bump into an owner or manager and want to plant a seed.

“Can I tell you something? The way your team handled [specific thing] really stood out to me. I’m part of a local network — the Good Light Network — that connects good businesses and community folks who want to help each other out. I’d love to include you as a trusted partner and send some good people your way. No strings. Could I follow up with a quick note?”

Cold intro to a business you admire

When: You don’t know them yet, but their reputation fits.

Hi [Name], We haven’t met — I’m [Your name] with the Good Light Network, a Michigan community of businesses, churches, and neighbors who believe in doing good work and looking out for one another. I’ve heard great things about [Business], especially [specific: your community work / craftsmanship / how you treat people]. That’s exactly the kind of character we like to introduce our members to. We’re not selling anything — we’d simply love to connect you with people who could use your services. Open to a short call? Warmly, [Your name]

LinkedIn connection note

When: Connecting with a leader or business owner online.

Hi [Name] — I lead outreach for the Good Light Network, a Michigan community connecting values-driven businesses, churches, and neighbors. Your work at [Business] looks like a great fit for the kind of trusted partners our members ask us about. Would love to connect and share how we might send some good people your way.

Following up after a networking event

When: You met briefly and want to keep it going.

Hi [Name], Great meeting you at [event] — I enjoyed our chat about [topic]. As I mentioned, I’m part of the Good Light Network. We keep a short list of trusted, community-minded partners we point our members to, and I think [Business] would be a natural fit. No pressure at all — I’d just love to grab coffee and hear more about what you’re building. Does next week work? Best, [Your name]

Sponsorship invite to a larger firm

When: A company with a real community-giving budget (like a large builder or firm).

Hi [Name], I’m reaching out from the Good Light Network — a growing Michigan community of churches, faith-based schools, ministries, and local businesses. Many of the very institutions your company already serves are part of our network. We’re inviting a small number of values-aligned companies to come alongside us as Community Partners and sponsors. In practice that means goodwill and visibility with the organizations you’d most want to reach — and a genuine way to invest in the Michigan communities you already care about. Your commitment to [their community program] is exactly the spirit we’re looking for. Could we find 20 minutes to explore whether it’s a fit? Warmly, [Your name]

Event sponsorship ask

When: Inviting a business to underwrite an event or segment.

Hi [Name], We’re hosting [event] on [date] for the Good Light Network community, and we’re inviting a few mission-aligned businesses to help make it possible. Sponsors are recognized warmly to an engaged, appreciative audience — and it’s a real, tangible way to support good work happening right here in [area]. I’d love to share the simple sponsor options. Would you be open to a quick look? Gratefully, [Your name]

Phone script — the “your future clients are already here” angle

Call

When: Calling a vendor whose ideal customers are your members.

“Hi [Name], this is [Your name] with the Good Light Network. Do you have a quick minute? We’re a Michigan community of churches, faith schools, ministries, and local businesses — and honestly, a lot of the folks who need exactly what you do are already part of our network. We’re inviting a few trusted, values-aligned companies to be preferred partners we can point people to. There’s no cost to explore it. I’d just love to tell you how it works and see if it’s a fit. Could I send you a short note and grab 15 minutes this week?”

Preferred-vendor invitation (services fit)

When: A business whose services members regularly need.

Hi [Name], Our members — churches, schools, ministries, and small businesses — regularly ask us who they can trust for [service]. We’d like to be able to point them to you. We’re inviting a small number of dependable, values-aligned companies to join as Preferred Vendors. You’d get warm introductions to organizations that genuinely need your help; they’d get someone they can trust. Any arrangements are always directly between you and them — we simply make the introduction. Could we talk this week? Warmly, [Your name]

Introducing a member need to a vendor

When: A member needs help; you’re making the warm intro.

Hi [Vendor name], One of our Good Light Network members, [Member/Org], is looking for help with [need]. I immediately thought of you because [reason]. I’ve copied them here so you two can connect directly. No obligation on either side — just wanted to put two good people in the same room. Hope it’s a blessing to you both. [Your name]

Recommending a preferred vendor to a fellow member

When: Pointing a church/school/member toward a trusted partner.

Hi [Member name], You mentioned you’re looking for [service]. I’d point you to [Vendor] — they’re one of our Community Partners, and while they’re not a faith-based business, they’ve earned a reputation for integrity and treating people right. I’ll happily make an introduction if that would help. [Your name]

Offering to serve THEM first (be a blessing)

When: You want to give before you ever ask for anything.

Hi [Name], No ask here — just an offer. Our network includes a lot of people who might be a real help to [Business]: [potential customers / skilled folks / community connections]. If there’s ever something you’re looking for — a hire, a connection, a customer — tell me and I’ll see who in our community might fit. We like to give first. Glad to know you. [Your name]

Inviting a partner to give / serve alongside us

When: Inviting them into a volunteer or in-kind opportunity.

Hi [Name], We’re rallying support for [cause/family/ministry], and I know [Business] cares about giving back to [community]. Would you want to be part of it — whether that’s [in-kind help], volunteer hours, or simply spreading the word? No pressure at all. I just know good people like to hear about good opportunities. Gratefully, [Your name]

“Is this a religious thing?”

In person

When: They want to know what they’re signing up for.

“Great question, and I’ll be straight with you: yes, the Good Light Network is faith-rooted — that’s our heart. But being a partner doesn’t require you to share our faith. We partner with values-aligned businesses of all kinds. What we ask is simple: do good work, treat people well. That’s it. We’d value you exactly as you are.”

“What’s the catch? Do I have to sell something?”

In person

When: They’re bracing for an MLM or a hidden fee.

“No catch, and nothing to sell — we’re not that kind of network. There’s no recruiting, no commissions, no downline, none of that. We simply connect trusted businesses with people who need them. Any business you do stays between you and the customer. We just make good introductions.”

“I’m not religious — I’m not sure I fit.”

In person

When: They feel like an outsider to a faith network.

“I hear you, and you’re welcome exactly as you are. We’re not asking you to be anything you’re not — we’re asking because you’re someone we’d trust and want to introduce to good people. Plenty of our partners aren’t faith-based. Shared values are enough. The door’s open, no expectations.”

“Why me / why my company?”

When: They want to know they’re not just on a mass list.

Hi [Name], Fair question. It’s not a mass mailing — you came to mind specifically because [genuine, specific reason: your reputation for X / how you handled Y / your community work]. That’s exactly the character our members trust, and it’s why I reached out to you personally. [Your name]

Thank-you after they help a member

When: A partner came through for someone — close the loop with gratitude.

Hi [Name], I heard how well things went with [Member] — thank you. That’s exactly why we’re glad to know you. You didn’t just do a job; you were a blessing to someone in our community, and that means a lot to us. We’ll keep pointing good people your way. Grateful for you. [Your name]

Asking a partner to share their story

When: Inviting them to be featured (content / spotlight).

Hi [Name], Your story — how [Business] came to be, what you stand for — is one our community would love to hear. Would you be open to us featuring you? It’s a simple, encouraging spotlight, and a nice way for members to get to know the people behind the partners we trust. Totally your call, and we’ll make it easy. Warmly, [Your name]

Re-engaging a contact who went quiet

Text

When: A warm lead you haven’t heard back from.

Hi [Name], it’s [Your name] with the Good Light Network — no pressure at all, just circling back. The offer still stands to introduce you to good people who could use [what they do]. Whenever the timing’s right, I’m here. Hope you’re well!

The relationship-first coffee invite

In person

When: You just want to build the friendship, no agenda.

“No agenda on this one — I’d honestly just like to get to know you and what you’re building. Can I buy you a coffee sometime in the next couple weeks? Good relationships are the whole point of what we do.”

One honest message can start everything

You don’t need the perfect words — just a genuine one. Pick a script, put it in your voice, and reach out to one person this week. That’s how the light travels.

See who’s already a partner