Short Term Missions Manual C3

Foreword
"If God put the same demands on us that we put on each other, none of us would get to heaven." Chuck Swindoll

I.

Introduction How do you fit into mission?

This book is a work intended to be an educational tool for participants at all levels, as much as it is a guide or road map for those tasked with the prospect of leading. It is not nor can any book of this nature be an all-inclusive and final work on the subject of mission. What it is and hopefully will be received as, is one method of pursuing mission and evangelism: a bundling of ideas, processes, and considerations with the sole aim of assisting those who are actively pursuing the lead of the Holy Spirit and seeking to be obedient to the command that God has given to each believer. It has been said that relative to the idea of mission, that there are three types of Christians; 1. Goers those who actually go and do the work. 2. Senders those who feel their best gifting is prayer and providing support to enable the goers. 3. The disobedient those who fail to recognize or willfully deny their own responsibility to be either a goer or a sender. Whether we choose to believe this precept or not does not change or provide a way to avoid its truth. But to do nothing is never the right decision. Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. There is not distinction here regarding an option to not participate. We are all called to be a part of mission. That part can is frequently is different for each person, it is never the less each believers responsibility to participate in whatever way God has gifted them in whatever capacity they feel led. The issue is participation and inclusion. In so doing, He works through each person, with sufficient grace to accomplish what they have been tasked to do. Each task is a part of the bigger Rev 03 08/01/2013

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purpose, which is to serve Him, trust in Him, and believe in Him to accomplish what He will in our lives and cause to bring about His Global Plan of Redemption of all peoples in the world. Many people generously give of their time in their local town and neighborhoods. This is just as much a part of the mission as it is to go to a distant away land. And with the globalization that has come to almost complete fruition in the past ten years, you could almost just as easily speak with a person from a distant land who has moved into your neighborhood and has never heard the good news of our Lord.

Why should we go?

This book is intended to be of assistance to those who, after having prayed and studied and believed, have chosen to pick-up the standard of Truth and obediently do what is within their power to either go or to send. It should be considered as a guide whose basic guidelines should be considered when taking on the task of mission while always seeking direction from God on what to do, Jesus on how to do it, and the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. For all are part and necessary to complete this work and to complete it well. For we bring nothing to the table without them we can do nothing. Our entire purpose and direction should be based on the word for wisdom, knowledge and direction and deed for the method, process and destination. It is the intent of this book to be a starting point only, and that those who utilize it will consider the information and applying common sense, but always knowing the truth. The Truth can overcome the facts of this world, but the facts can never overcome the Truth. If we are told to something, regardless of how insurmountable it is, if it is from God it will succeed according to His will. We must always recall this. To see firsthand accounts all we have to do is read the bible to see the great accomplishments that God can do when His people are obedient. Take Noah for example. God told him to build a boat, not just any boat but a huge boat. And we must know that all of his neighbors and even his family were making fun of him. But Noah new that if God told him to do it, even in humiliation and great personal risk there was a reason. Just imagine what it must have felt like to be him on the day the rain began to fall and God told him this is it. Or when God came to Moses and said go to the Pharaoh and tell him to let my people go. At that point Moses was just a shepherd, it was some 40 years since he had been to Egypt and he was not very popular there. But God knew and finally Moses was obedient. Imagine Joseph being sold off into slavery by his own brothers. Joseph was a faithful young man who believed and he did cry out to God. He was imprisoned falsely and left on his own even after helping the cup bearer of the Pharaoh, yet he knew there must be purpose in what he did. He lived by example to those around him and came into favor with the head of the prison. Then of course we cant leave out Jonah. God told him to go to Nineveh to tell the people to repent. And these are just a few of the examples we have been given by God to show us how to act and who He is. Now consider yourself. If you are reading this, then you have probably been put into a position to go forth and do something that may seem too daunting to complete. Possibly you feel this way because you have little or no formal

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training. But we must remember that our entire lives have been taken into consideration. Everything you have been exposed to can be of some help in accomplishing the task you have been given. So what does this mean? Acts 1:8 tells us we will receive the power of the Holy Spirit and then we are to go. When we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, when we become believers, we assume the same responsibility as all believers. This includes not only career ministry workers but lay workers and all members of the Church Body. As one we stand with Christ to be used in accomplishing His global plan of redemption. We are to go. We are to participate. But we are to do this not in our own strength but in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. God is not concerned with whether we have been to seminary or have led exemplary lives, His command was to go and in so doing He imparts the power and grace necessary to accomplish His will. His requirement is obedience, to be available, and in our humility and deference to Him, we are used. I have often heard people say that they dont know the bible well enough. People are afraid to speak in front of a group and use this as a reason. There are a multitude of excuses or reasons as people like to believe, why they do not participate in what is a most basic command of the very God they choose to trust in. Fear may be one of the single biggest reasons that people really use but they mask it with other reasons. And truthfully a healthy fear can keep us from danger in some instances, but if we allow this to become the reason for not going then we show our lack of faith in Him and His promise. But when this fear is centered on our personal loss of something or even our lives, then we should step back and evaluate our faith and call as a Christian. Consider Luke 12:2226, 32-34. Jesus is reminding the apostles and each one of us, that the things of this world are temporal and will always fade away but that we are to build up our treasures in heaven. What this means is that we are to put ALL of our faith in God the Father who has laid the plans for the foundation of the world, Jesus the Son who mediates for us, and the Holy Spirit who empowers us to accomplish all things according to His purpose. To be clear, this does not mean that we each person is required to go the jungle or to foreign lands, but rather that each person has a part, a God given command to do whatever it is that can be done. We each know what this part is, we just choose to ignore it, succumb to the rational way of thinking that someone else will do it. There was a man I know very well who is a Christian. He has been listening about mission and one day felt he should go. He was prepared because God had prepared him. A new believer, he did not have a large knowledge of theology, doctrine or repertoire of verses stored in memory. He was just a regular guy who felt he wanted to go. About two weeks prior to a trip the man backed out. His reason was that he began to doubt his ability. His wife had pointed out to him several times that there was not much he could since he didnt really know anything. We must all be on our guard continually for the devil can use anyone to mislead us. The issue was never whether he was spiritually knowledgeable; it was whether he was willing to be used. He failed to follow the spirit not because of fear for himself but of fear in his own ability. Our strength lies not in our own ability, knowledge, desire, money, social status, or even education and especially not because we are Americans. Our strength is in the Lord who created all things and that includes us. And if He created us, isnt does it not then stand to reason that He might Rev 03 08/01/2013

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know better what is good and right for us than we do? Gen. 1:27 God created man and woman, vs. 31 and God said it was very good. God created each of us and everything in the earth and on the earth. And He pronounced it good. He told Adam and Eve to go and multiply. He gave Adam the responsibility over all of the things He created to care for them, nurture and watch over them. God had a plan then and it remains in place today. We are each called to be obedient, to submit ourselves to Him, a holy sacrifice not so that we can have a good life. Yes there is nothing wrong with having things but when those things begin to override our responsibility they become our god. God put us here to serve Him, to glorify His name, and to accomplish His plan not ours. So we must each ask ourselves if we are doing His plan or ours. If we are not participating actively in His plan, we are being disobedient. There is no middle ground.

How do we know what to do?

And how is it that we do His plan? This simple question or rather not simple question too many of us, can become a stumbling block in itself. The why of mission has already been discussed. We now need to address how do we do mission and what that looks like to each of us? How can we be sure we are fulfilling His commands? How much is enough? At what point do we know for sure that what we are doing is His will or plan? Should we choose this opportunity or wait on another. Is this location safe or do we choose a little more pleasant track? These are each significant questions and there are many more. Most of us will take no issue with them in theory but there is usually one question which if entertained long enough, can become a stumbling block. That question can be different for each person and each person must deal with it. Each person must search his heart and pray for guidance to reach a final resolution but in the end, we must deal with all of the questions. So lets break each one down individually. It happens all the time in the church, (I am speaking of the church globally here.) that members see there are those who are better off than they are and feel that those with the money should provide.

II.

Why Short Term Missions: A Brief History and Justification

Over the past several decades, the face of mission began to publicly exhibit many of the things that had been brewing below the surface and on the minds of many career missionaries. There has in some areas been a tension between the two groups, each claiming to have a significant work that is necessary while not always giving full recognition to the others work. By far though, the career missionary has taken center stage and for good reason. It has not been until the past 40 years or so that the short term concept has been evolving into a viable and significant movement in carrying out the work that we are all called to do in His name.

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A career missionary in the hierarchy of the Church has often been considered at the top of the pyramid of holiness, followed by pastors, elders and other church leaders and then the members. This seems to be based on the idea that the concept of mission is to go to the distant jungles and live at great risk to life and limb all for the Glory of God. It is a selfless endeavor though not necessarily biblical in truth.

III.

Choosing a Trip Things to consider

Effecting work of any kind to any place is a work of grace and we must always be sure we are doing so according to biblical principles and take the appropriate measures to ensure reasonable precautions are in place. Reasonable caution should not be considered low risk/no risk but should embrace the idea that adequate research is completed to maintain complete transparency with the participants. Each person must understand the issues, risks, and needs as well as conditions so they can individually make their decision to participate. The intention of this section is to lay out in a systematic way the concerns and considerations that should be undertaken when pursuing a project. A significant premise to serving on the mission field is a solid understanding of the call that God had given to every believer. But it is equally significant to understand what the mission field is and how we can each serve. So you should ask yourself and all participants. What exactly is their understanding or definition of service. There must be a clear definitive grasp of what it is and what it is not. Service is humbling ourselves to the point of putting everyones needs before our own. It is denying ones rights to be first, comfort and in some cases outward peace and safety. When it comes to mission and the execution of mission in reality there are two types of people, goers, those who actually go and do the work regardless of what the work is, and senders, those who faithfully pray and provide support financially or through other means. Neither is superior to the other on any level either socially or spiritually and it is important that the church and the leaders convey this. No one should act as goer or sender out of guilt but out of a desire to please God and bring honor and glory to Him through obedience. Not everyone is meant to be a goer and that is okay. Your job as a leader is to convey this truth verbally as well as by example. In choosing a project, it is wise to first consider what it is you feel the trip should accomplish as a key starting point. Ask some simple questions. What is the Lord leading you to do? And how do you believe He is leading you to accomplish this task? Once this is determined, it should be followed by where will this task be executed and who if any should you partner with? Is it a onetime event or a group/location that is well suited for continuous returning projects? In other words is this a good fit for your church? If you have no experience in a certain area, it would be better served to either go and do some fact finding reconnaissance, or find a suitable partner organization or person who is currently working in this area. Many trips can go bad when after all of the prep team work is complete and everyone arrives onsite only to find out that work is not what was expected or even worse that the

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theology of the organization you are working with is not in line with your organizational statement of faith. This can be disastrous on many levels. The response to these questions should not be a patent answer but rather one that comes from the heart of a person who has a vision to do something, having sought the will of God and done the appropriate homework. We all have goals and God has instilled in the heart of every believer, a desire and the will to participate, to be a part of what He is doing. When a brother or sister comes with an idea about a project, it may seem too large or to dangerous or too expensive or anyone of dozen to this or that. If God has put something on someones heart they must be able to openly discuss and walk through that vision or idea without fear of condescension. Who are we to be so brash as to pass over or discount what He may have given to someone as their work to serve Him. This is where the need for common theology can come in. A wise person will consider all of the facts before making a decision on what is or is not appropriate. As leaders, we must be open with humble ears to their thoughts for out of those thoughts may come a project that is perfect for the local church to act on even though at first blush it doesnt look so. When presenting such a project for consideration to participants it is very important to remember why people do or do not go on mission trips whether across town or across borders and oceans. One reason may be fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of real or perceived dangers or simply fear of doing something for God. It is your job to reassure them of Gods promises. If they are making inquiry about a trip, chances are that the Holy Spirit has prompted them to be there. The second reason is that someone has told them a story of something that happened on a mission trip that was scary. And while things do happen on occasion, we are not to walk in fear. II Tim 1:7 says For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. We must hold tight to His promise of who we are in Him and not be overcome. So while we should not walk in fear, as leaders we should not present things that focus on the fear inspiring issues but on the love of Christ and the protection and provision He provides and for the call and responsibility we each carry. For if the people who told us had been afraid and not spoken where would we be now? At the same time however, while we are discussing fear and obedience the subject of danger must be dealt with. It is a very real possibility in the world we live in today just as it was in the early church, that there is always a real chance of something going very badly, especially when we are serving the Lord in any capacity. Spiritual warfare is real and ever present but it is real and ever present in our home as well. But, it does not seem reasonable that we should ever make a quick decision to pursue a project without considering the risks, the need and the call with equal importance. That is not to say that the risk should prevent our response to the call but rather that we should be wise stewards and servants. While dying as a martyr may be our path, dying foolishly doesnt help anyone nor does it seem that anywhere in the Bible do we see where God approves of foolish acts. Choose a project only after much prayer and consideration by several brothers and sisters. Practical considerations for a project are next in the list of responsibilities a leader must take. To begin assuming a project has been identified, the leaders should have begun the overall assessment of

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the project. Where will it be? What will we do? What is the weather like? What will we need to bring and what will be provided? These possibilities and many other things is the subject of this section. As you read through the different sections to come begin to think on this level regarding all of the issues and make a list of your concerns. This will better enable you to first assess the trip and second convey the goals of the trip in a clear and thought out way that will instill trust in future participants. Domestic projects are no less important than international trips. Acts 1:8 said we will be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and even to the ends of the earth. In summary Jerusalem, the local community, Judea, a larger region of domestic grouping, Samaria, a neighboring land with people who we may not be particularly fond of personally and the ends of the earth, all of the rest of the world. That pretty well covers it from a biblical perspective, we are to go to all places to all people in for His namesake. But of course also from the first part of the verse, we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. We are not doing this in our own strength but His.

A.

Domestic Project

So you have decided on a domestic project. For reasons of brevity, let us assume that the church leadership has approved this project and you are now in the planning stages. Choosing a domestic trip is not a great deal different from selecting an International trip. The risks spiritually are potentially the same and the major issues are the same. You should as has been noted choose a trip that is consistent with your organizational beliefs. Next define who the key participants are. Is this a youth trip or an all-in trip allowing opportunities for the entire congregation to participate? If a youth trip you will need to engage as a key element chaperones. There should sufficient adult supervision to ensure safety of the participants and have the ability to keep track of each student. If you cannot show this you may have parents who will not allow their child to participate. Next you must engage the parents of children who have an interest. You should lay out the plan for them providing all of the necessary info that will give them the level of comfort necessary to entrust their child to your care. Concurrently you should finalize dates with organization to maximize participation. Unfortunately at this point for a youth trip especially you are looking to satisfy two groups, first the kids and second the parents but not always in that order. If this is an all-in trip, again the main tasks are similar, seek Gods direction. Next seek interest from the congregation by first announcing and then holding an interest meeting. Communication and clear statement of the plan is necessary.

B.

International Trip

An international trip is much the same in terms of organization and should follow the same protocol as the others when it comes to announcements etc. However there are differences. As briefly touched on earlier these trips have varying issues depending on where it is to. Constraints and needs are different if going to anywhere in the Americas than if travelling to a hard to enter country. A hard to enter country is any country which does not allow public proselytizing or sharing of Christian faith openly. Attention to the special needs associated with this type of trip is significant. For instance you do Rev 03 08/01/2013

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not want to post anything in print which is open to the general public regarding specifics of the trip. Do not post anything on the church website and caution members not to make any social media posts regarding the trip. Specifics to avoid are host city, country, ministry partner, housing locations, departure and arrival times as well as return information. An announcement within the church to members who are interested for a meeting is recommended. This announcement should NOT be published in the weekly handout or similar literature. Failure to follow these recommendations can have disastrous effect on the trip outcome. Team members for these types of trips should be vetted ensuring first that each person understands the needs and the requirements to be on the team. They must be willing to make a commitment to comply with these rules. Failure to do so may seem trite in the states but once outside the border they must understand their lack may impact more than just themselves. Participants in this type of project should agree to attendance in no less than (4) team meetings prior to departure for adequate training in the dos and donts as well as training on the culture of the host community and methods of sharing the Gospel successfully in this type of environment. For a non-hard to enter country rules for participation are similar with the obvious difference being the risk of persecution being reduced or non-existent. However team meetings should follow the same protocol. Participants should be willing to understand their lack of knowledge in certain areas and a desire to learn. While all of these things sound laborious and overwhelming possibly they are necessary to effect a successful project. The way they are presented can be adapted according to the team leaders knowledge and experience. Resources for cultural training are available at many online venues as well as most major sending agencies. The International Mission Board (IMB) is an excellent source of information regarding these things and are not sticklers about sharing information with non-baptist organizations. Great care should be taken when choosing this material and an understanding of who the source is and their beliefs is crucial. Distributing the wrong information could potentially be worse than providing none at all. Remember as the team leader you are responsible for ensure the best and most up to date information is available to your team. Many times in other countries the political climate can change within a years time so be sure to check the US Government travel advisories and stay in contact with your host agency or field personnel.

C.

Type of Project

There are many different groups doing mission by doing many different things. At times it seems there may be no particular leading other than a group wants to go on a mission trip. This falls back into the category of defining mission as a check box or task to be marked off on our way to full sanctification.

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This is not consistent with His plan, on any level. God is not a God of confusion or chance. God has a plan and we are to listen and obey to faithfully carry it out. That requires us taking the effort to understand many things. Basic project types fall into two major categories. These are evangelical and humanitarian. Within these two groups there are many sub-groups but defining these is beyond the scope of this document. An evangelical project is one that is defined as having the overt sharing of the Gospel generally in public places, schools, churches, and on occasion in jails and prisons. A humanitarian project is one in which the main thrust is to meet the immediate physical needs of a people while simultaneously either overtly or covertly sharing the reason for the project as a means of building relationship to allow further direct evangelization either by the group or by others who are already present or are to do follow-up work. Regardless of the type of project planning is crucial and must be done responsibility understanding the purpose and necessity of the work all proceeded and concurrent with pray, seeking Gods guidance and wisdom.

D.

Planning the Trip

1. Interest Meeting

Prior to holding the interest meeting there are several things that must be done for a successful project. Failure to follow these simple tasks can make the difference. Before this meeting you should: Have most of the details ironed out. This is true for any trip. Have tentative dates established. Have a realistic projected cost (It is better to be a little high and reduce than to be low and have to increase). Have a quality narrative of the project, where will you be staying, what will you be doing and a description of a typical day. Have provided for at a minimum of (3) pulpit announcements as well as notice placed in the bulletin. This may be the most important thing of all. It is not only required, it is imperative that the trip be endorsed by the Senior Pastor and Staff. Failure to do this will show how much your congregation are sheep. They will follow when led but if not lead they will do nothing generally speaking. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT Trip opportunities and announcements should begin no less than (8) months prior to the departure for two reasons. First, to all people sufficient time to pray and be led to move, second, to allow people sufficient time to fund raise either independently or through the church. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

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2. Team Building Team building has many different meanings to many people. In the context it is used here refer to this definition. It is the process of getting to know each other sufficiently to understand each other's potential strengths and weaknesses while seeking the Lords guidance individually and corporately (within the group) to pray for each other, support each other, and to gain the trust of each other thereby creating the environment of community where each person knows what their roles are and what others roles and being able to carry out those roles. Team building can be done in many ways. As a suggestion there should be ongoing team building meetings once the core group is established. This allows others to come in after the group has begun to jell with one another. As a suggestion, it is advisable to provide a way for everyone to get to know each other. Once the group is established you are ready to hold team meetings. In your first team meeting ask them to each share their testimony with the group. This is a great ice breaker and creates a sense of commonality. This is the first step in building an effective team. Future meetings should include discussions of why each person is participating and what they expect to get out of the trip. In depth discussions should include the project specifics. Try to determine who are the natural leaders within the group. Let the group help pick leaders if needed. Talk about mission and what it means to you. Dialogue is key. The more people communicate with one another the more likely they are to develop relationships and this will be the foundation from which your team is built. 3. Cultural Training

Cultural understanding of the area you are travelling to should always be a major concern to you as a leader as well as to all of the team. Knowing the culture, even if it is only across town or the state, can make the difference between succeeding and failing. Know or at least understand some key words of the language spoken in the project location. Being able to say good morning or thank you shows the people you respect them and their culture. It is a door way into building relationships. Investigate and share with your team these key elements which should include common gestures, dos and donts. Again failure to understand this can kill your witness before you even begin but more importantly you can cause lots of problems for the resident missionary. If you are travelling to a hard to enter country this is even more important. Refrain from using common Christian Speak unless it is approved ahead of time. This can be learned from the local field missionary or organization who should be able to provide sufficient info.

IV.

Development of a Team
A. Choosing Leaders

Choosing a leader may be one of the most difficult choices you can make and it can make the difference between a solid successful trip and a potential disaster. A leader must be of good Christian Rev 03 08/01/2013

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character, not a new believer, and a person who has and can garner respect, not by being overbearing but by listening and influencing through truth and prayer. A leader does not necessarily need to have lead a trip before although this is a key point to look for. He/She must be a person who is not prone to fear easily, not easily excited and be willing to do the necessary homework and make the necessary commitment of time necessary to fulfill the role. It is not a plug and play position although a good leader can make it look that way. There are many other characteristics that can be applied but these should come from the leadership of the church. Final decisions should always be based on prayer.

B.

Enlisting Team Members

Team members should always come first from the congregation and generally should be enlisted on a first come first served basis. They should be given sufficient information to be able to make the kind of long term commitment that is necessary. Enlistment should begin no less than (8) months prior to departure for an international trip. This allows for people to learn about the trip and better assess their calling as well as provide for sufficient time to fund raise. It is the author's position that a team member may not always have to be a Christian but must always be a seeker. Many times a trip is all that is necessary for some people to see where God is leading them. By getting away from their world they are separated from the influences and also are put into a position of trusting Christ for their needs. While this type of member must be considered carefully it should be ruled out immediately for this reason.

V.

Travel Concerns
A. Spiritual Issues and Prayer

You can never say enough about the spiritual aspects of a mission trip. Both the good and the bad. Your team members must know that they are about to actively engage on some level the other side. They are going to be working overtly for the Lord and satan doesn't like this. You need to pray for them and they need to pray for each other. An example of this is given here. "Thank you for your participation. I am really excited to be leading this team and know that God will move through each one of you. Many people wonder what difference they make. I want to assure you that each one of you has a divine appointment and a plan for this trip. I have never been on a single trip that I was not able to look back and see at least one specific person or event in which the Lord used me. Not by anything I am able to do on my own but by simply being obedient and available. And you have each taken that step to be obedient by being available. The first order of business is to pray. Please begin if you have not already done so to pray specifically for the following; 1. Rev 03 08/01/2013 Guidance and wisdom for all involved

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2. For the Holy Spirit to prepare each of our hearts for the work ahead 3. For the Holy Spirit to begin to move among the people we will meet and whose lives we will impact, that their hearts are opened and they will have eyes to see and ears to hear 4. For God to use each one of us according to His will 5. That God will provide provision for all who seek to go 6. For our families who are left at home while we are away. This is a time of great potential spiritual warfare and our families and friends need to be covered in prayers while we are away And finally that God will provide protection and wisdom, safe travels, no lost luggage or problems with customs, good health and safe work while we are there. I will be praying for each of you individually and I encourage each of you to pray for the others as well. Again please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or if any issues arise prior to our departure as this can be a time of real trial in some cases. But remember when these things come up that 1 Jn 4:4 says - Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." It is important to pray for everything as is covered above.

B.

Logistics

Logistics is another term with many meanings. For the sake of this guide it means how you will travel, where you will stay, what you will eat, safety and security. In any travel project logistics will become a key issue. Not just for you but for the participants. People want to know how they will go, will it be by plan or vehicle or some other method? Where will you stay, in a hotel, a house, the local church, or even outside, all of these issues must be clear and without any gray areas. What will you eat, is it similar food to what you eat at home or is more of the local fare? Is it prepared in a restaurant or in people's homes. All of these things matter. And finally, you have to be able to honestly and truthfully relay the safety and security issues of the trip. It must be all laid out so that people know the entire truth. If there is something you don't know, say you don't know. But work to find the answer. In some instances it is going to be a matter of faith but state it. There should never be a sales job regarding logistics. You must know pricing, how much is the trip, what does it cover and are there any other expenses required. Are there vaccinations necessary or special clothing? These things must be worked out prior to having a full blown recruitment to be successful. People considering a mission trip are generally very open as they are already stepping out of their comfort zone. The more honest information you can provide the better off you will be.

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C. Extraction Plan
1. For Civil Conflict or Similar Reasons

This is the thing we don't like to consider. It is the part of mission that no one likes to discuss but in the climate we live in today, it is a consideration that MUST be considered. If you are going on a project that is in a hard to enter country, one that does not allow open evangelism there are a few key things to remember. First never post your destination on your website or even that you are going to a country. You team must be educated and instructed not to make an social media posts as well. It is well documented that some people have been kidnapped by people who are looking for targets by monitoring the web. Prior to departure you should have a plan. Each team member must know what to do and the church leadership should have a public relations designee. There should be one specific contact that you should make. Failure to do so could make your situation worse. You don't want any publicity immediately without knowing the extent of your situation. Contact yourself or give the contact information to those in control of the predetermined person and let them put the plan into action. The insurance carrier you select should have a contact and process for you on this. Let them handle it and always follow all instructions you are given. But remember one thing. You should always consider yourself as on your own. Never take foolish risks or trust people you don't know or have-not been introduced to. When you leave the US border as the leader you are responsible for everyone coming home. Your planning and preparation is the first line of defense in this. First and foremost remember that God is in control, there are no guarantees and you are doing His work. He will provide according to His will. 2. For Health Reasons

Health evacuation is one that will generally always be handled by your insurance carrier. Yes there is travel/health insurance that should always be taken out for any trip abroad unless the organization you are traveling with carries. It is a key question to inquire about. Generally this insurance will provide for local emergency needs and should an evacuation be required it will cover this as well.

D.

If an Incident Occurs
1. Team Member Action

Prior to your departure, a working plan of action should have already been set in place of what to do in the event of a problem. This plan should have been discussed openly with each team member and they should have a solid grasp of not only the potential risks and concerns but also what to do in the event of a problem. Contact information should have been disseminated prior to departure with instruction on who to call and when to call. This plan should cover what to do in the event of a medical emergency. Upon arrival in the location of the project if domestic or at the home base if international, the team leader should have provided local contact info and a call number and name. Each team Rev 03 08/01/2013

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should at all times carry on their person a card with all pertinent information for their use or for the use of others should they be incapacitated. 2. Team Leader Action

The Team Leader is the person in charge and responsible for the health and safety of the entire team. Their safety and wellbeing must always be considered when making decisions on travel changes, deviations on the ground for any reason and more importantly for educating the team on the dos and donts of a trip. He should be thoroughly knowledgeable of the project destination and the intricacies of navigating local concerns to a reasonable degree. The Team Leader should be the first line of care for the team. He should know with a reasonable amount of certainty where each team member is or is planned to be during the project. If the project requires separation of the team into smaller groups, it should be done only when they are paired with a local guide and interpreter where required. A contact for this local person should be verified and in possession of the team leader anytime the groups are split up. Secondly, a team member should not be asked to separate or participate in any effort they do not feel comfortable doing or going to. Small groups should have a designated leader for the duration of the separation. A suggestion is to allow the group to choose its own leader with the acknowledgement of the Team Leader. Small groups and small group leaders should seek to follow the same structure in general terms when working separate from the larger team. The purpose for structure is more relevant in a hard to enter country where personal risk is higher but also to prevent a team member from inadvertently doing something that could compromise the entire team. We must always remember we are guests in a foreign land. Local customs, rules and laws do apply and the Team Leader must keep this at the forefront of meetings reminding the team of why they are there. As missionaries, project participants, tourists, or Christians we must always first remember why we are there and act accordingly. An irresponsible act while it can jeopardize a project and personal safety can have a much greater effect on that local. People see us as ambassadors and in many countries to be an American is to automatically be considered a Christian. Our individual action not only reflects on us as individuals but on how the world perceives Christianity. Our number one job is to spread the good news, not pass judgment on those who are different. Remember when in their country, we are the ones who are strange and different. The Team Leader is responsible for ensuring his team is aware of these issues. 3. Church Action

In the event that something were to occur for example a medical emergency, the Team Leader should make haste to inform the Church back home so they can inform the family of the person involved. Whenever there is a team on a project, there should be at least (2) 24/7 contact phone numbers and contact persons who are willing to commit to be available for the duration. They should always remember that they are the lifeline to the team in the event of a problem. Upon notification of Rev 03 08/01/2013

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an event, this person should first contact the Pastoral Staff and decide who and how the family will be notified but this should be done as quickly as possible to prevent a surprise visit by some external source that can make things more difficult for the family. In the event of a legal problem or a kidnapping, the contact may and probably will come from the organization chosen to assist in these matters by the church. Should something like this happen there are several things that must be considered. First and foremost, the Church must speak to any outside source as one voice. There should be a plan of action and a person designated as the public voice that will handle communication with the media or similar outside sources. The Church should make every effort to shield the family or families of team members who might be involved and contact the remaining team family members as soon as it is know who is involved and the status. Church members should be notified to never speak with the press if they are contacted or to go to the press as this may endanger the participant and make their safe return more difficult. Members should be told to refer all inquiries to the appointed public relations person. This may or may not be the Senior Pastor but must be determined ahead of time. If it is not possible then this selecting this person should be one of the first things that the staff should do.

VI.

Resources
A. Team Leader Resource
Let the Nations Be Glad: the Supremacy of God in Missions by John Piper Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation by Jason Mandryk What is the Mission of the Chruch? by DeYoung & Gilbert Total Church by Timmis & Chester For the City by Carter & Patrick Churches that Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works by Sider, Olsen & Unruh When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself by Steve Corbett, Brian Fikkert, John Perkins and David Platt

VII. On the Field

A. Team Participation

So you have determined that God is moving you to participate on a mission or outreach effort to glorify Him. It seemed like a good thing to do when you signed up. And for many right about now you may be asking yourself, what have I gotten myself into? Well dont panic, it is not new ground and the number one priority after completing the work is ensuring everyone has an exciting experience. However, let us not forget this is not a vacation and it is work, although you may not perceive it as work Rev 03 08/01/2013

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once you begin. It is one of the most fulfilling things you can do and something all believers are called to do. So first let me say welcome. You have chosen to be a part of a bigger picture that extends well beyond your church walls and even beyond your community. In some cases this may be beyond the international boundaries of your homeland for many, it is far beyond your personal comfort zone. That you have chosen to do this is awesome and we are happy that you have chosen to do this with Christ Community Church. If this is not your first time to participate in a similar project, welcome back. This trip should many more new experiences and opportunities to learn. You will find that each time you go, God will provide a new perspective, consideration or emotion that you may not have sensed before. For many, a missional outreach of any kind can, if we allow ourselves to be open, reveals to us a deeper calling on our life into some area of ministry. For some that area may be mission either locally, for others it could be on an international level. If this is your first trip again let me give some assurance that you have NOT made a mistake. You have in fact taken what could be one of the biggest steps toward fulfilling Gods call upon your life. It is very important to understand where each person fits into the plan to both the team and to the individual. No one does mission alone. We are all part of a team though we may be working separately or together, we must always remember that. The actions of one can without intention have a direct impact on others in the team as well as the local agency, church or field missionary that we are working with. So lets discuss what a team is. According to Dictionary.com, a team consists of: 1. A number of persons forming one of the sides in a game or contest. 2. A number of persons associated in some joint action. We are both a number or group of persons forming one side of the ultimate contest, and we are all associated in a joint action. The contest being willing participants answering Gods call to go and reach the lost. The joint action might be considered the combined effort of C3 joining or working with field missionaries to accomplish the greater goal. John 15:4 Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. We can only do this in God's power and will. I Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. Division can destroy any positive work we do. Phili 2:1-3 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. We must always remember, we are here to serve not to be served, to love unconditionally and without judgment, yielding our right to our own wishes over that of others. Rev 03 08/01/2013

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So we must first remember who we are and why we are called. We are not single persons who are seeking to serve. We are each a vital part of the whole and must each work together encouraging each other. When the task becomes heavy, we can know that our burden is not ours and that do nothing for ourselves, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves. By doing this, everyone will return with a deeper knowledge of what happened and how it was accomplished. If we are united in our work we will get more out of it but more importantly, God will smile, both for the work accomplished by the team and for the work done in the individual which is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we step back and rely on Him we can do great and mighty things. B. Dos and Donts

There are many Dos and Donts associated with a project. Dos are things that are consistent in most countries just as here at home. Do be polite. Greet people with a smile. Do conform to local custom when interacting with local people. In some countries it is improper for a man to speak with a woman directly. Be aware and sensitive to these kinds of things. Dont talk politics. Many people around the world love Americans but may have a less than favorable opinion regarding the American Government. This is almost always a sure way to offend someone before you even begin. If you have never travelled outside the US or beyond border towns, you may experience a different attitude toward what some see as American arrogance by simply not embracing the local customs. When considering what to wear, you must always consider the local custom not only of the country but if working with a local church their local Christian custom. For example in America it is becoming more and more common to see women speaking from the pulpit. In Arad, Romania a woman cannot even interpret for a male speaker in some churches. We should not see this is as wrong. It is their way of doing church and we cannot take our culture into their community without potentially doing them harm within their community. It is okay to ask. Do ask before a service or church event, what is appropriate and not appropriate. Do show respect to the local church leadership and respect their position in their community. At all times refrain from use or consumption of ALL tobacco and alcohol products. Whether you believe in Christian liberty or not, these are almost universally never appropriate in most other countries. The same is true of many western ideas. Recall what Paul said in Romans 14. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brothers way.1 And,

The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Ro 14:13.

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It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.2 So rule number one demands that you to think before you speak. Always remember you are a guest. This does not mean that you would ignore poor or wrong theology but teaching theology is generally not the purpose of the trip. It would be far better to exemplify Christ through your actions than through your words.

C.

What not to Expect

Expectations are always a challenge regardless of the most seasoned traveler. Try to limit expectations to what God will do. By approaching it this way you will not be let down as all other expectations are dependent on the work of men. In practical terms do not expect the temperature to be perfect or for the sun to always shine. Do not expect the plans and travel to be on time or comfortable. Dont always expect that the local meetings will start on time like your local church committee meeting and dont be put off by late comers or people who seem disinterested. Try to put yourself in their shoes. A guest has come to visit your church committee. No regular business is to be conducted as this person is going to address your group but does not speak English. After about 30 min. of translation at the end of a 10 or 12 hour work day you might just doze off too. Dont expect people to move out of the way or to give you special privilege though they might. If you dont take any of these expectations along you will not be disappointed. Dont expect everyone to be nice and welcome you into their home. Remember in some parts of the world, they have been told that Americans are bad and Christian Americans are very bad and only wish to change them. Managing the team expectations can be a challenge but with preparation many of these pitfalls can be averted or at least minimized.

D.

What to Expect

While a project undertaken domestically or even locally could be different you should always be prepared for poverty. Americans while being probably the most publically compassionate people in the world are on average much more comfortable talking about helping and sending money than we are at actually rubbing shoulders with those we wish to help. We dont like the sounds, smells or visuals that come with poverty. Expect poverty, raw odors, unclean clothing and homes, then you may be surprised at how well some actually do who live in those conditions. I heard a saying once that went like this, we may be poor, but soap is cheap. You may be very surprised at how clean some can be in such filthy conditions. The point being that if you wish to truly help and be seen as someone who genuinely cares, you must forget where you live, forget yourself, and embrace the people. Many times this is literal. In many
2

Ibid, Ro 14:2022.

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countries men openly embrace and even kiss as a standard form of greeting. Know the local customs so when you are approached you dont repel. People see this for what it is; a feeling of superiority because of position. We must always remember the only difference between us and them is the Grace of God. It is not because we are better. Just as God chose Abraham out of all the people, He did so with a plan which involved Abraham stepping out and going into the world. He was obedient to Gods plan. We were given gifts and blessings beyond any country in the world. Long ago, Scripture knew that God would make non-Jews right with himself by believing in him. He announced the good news ahead of time to Abraham. He said, All nations will be blessed because of you. (Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18) 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham. He was the man of faith.3 These blessings were not given for us to squander but to bless others to accomplish one goal, that of service to the King our Lord. His plan of global redemption will happen with or without us. Choose to be a part of His plan and not your own. Expect people to have fun, to be amazed, and for God to do something that may affect each of us on different levels having memories that will last a life time not only for you but for the people.
8

E.

What now?

Pray. Pray for the people you will meet. Pray that God will open their eyes to see and give them ears to hear His Truth. Pray for your team mates, that they will be strong and courageous as God told Joshua. Pray for safe travel for all, that nothing will be lost and there will be no issues in customs, that we will all arrive safely, with everything we need to fulfill His mission on our lives while we are there. Pray for your family while you are away, for God's protection and guidance in their lives while you are away. This can often be a difficult time of trial for those who do not go as they feel left behind. It can be a time of temptation and trial on many levels. Pray that they too will be strong and courageous. And finally, praise God in your prayers for providing the means and guidance that has allowed you to be a part of His bigger plan.

VIII. After the Trip

A. Debriefing

Following any trip or project there should be a debrief session with all team members if possible. You should ask them to first write their thoughts and submit them separately and then have a group meeting. Open the floor for ideas and response. It should be a time of honest reflection into what occurred and how it affected them. It may be helpful for the leader to start off by first sharing the impact it had on them, share how you appreciated the others participation and investment into the project and how each
3

New International Reader's Version., 1st ed. (Zondervan, 1998), Ga 3:89.

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person made a difference. Try to use real examples of things individuals did not to elevate one over the other but to show how God can move each of us if we are just obedient. Next ask questions regarding the physical and real issues that may have arose. Ask for honest feedback on what might have made the trip better or what were some of the unexpected things. Keep a written list of these issues and work to improve on your program for the next one. Finally don't forget to thank them and pray for them and their work. Let them know if they have questions or troubling issues that arise they should feel free to come an discuss them openly. You must be available for these kinds of things.

B.

What next?

Take what you heard and learned and work to improve your program. Continue to pray and ask for guidance. Begin planning your next trip utilizing any new useful and applicable information/experience you gained from your previous trip. It is never too early to plan.

IX.

Forms
A. B. C. D. E. F. Team Member Application Sample Fundraiser Letter Passport Application Travel/Church Release Team member Testimony Guide Packing List

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