CORVALLIS COMMUNITY CHURCH SHORT TERM MISSION(STM) TRIP POLICIES Adopted and approved by the Church Board

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1 CORVALLIS COMMUNITY CHURCH SHORT TERM MISSION(STM) TRIP POLICIES Adopted and approved by the Church Board Corvallis Community Church Short Term Mission Philosophy Corvallis Community Church Missions exists to promote the worship of God locally and worldwide by assisting churches in the Great Commission. Corvallis Community Church Short Term Mission Trip Purpose The purpose of Corvallis Community Church Short Term Mission trips is two-fold: 1. To assist established missionaries who work to glorify God. 2. To cultivate mission-mindedness among the Corvallis Community Church congregation. Corvallis Community Church Definition of a Short Term Mission Trip 1. A Corvallis Community Church sponsored group trip 2. Approved by the church board 3. Of duration of 1 month or less 4. With the goal of fulfilling the Corvallis Community Church Short Term Mission Philosophy. Short Term Mission Trip Selection Criteria 1. All sending missions agencies must: A. Stand in agreement with Corvallis Community Church doctrine B. Have a reputation for integrity and stability, a doctrinal statement which is true to the Word of God and in agreement with that of Corvallis Community Church, sound and open financial policies and practices, and shall provide thoughtful direction to their missionaries. C. Being involved in local church ministry 2. Preference for trip selection will be given to Corvallis Community Church supported missionaries first 3. All STM suggestions must be brought to Mission Committee for review 4. All STM trips must be approved by Corvallis Community Church s Board 1

2 TEAM MEMBERS TEAM MEMBER SELECTION CRITERIA 1. The team member should be a Corvallis Community Church member or regular attendee for 1 year. Special consideration for others will be given by the Mission Committee. 2. Must have an active and obvious commitment to Jesus Christ and desire to share Christ and serve God. 3. Be an ordinary person who is willing to be used by an extraordinary God. 4. Be willing / able to commit the time, effort and money. 5. Be flexible and adaptable. 6. Be qualified and able to do the work required to meet the objectives of short term mission trip. 7. Have completed the application process (including a preliminary testimony and support letter). 8. Have signed the requirements for Corvallis Community Church short term mission applicants. 9. Be committed to sharing ministry experience with the congregation upon return. 10. Has approval of parents if under 18. TEAM LEADERS TEAM LEADER QUALIFICATIONS 1. Be a male member of Corvallis Community Church 2. Must meet all Team Member criteria # Must meet Deacon qualifications in 1Timothy 3:8-13 as listed below: A. Dignity B. Not double tongued C. Not addicted to much wine D. Not fond of sordid gain E. Holding to mystery of faith with a clear conscience F. Above reproach G. Wife s character must be godly H. Husband of one wife I. Good manager of his children and own household 2

3 TEAM LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 1. Set the spiritual tone of the trip(encourage, nurture relationship with team) 2. Confirm all administrative details are handled 3. Manage budget, fund raising and financial matters 4. Communicate with host missionary / national agency. Oversee on-site daily schedule, work assignments and team time (i.e. devotional, prayer and debriefing times, rest, etc.) 5. Know logistical arrangements (travel, lodging, documentation, immunizations) 6. Help plan team preparation and training meetings 7. Hold team members accountable to team to Team Conduct Guidelines 8. Help lead debriefing and one-on-one follow-up 9. Arrange for a report to the whole church 10. Insure the safety of all team members 11. Respond to emergency situations with sound judgement 12. Provide update on trip status at Mission Committee monthly meetings While ultimately responsible for all aspects of the mission trip, the Team Leader must enlist assistants. It is impossible for the Team Leader to do everything. Some areas delegated could be, and not limited to: 1. Financial coordination (budget, support-raising records, other money matters) 2. Spiritual leadership (responsible for devotions, etc.) 3. Coordinators for travel, supplies and documentation 4. Female women s ministry assistant for female participants 5. Prayer coordinator 3

4 FINANCIAL POLICIES Fund raising can provide great opportunity to experience God and see His faithfulness at work. The financing of a mission trip can be faith stretching, and enables us to trust in God s provision. Each team member will, therefore, be responsible for raising his/her funds in order to experience watching God work. 1. The Mission Committee recommends approval of a Short Term Mission trip to the Church Board. If approved by the Church Board then fund raising can begin. 2. Guidelines and training for fundraising will be given to team members 3. Funds for transportation must be raised 2 weeks before ticket purchase date. 4. All funds for STM should try to be reached 1 month before departure date. Support letters should reflect this deadline in them. 5. Church sponsored fund raising projects (car washes, auctions, bake sales, etc.) should be pre-approved by the Mission Committee prior to start of the fund raising activity. 6. Short Term Mission Trip funds to be raised will be deposited in a special account to be opened by the Church Treasurer. A trip account will be set up by the Church Treasurer after Mission Committee and Church Board approval. Individual member accounts will be set up under the trip account. 7. Funds raised by individual team members will be deposited in the Short Term Mission Trip fund but credited to the individual and used for expenses. 8. Funds that are raised above an individual s financial needs may be used in 1 of 2 ways: 1. Additional funds may be sent to the approved non-profit organization which is sponsoring the STM trip. 2. The additional funds may be given to another trip member who is lacking in funds. 9. Corvallis Community Church youth may request help from the Missions Committee out of the Youth Mission Trip fund up to an approved limit. 10. All raised, gifted funds are to be spent only on necessary, related items, such as: airfare, assigned hotel, snack money, guest house gift, airport taxes, taxi cabs, tips, group food money, etc. Money for souvenirs and side trips should come from the participants personal funds, and not be collected or distributed through the church. Reimbursement will not be made for any articles left at/with the Mission organization. 4

5 REQUIREMENTS FOR CORVALLIS COMMUNITY CHURCH SHORT TERM MISSION TRIP APPLICANTS 1) Individual must confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 2) Individual must have a passion for Christ and compassion for the lost. 3) Individual must have a desire to serve the Lord and people. 4) Individual must have a desire to share the Gospel. 5) Individual must be a member or regularly attends Corvallis Community Church for at least one year. 6) Individual must be able to adapt to new environments and cultures. 7) Individual must have a spirit of cooperation and flexibility. 8) Individual will be expected to attend pre-trip training sessions and prayer meetings. 9) Individual must complete the application form and submit all supporting documents by the deadline set by the Missions Committee. 10) Individual will be responsible for raising the designated financial support for the trip by the established deadline. 11) Applicant must abide by all final decisions of the Missions Committee. He or she must submit to the supervision of the team leader, who is accountable to the Mission Committee. 12) Individual must participate in the debriefing meeting and presentation. 13) Individual must be willing to share experiences with Corvallis Community Church. congregation. 14) Individual is encouraged to send a written report and thank you to supporters. I,, hereby agree to the above statements and submit to the leadership of the Missions Committee, to keep me accountable and trust that God will work through my commitment to this short term missions team, for the duration of the entire pre-field, field and post-field experience. Date: Signature: 5

6 CORVALLIS COMMUNITY CHURCH SHORT TERM MISSION TRIP APPLICATION FORM Which Short Term Mission I am applying for: Name: Last First Middle Permanent Address: Street City State Zip Code Phone Number: Address: Current Address (if different from above): Street City State Zip Code Phone Number: Gender: Male Current Status: Single Widow Divorced Female Married Widower 6

7 Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Passport (country) Passport Number: Expiration Date of Passport: Place of Citizenship: United States Contact Information in Case of Emergency: Name: Relationship to you: Address: Daytime Phone: Evening Phone: Cell Phone: Are you a student? Yes Name of School: What year of study are you in? Are you a working professional? Yes Profession: Place of Employment: Languages spoken other than English and describe fluency: Are you a Christian? Yes Were you Baptized? Yes 7

8 Where (name of church): Do you attend Corvallis Community Church regularly? Yes How long have you been attending CCC? (years/months) Are you a member of Corvallis Community Church? Yes ESSAY QUESTIONS Please answer the following questions. You may attach a separate sheet if you desire. 1 What areas of ministry are/were you involved in at CCC or at your previous church? 2. What are your spiritual gifts and how are you using them right now? 3. Are you comfortable doing one-on-one evangelism? What are some of the Scripture verses that you use? 8

9 4. Describe your ministry skills and experience in the following areas: Leading Bible Study: Discipleship: Music: Teaching: Children s or Youth Ministries: Other: 5. Have you been on a short term missions trip before? When? Where? What kind of ministry did you do there? 6. Why do you want to participate in this year s short term missions project? 9

10 7. Would you want to be considered for position of Team Leader? If so, Why? 9. Concisely describe the beginning and development of your faith and its impact on your life? 10. Describe any concerns you may have and prayer requests about going on this trip. I understand that I am required to abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the Corvallis Community Church, and specifically to the following: a) to attending all team training and prayer meetings b) to submit myself to CCC as the sending authority and abide by the Short Term Missions policy and procedures c) to present a report of the trip within 30 days of returning from the trip. (Signature) Date: 10