Word of Life CROSS CULTURAL INTERNSHIP 2014-2017 Handbook 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3: A letter from the Student Missions Coordinator Page 4: Requirements and Expectations for the Internship Pages 5-6: Journey to the Field Page 7: Timeline of the Cross Cultural Internship Program Pages 8-10: Detailed Overview of the Internship Pages 11-12: Current Opportunities Page 13: Support Raising and Budgets Pages 14-15: Online Education and Scholarships Pages 10-11, Liberty Online University and Baptist Bible College details 2
Dear WOLBI Sophomore, We are excited to present the Cross Cultural Internship (CCI)! This is an incredible opportunity for you to take the next 2 years of your life and invest them into missions using the things God has taught you at the Word of Life Bible Institute (WOLBI) and putting them into practical use on the mission field. This internship is a way to minster under and alongside missionaries and nationals, as well as take the time to learn about the culture, language and people of that country. CCI also provides an opportunity for you to finish your degree at a discounted rate through Liberty University or Baptist Bible College online. This could be an avenue that the Lord uses to launch you into a lifetime pursuit of missions - the momentum of the Gospel! You will find more info on the pages ahead to give you an overview of the program as well as a timeline of what you could expect as a CCI intern. We are praying that the Lord will raise up young men and women to partner with Word of Life around the world! For His Glory! Matthew Melville Student Missions Coordinator Word of Life International Ministries 518-494-6361 mattm@wol.org 3
REQUIREMENTS & EXPECTATIONS Be a WOLBI 1st & 2nd year graduate Be a faithful attendee at a local church (while support raising and on the field), and have the support of its leadership Be committed to Evangelism Be committed to serving 2 years Be committed to raising 100% support, both prayer & financial Be committed to pursuing your online degree during your internship (Minimum of 6 credit hours per semester) Be committed to personal, spiritual growth Be committed to personal discipline in the areas of physical and emotional health Be single or married without children (each spouse must be a full-time participant) Have a sense of God s leading in this direction Be able to meet all the date requirements (without exception) 4
JOURNEY TO THE FIELD: CROSS CULTURAL INTERNSHIP JOURNEY TO THE FIELD: CROSS CULTURAL INTERNSHIP (CCI) Talk with your pastor & Church Seek godly advice from parents & mentors Pray & discern God's call for your life. Interest Apply Attend orientation, May 18,2015 Graduate from Word of Life Complete CCI application Complete preliminary interview process Pass preliminary acceptance Have final evaluation during Missions Reality Bible Institute 2nd year program, August 23, 2015 Attend training week, August 24-28, 2015 Train Pre-Field Build a support team Begin language studies Engage in your home church Begin online education Obtain 100% support by December 2015 Attend Missions Conference, January 11-17, 2016 Leave for the field, January 19, 2016 Departure CCI FAST FACTS Since 2011... Around the world... Education matters... 70 students have been sent out, 47 of which are currently on the field, with 33 graduates 6 are now full-time missionaries 24 countries are currently accepting interns with new fields opening up each year The majority of interns complete their Bachelor's degree during the internship (or within the first semester following graduation from the internship) Most incur a school bill below $4,000 for 2 years of college education THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO COME IN AFTER SCHOOL AND PLAY GAMES, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND TEACH SOME BASIC ENGLISH AND BIBLE TO THESE KIDS IS PRICELESS. -ASHLEY B., 5
WHAT WE DO EVERY FIELD HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS, WHERE MIGHT GOD USE YOU? LOCAL CHURCH Church planting, Bible Clubs EVANGELISM Sports Outreach, VBS, Dramas PRACTICAL Audio/visual, Construction projects, English secretary EDUCATION TESL, Christian School CAMPS Summer, Winter, Bilingual DISCIPLESHIP Seeking to be discipled and to disciple others WHERE WE ARE North America: Quebec; Central America: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama; South America: Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia; Africa: Uganda, South Africa; Europe: Poland, Germany, Hungary, France, Spain, Portugal; Asia: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines; Pacific Rim: New Zealand; Caribbean: Dominican Republic, Bermuda HOW DO I SIGN UP? (518)494-6361 MISSIONS@WOL.ORG MISSIONS.WOL.ORG/INTERNS 6
DETAILED CCI TIMELINE: FROM 2 ND YEAR TO INTERNSHIP COMPLETION Apply Interview Ready Set Go Return Deadline: January 31, 2015 February - April, 2015 May 18, 2015 August 24-28, 2015 January 11-17, 2016 January, 2018 Acceptance Preparation Support Raising Departure Debrief BI references Write 1st support/prayer letter Train- August 24-28, 2015 Transition to the field - personal plan Graduate with Bachelor's Degree Interview with IM staff Set up mailing list Turn in accountability Reports Split sessions Evaluation Interviews Field/destination approval Support Tools Training Start online classes Intern Reunion & Brainstorming Evaluate next steps Missions Reality evaluation Register for classes Start "Crosscultural" book study Commissioning at WOLBI Missions Conference Intern Reunion & Brainstorming Acceptance Depart for the field- January 19, 2016 WOLBI Missions Conference Apply to online degree programs 7
CROSS CULTURAL INTERNSHIP: A DETAILED OVERVIEW Apply: Students who are interested in the program will be given an account to complete the online application. They will also be given reference forms for their pastor and a parent to complete. The application and references will then be reviewed by the International Ministries staff. Interview: Bible Institute References: During the spring semester, references from the Bible Institute (BI) staff will be acquired. Based on their recommendations, we will proceed with your application accordingly. Students will not be accepted into the internship program without BI staff approval. Interview with International Ministries Staff: Those who receive positive recommendations from the BI will be called in for a series of interviews with a panel of staff members. This will be an opportunity for you to share your heart for the ministry and your skills! Field destination and approval: For those who are tentatively accepted, following the staff interviews, we will begin discussing with the Field Missionaries what their needs are, qualifications for those coming to serve alongside them, and budgeting. We will strive to work with the student and the field to get the best "match"! Missions Reality Evaluation: Missions Reality (MR) will be a great opportunity for our staff to observe you on the field and in ministry! Acceptance: Pending a positive review from MR staff, students will receive notice of "final acceptance". Online Education: Attendance in online classes (6 credit hours per semester) is required during the internship. Students should plan on applying to the school of their choice during the Spring Semester of their second year at the Bible Institute. Ready: Write 1st Prayer/Support Letter: One of the major goals during the first training session will be to write and mail your first prayer/support letter. Interns will receive training and instruction on how to best communicate with potential supporters. Set up mailing list: As part of the training, you will compile addresses of potential supporters into a mailing list. These will be used for your prayer/support letter mailings. Training in Support Tools: There are several key tools that interns will have access to in their support raising process. We will take some time to explain how to use them and fully equip interns with items such as an online giving site, a personal webpage on the Word of Life site, and a support raising account that tracks gifts and donors. 8
Ready, cont.: Register for online classes: Immediately after 2nd Year Graduation, students will begin the process of registering for classes, ordering textbooks, and completing Financial Aid in preparation for the start of classes. Set: Training: Immediately following 2nd year graduation, interns will have a week of training at the Word of Life Bible Institute property. We will bring in a special speaker who provides 2 full days of support raising intensive training consisting of fun, fellowship, prayer, and finalizing details. By the end, interns are equipped to go home to begin raising their support teams and reconnect with their family and friends. Accountability Reports: Interns will complete an online "weekly report" that will be submitted and reviewed by the IM staff. This will enable us to pray accurately and encourage the interns on a regular basis. A program called "Covenant Eyes" will also be installed on the intern's computers for website browsing accountability. Begin online classes: Students will begin their classes with the school of their choice (beginning in August) after graduation from 2nd year. Start Cross Cultural book study: Interns will be provided with a Kindle version of the book Cross Cultural Communication by Duane Elmer. Throughout the fall, we will connect with the Intern class via a webinar on a monthly basis for a time of encouragement and discussion. Go: Transition to the field - personal plan: During training, prior to the WOLBI Missions Conference, interns will meet individually with IM staff members and develop a personal plan for transitioning to the field. Topics covered will include support raising, packing, visas, personal spiritual development, etc. Split Sessions: Split sessions for the guys and gals will be held with the IM staff and spouses for a time of encouragement and accountability, as well as the opportunity to address gender specific topics in a private and confidential manner. This will include a Q & A time which will give the interns an opportunity to interact with veteran missionaries. Intern Reunion & Brainstorming Session: During the Missions Conference we set aside time to bring in our new class of interns, any interns who are home for the holidays in the first year of their internship (freshmen), second year (sophomores), as well as our graduated class who have already returned to the States. We believe that the interns have a unique ability to encourage and learn from one another. Therefore the IM staff facilitates a brainstorming Q&A session between all of the interns. We cover topics such as transitioning to the field, relationships with missionaries, language barriers, and how to improve the internship program (among other things). 9
Go, cont., Commissioning at WOLBI Missions Conference: During one of the closing sessions of the Missions Conference, the Freshman class of interns will be presented before the audience for a commissioning and time of prayer. This challenges the current Bible Institute students to see how God could use them, and to follow in the footsteps of their former classmates. Debrief: Graduate with your Bachelor s Degree!: While completion of a degree is not a requirement of the internship, we do seek to give each intern the opportunity and tools necessary to graduate or, at a minimum, to be well on their way towards completion of their degree program by the end of their internship. Evaluation Interviews: Meetings will be set up with interns, individually, upon their return from the field to discuss growth and ministry during the internship and evaluations by the Field staff. The goal of this is to encourage the intern towards continued growth and ministry, and to evaluate the internship as a whole, as we seek to improve each year. Evaluate Next Steps: During the Evaluation Interview our staff will also discuss where the graduating intern sees the Lord leading them next. Our goal is to help the Intern see what opportunities are available to them and to lead them towards success, whether that is serving in their home church or returning to overseas ministry with Word of Life or another organization. Intern Reunion and Brainstorming Session: As detailed on the previous page under Go, all interns still in the United States, regardless of whether they are freshmen, sophomores or graduates, will come together for a time of learning and encouragement. Word of Life Missions Conference: "Graduating" Missionary Interns will be asked to attend Missions Conference at the WOL Bible Institute. This provides them with the opportunity to connect with "new" interns who have not yet left for the field. We also ask that "graduating" interns attend the conference as a time of refreshment to gain insights regarding their experience, and to have the opportunity to receive encouragement as they move forward to wherever the Lord may be leading. 10
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES Country Need LCM Bible Clubs Argentina 2 guys, 2 girls Bermuda 2 guys, 2 girls Bolivia 2 guys, 2 girls Brazil (Belem) 2 guys, 2 girls Brazil (Sao Paulo) 2 guys, 2 girls TESL/ Teaching Camps Work Projects Special Notes: Looking for teachers in the Christian School and involvement with Bible Institute students Primarily focused on local churches and summer camps Amazon River ministry Relief Center for children Chile 1 guy, 1 girl Sports outreach Dom. Republic 2 guys, 2 girls El Salvador 2 guys Guatemala 2 guys Discipleship Training Center Hungary 2 guys, 3 girls Looking for a librarian, TESL instructor, housekeeping, maintenance, and tech intern Japan 1 guy, 1 girl See www.wolsyme.org Mexico 1 guy, 1 girl Looking for teachers in the Christian school and involvement with Bible Institute students Panama 1 guy, 2 girls Philippines 2 guys, 1 girl Evangelism and camps Poland 2 guys, 1 girl Local church focus 11
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES, CONTINUED Country Need LCM Bible Clubs TESL/ Teaching Camps Work Projects Special Notes: Portugal 2 guys Quebec/France First year is French language school in Quebec, then camps and conferences in both Quebec & France South Africa 2 guys, Discipleship Training Center, sports clinics 2 girls South Korea 1 guy, 1 girl See www.wolsyme.org Spain 2 guys Looking for those skilled in music, tech/video Taiwan 1 guy, 1 girl See www.wolsyme.org Uganda 1 guy, 1 girl Looking for teachers in Christian school and involvement with Bible Institute students 12
SUPPORT RAISING AND BUDGETS: WHAT MIGHT IT LOOK LIKE? After 2 nd year graduation, we will spend three days intensely looking at the Biblical principles and purposes of support raising. During that time, we will also work with each individual intern and create a specific plan for support raising including an exact budget and weekly goals for presenting your ministry! Below is an example of what an intern budget would look like. All prices are approximate and vary by country. Monthly Support ($851): Administrative Fee (12%): $126 Field Expenses: $450 Salary*: $275 One-time Setup Fee ($4,520): Administrative Fee (12%): $542 Language School: $500 Special Trip: $528 Travel to Field: $2,550 Visa: $400 *Salary is for personal use. Salary amount can be increased if you reach full support with the initial budget given you. 13
ONLINE EDUCATION INFORMATION: CCI Interns are required to participate in online classes (6 credit hours per semester is our minimum!). While we do not require that students attend either Liberty University (LUO) or Baptist Bible College (BBC), we do recommend them and can offer unique scholarship opportunities through them! Interns are encouraged to explore online education options (LUO, BBC, community, or state colleges) and choose the best degree completion program for their skill set and interests. Please see the following page for more information on the tuition scholarships offered to interns. Liberty University Website: www.liberty.edu Baptist Bible College Website: www.bbc.edu 14
SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS: LIBERTY UNIVERSITY & BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE Baptist Bible College Online: Students will pay $200 per credit hour, in addition to a one time matriculation fee of $60. All other fees are waived. Your savings: $110 per credit hour- a savings of $1,320 per semester for a student enrolled full-time (12 credit hours per semester). Removal of fees- approximate savings of $300 per semester. Based on a $2,000 Pell Grant, you would pay $400 total for one semester of full time schooling (12 credit hours per semester). Liberty University Online: You receive a 50% discount on tuition costs. The 50% is credited to your account after any other financial aid has been applied (Pell Grant). There is also a $175 technology fee per term and a $50 one-time application fee. Your Savings: $180 per credit hour- a savings of $2,160 for a student enrolled full-time (12 credit hours per semester). * This figure calculated without federal aid. If the student receives a Pell grant the savings amount will be lower. Students who do not receive the WOL scholarship are charged a regular tuition rate of $360 per credit hour for full time students, or $415 per credit hour for part-time students. Based on a $2,000 Pell Grant you would pay $1,335 for one semester of full time schooling (12 credit hours per semester). Pell Grant/Loans: Your eligibility for financial aid is determined by completing the FAFSA, as well as your enrollment status (parttime or full-time enrollment). In order to be eligible for loans, or defer previously acquired loans, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours (part-time enrollment) per semester. The amount of Pell Grant given to a student is based on the number of credit hours a student is enrolled in per semester. Students who enroll full time will receive more aid money than those enrolled part-time. 15