Answers
DO YOU HAVE TO BE A SOUTHERN BAPTIST TO GO ON A TRIP?
Yes. You must be an active member of a Southern Baptist church. However, non-Southern Baptist individuals may participate on a team or project that is made up of a majority of Southern Baptist participants pending field personnel approval.
HOW DO I PREPARE MYSELF PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY?
- Read the Bible every day.
- Pray daily for missionaries (both in America and in foreign countries).
- Pray for God to prepare you and to guide you in your decision.
- Learn all you can about missions- check out books about Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong (ask your missions leader for assistance), and read up on the present day missionaries.
- Do your best in school.
- Take care of your body by eating well, sleeping and exercising properly.
- Talk to missionaries when you have an opportunity.
- Attend church regularly.
- Give your tithe to church, but also set aside a little extra for special missions offerings.
- Talk with your parents, pastor, youth leader, and Sunday School teachers about your interest in going overseas.
- Help people in your community and share your testimony.
AM I REQUIRED TO HAVE THE INSURANCE YOU OFFER?
Yes! The International Mission Board requires that all volunteers be covered by a secondary insurance policy The chosen insurance carrier provides the greatest amount of coverage for the least amount of money of any U.S. insurance company that provides international coverage.
DO WE GET TO CHOOSE WHICH PROJECT WE WILL GO TO?
Of course! Pray! Hear from God! Then list your top three choices on the registration form! Opportunities for individuals may be limited so individual students must contact the IWC office before attempting to register.
ARE ANY PROJECTS OPEN TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS?
Yes! Some projects are open to individual students. Individual students are required to complete a detailed application, list personal references and complete a pre-project study. All individuals will be assigned to a group with appropriate supervision. Project cost for an individual may be higher than that listed for group registration.
WHAT IS THE REQUIRED COUNSELOR TO STUDENT RATIO FOR GROUPS?
Each group is required to bring at least one adult (21 years or older) for every five students of the same sex. These adults will participate along with their students.
ARE PASSPORTS REQUIRED FOR ALL TRIPS?
Yes! We require that participants in ALL projects carry a valid, U.S. passport This passport can not expire within six months of the project's last day.
Passport applications and passport renewal applications are available from your local post office or the applications can be printed from travel.state.gov/passport_services.html To apply for a passport, individuals are required to submit a copy of their birth certificate and two passport photos.
WHERE DO I GET PASSPORT PHOTOS?
Passport photos are available at AAA travel bureaus, most Kinko's copy centers, and photo studios such as Sears, along with several other sites. Look in the "Yellow Pages" under "Passport" for a list of locations near you that provide passport photos.
WHAT IS A VISA?
A visa is a document stamped in your passport that gives you permission to enter a specific country. Some countries require visas while others do not.
WHO WILL TELL US THE CORRECT VISA TO GET AND WHERE TO GET IT?
Your travel agent will provide you this information and may assist you in applying for it. Sometimes, tourist can apply for visas in the airport once you have arrived in the country. Again, the assigned travel agent will provide you this information.
DO WE MAKE OUR OWN TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS?
We do ask you to make your own travel arrangements, however we can provide you with a list of some agencies we recommend.
DO I HAVE TO GET THE REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS?
Yes! We require that all participants have a current tetanus booster and a hepatitis "A" vaccination. Depending on the location of your project, other vaccinations may be required. Necessary immunizations for the country in which you will serve are listed at www.imb.org/medinfo.
SHOULD I TAKE CASH, TRAVELER'S CHECKS, A CREDIT CARD OR AN "ATM" CARD?
Cash is always the easiest to convert to a different currency, but if it is stolen, it cannot be recovered. Traveler's checks can be recouped if lost or stolen, but sometimes it is difficult to find a place to convert them or a "fee" will be applied to their use. ATM cards can be used in most larger cities to receive local currency. Major credit cards are acceptable in most locations, but credit card companies often charge a small transaction fee for their international use. Credit cards are good for most store and restaurant purchases. After speaking with the missionary, your group leader will be able to let you know what is recommended for your particular location.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO WILL BE GOING ON THE MISSION TRIPS?
Unfortunately, no. Please check out some suggestions for raising the required money
ANY AGE LIMITS?
You must be at least 15 or have completed the 9th grade by the date you leave on the trip.
ANY EXPERIENCE OR BACKGROUND REQUIRED?
The missionaries are requesting sincere, maturing Christians. You need to be confident in speaking with other people in order to share the gospel. You also need to be open to other cultures. The experience should match the project. For example, if you can't sing, it wouldn't be a good idea to choose a project that requests a choir. While at the same time, if you don't know how to do carpentry, that can be worked around - just be certain that the project you choose is one that you are interested in and the one that God is calling you towards.
WHAT IS THE COST?
The cost of the trip varies. You should not expect to join in a project for less than $1,200.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Once you decide you are interested and have at least one adult who is willing to go with you (over the age of 21), you have formed a group. It's more fun and rewarding if you can get a larger group. The next step would be to contact June Odom in the Youth Mobilization Department at the IMB; she will then send you all the necessary information.
WHAT'S MY FIRST STEP?
PRAYER. Be certain that the project you are choosing is the one God is leading you towards.
WHO'S IN CHARGE?
Once all the arrangements are made, your group leader (adult chaperone) will be in charge of making all the travel arrangements as well as finalizing everything with the missionaries themselves. We do provide you with some suggested travel agents that will find you the best deals.
WILL I BE REQUIRED TO KNOW THE LANGUAGE?
The missionaries do a wonderful job of providing interpreters, however, certain projects will request youth who know another language.
HOW DO I GET MORE INFO?
E-mail: thetask@imb.org |
