Dear Church Family, We are pleased to announce to you our next mission trip to the country of Mexico. The trip will be June 9-14, 2014. In order to allow this mission trip to be the most effective it can be, we are asking that you and your family pray about becoming a part of the 2014 mission team. Due to the fact that there are a limited number of spots, please understand that just because you turn in an application you are not guaranteed a spot on the team, but we will do our best to give every person the opportunity to participate in the 2014 Mission Trip to Mexico. Spots on the mission team will be given in the order in which applications are received. If needed, we will create a waiting list of qualified applicants until it is determined if additional transportation and lodging accommodations can successfully be arranged. After praying for guidance from God, if you believe God is leading you to turn in an application, you need to have your application completed and submitted to the church office on or before Sunday November 3, 2013. You may pick up an application in the Welcome Center at West Rome or fill one out online at www.westrome.org There will be an informational meeting on Sunday November 3, 2013 @ 3:00 pm in the Well at West Rome Baptist Church. At this meeting we will discuss the details of the trip, the financial commitment, how to raise your needed support, information on the travel arrangements and the actual mission schedule, as well as answer any questions that you have about the trip. A deposit in the amount of $150 must be submitted by December 1, 2013 to secure your spot. If you have any questions, contact the church office at 706-232-9722, or via email at tstockton@westrome.org Grace and Peace, Topher Stockton Student & Missions Minister
Trip Details Date: June 9-14, 2013 Where: Cost: Kantunilkin, Mexico & surrounding communities Approx. $1,300 - $1,500 (dependent upon airfare) Who may go? All qualified persons 5 years of age and older. Participants must be in the 7th grade or older to participate without being accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Mission Opportunities: In partnership with Mission House we will be engaging in evangelism, construction, church services, daily bible school, sports ministry, and medical & food aid, in the communities in and around Kantunilkin, Mexico. Final tasks for the mission trip will be determined after the actual size of the mission team is known following the close of registration. Cost Breakdown: $500 Food, Lodging, Tourism, & Travel Insurance $100 Interpreters fees and local transportation. $600 Airfare $100 Construction, evangelism, food, medical aid and supplies to be used on the trip. How to register: You may register for the June 2014 Mission Trip to Mexico, by completing all pages of the attached application and turning it in to the church office or by completing the online registration form at www.westrome.org. All applications must be received by November 3, 2013. Please note that your registration is not complete until a deposit of $150 has been received. All deposits must be received by December 1, 2013. Medical Release: All persons under the age of 18 must complete and turn in a 2014 Medical release form prior to the departure date of the trip. Financial Policy for Short Term Mission Team Members Team members are expected to contribute personally and sacrificially to the cost of the trip, and then raise the additional financial support needed. Funding must be raised and turned in by June 1, 2014. Note: Please turn in money as you receive it! If a team member raises more than the required support for the trip, it is the policy of the Missions Office, and West Rome Baptist Church to reallocate the funds within the mission team s account. All funds must be used to support the field of ministry to which it was given. Candidates should make funding deposits through the Foreign Missions Office, who will keep a record of each team member s contributions. All checks should be written to West Rome Baptist Church. Contact Information: If you have questions regarding the June 2014 Mission Trip to Mexico or would like more information please contact the Church office by phone @ 706-232-9722 or via email at tstockton@westrome.org.
APPLICATION FOR MEXICO MISSION TRIP 6.9-14.2014 West Rome Baptist Church * 914 Shorter Ave. * Rome, GA 30165 * 706-232-9722 PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Date: Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone Number: Cell Phone Number: Email Address: Date of Birth: Citizenship: Passport Number: Male Country of Birth: Date of Issue/Expiration Date: Female Church Membership: ( ) West Rome BC ( ) Other Church Have you had training in personal evangelism? ( ) Yes ( ) No Have you ever participated in a short term mission trip? ( ) Yes* ( ) No *If yes, when & where?
TESTIMONY In the space below, please share your salvation testimony. Please include how long you have been a believer, your salvation experience, and describe your walk with the Lord at the present time.
2014 Medical Release Form West Rome Baptist Church Effective Date: January 01, 2014 December 31, 2014 Participant Name: Age: SSN#: Ph: Address: City: Zip: In case of emergency notify: Emergency Contact: Phone #1: Phone #2: Generally, participant s health is: Excellent Good Fair Poor If Fair or Poor, please explain your condition: List any medical difficulties for which you are currently being treated: Check any of the following that cause you problems and explain: Asthma Sinusitis Bronchitis Kidney Trouble Heart trouble Diabetes Dizziness Stomach upset Hay- Fever List any medications or substances to which you are allergic: List any previous operations or serious illnesses: List any Medications you are currently taking: List any special diet or special needs: Family Physician: Insurance Co.: Subscriber Name: Place of Employment: Phone: Policy#: Subscriber#: Phone: Permission for Medical Treatment: My permission is granted for the event director, church leader, or adult present in charge of First Aid, to obtain medical attention in case of sickness or injury to my child. I, the undersigned, do hereby verify that the above information is correct and I do hereby release and discharge West Rome Baptist Church from any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action, past, present, or future, arising out of any damage or injury while participating in this event. Complete and sign below. Participant s Signature: Parent/Legal Guardian Signature: Date: Date:
DO s of short term mission trips! 1. DO expect the unexpected Experience has taught us that everything does not always go as planned. While it is absolutely necessary for us to make plans as a team, and bring our own supplies, it may be necessary for those plans to be adjusted, adapted, or outright changed once the team gets on the field. 2. DO expect difficulties 3. DO anticipate spiritual warfare 4. DO prepare yourself a. Do daily devotion b. Get into better shape physically (good food, more sleep, exercise) c. Get information about where you are going. (read books, internet, etc..) Mexico is much different from the United States in many ways. There will be a list of DO s and Don ts but the essential thing we must remember is that we are always on mission and we must always walk in a manner that is worthy of the name of Jesus. 5. DO plan to have a good time with each other and the Lord!!! How will this mission trip help me explore my spirituality? Some of us have never been to a country like Mexico. The simplicity of everyday life there forces us to slow down our expectations. The layers of armor we wear to brave the stresses of everyday life at home, melt away. What is left is our core being, our spirituality, waiting to be tapped. How much you tap into it is up to you.
Keys to Raising Support :: The Team Building Approach Building a Support Team Each individual team member will be responsible for developing his or her own support team. The support team consists of: * Prayer Supporters * Encouragers * Financial Contributors The concept is to develop a team, not just to raise funds. The most important need for the team member is for people to pray for him or her, before and during the project. The Team The idea of the team is to involve as many people in the mission experience as possible. The team: *is a ministry through you to the team (TEAM = goers + prayer support + senders) *is a means by which others can share in the blessings of the mission (Phil. 4:17) *is a Biblical approach (II Cor. 8:4) *is a means by which others become missions-minded Christians through giving You should seek people that you want on your team, not those who you think will give money. Remember, if the prayer support is in place, everything else will fall into place. Raising Funds If an individual cannot pay for their trip, the most effective proven method to raise individual funds is to write a letter for distribution to friends, co-workers and church members. Professional fund-raisers for large organizations will tell you that people will give to people they know. Potential contributors are happy to have the opportunity to invest in someone they know personally or an endeavor they care about. God's Word promises us that He will supply our every need. Prepare the Team List Usually 25 or more Not all West Rome Baptist Church members (50% outside our church) Friends, relatives, Christian contacts, non-christians that God may open a door to witness to through this process Write the Letter You are asking people to support the ministry of West Rome Baptist Church. If you are asking for financial contributions, you are asking them to help with the cost that you will incur by conducting the ministry (transportation, meals while on the field, in-country housing, visa, travel insurance, etc.) A common testimony for team members is that while they were initially put off by the idea of sending support letters, the experience turned out to be a highlight of the trip. Tracking Support Received The foreign missions office will keep detailed records of all contributions given to each member of the mission team, but we also recommend that you keep your own records to help track your progress and for follow-up. The following guidelines will help you keep track of the support you receive: o Create an Excel spreadsheet or journal to record the financial contributions your receive Record the Amount ($$) given and the date it was given Record the method of payment Example: cash or check (if check, record the check #) Record the name and address of the person who gave the support Please turn in money as you receive it. o It gives the missions staff the opportunity to help you keep record of the contributions you receive. o It will help to insure that money does not get lost
Support Letters Keys to Raising Support :: The Team Building Approach The following guidelines will help you in writing your support letter: There are three types of letters: o A letter sent out asking for prayer support only (if you are paying your own way) o A letter sent out asking for prayer and financial support o A letter sent out asking for project support (if you are paying your own way) Compose your own letter. It is unwise to simply copy a sample letter. The last thing a donor wants to receive is four copies of the same letter with four different signatures. People prefer to read a personal letter. Include the following information in the letter: 1. Information about the country/culture you are going to 2. Description of what the team will be doing 3. The cost of the trip ($) 4. The amount ($) you are sacrificially giving towards the total cost of the trip 5. You may want to recommend a giving amount ($25, $50, $100, etc ) for financial supporters. 6. Why you want to be involved in the trip (reasons that you feel the strongest about) 7. How God called you to go on this trip 8. How you would like the reader to be involved (prayer, financial, both) 9. All checks must be payable to West Rome Baptist Church 10. Mail the check to you (the team member) 11. The date you need the money 12. Contributors are not to write on the memo line of the check Keep the letter brief one page or less Include the following with your letter: o A self addressed stamped envelope o A support record sheet Sending your support letter: o Mail your support letters as early as you can if you wait you will not get the support you need o All support letters should be mailed prior to March 1, 2013. Follow-Up Following up with each member of your support team is a very important part of raising support. The support team you build wants to know, that you are thankful for their support financially and through prayer. Second they want to hear about your trip and how God changed you through it. The following guidelines will help you in follow-up with your support team: o Send a thank you note to every person on your support team thanking them for their support financially or in prayer. o When you return from your trip send a letter to every person on your support team. Tell them about your trip Tell them how God changed your life Thank them for their support
SAMPLE SUPPORT LETTER Dear, One of the things I believe we take for granted more than anything else in our lives is the invitation that God has given us, through Jesus Christ, to have a personal relationship with Him. It's sad to say that we as believers often forfeit our personal time with God for the many details in our day; the same details that we so desperately need Him to work in. Even as I struggle in remaining faithful in my pursuit of God, as always God has remained faithful in pursuing me and reminding me of my desperate need for Him; my need to meet with Him face to face every day. I cannot help but think as God is calling me even now to a greater intimacy in my relationship with Him, that there are many in this world who have yet to hear the Truth about the Real, True, Living God who created them and who loves them and desires a personal relationship with them. This upcoming October I am blessed with the opportunity to do just that, to take God's Truth with a team of others where it has yet to be taken. We will be blessed by working at a couple of communities near Kantunilkin, Mexico. One of the greatest tasks that we will be performing is door to door evangelism as well as evangelistic events for the community. In addition we will be hosting back yard Bible clubs for the children of the community as well as evangelistic movie events for the children and their families. We have also been blessed with the opportunity to begin clearing a lot that has been provided for the building of the communities first church. Finally, we will spend time encouraging and building up the Christian leaders and missionaries who are daily striving to reach these communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This upcoming June 9-14, 2013 I and a team of others have the opportunity and the honor of taking His Truth to the people of Mexico. In addition to the work I spoke of earlier we will be working closely with believers in the city of Kantunilkin whose ministry focuses on touching the least of these with the love of Jesus Christ; whether it is street kids, orphans, or the homeless and unemployed. Our desire is to come alongside these believers in showing God's love to those who have yet to hear or receive it. One of our main focuses as a team is to be an encouragement to the believers we are blessed with the opportunity to work alongside. Daily these believers live as a minority in an area heavily populated by non-christians and in communities with very little financial means to support the work of the church. Just as God has pierced my heart for the great need in Mexico, I am praying as I send this letter to you that God would begin to touch your heart as well, so that you will be included in what God wants to do in the nation of Mexico. The first and most important way I want to challenge you to be included is through your prayers. Pray for the continued wisdom, encouragement, focus, and faith of believers in Mexico. Pray that God would reveal His Truth and soften the hearts of the many unbelievers there. Pray that God would prepare our team to be used and that we will walk away changed. Secondly, if you are able, I challenge you to be included financially. Each person on our team is seeking to raise $1,500 by the end of June, 2013 to go on this trip. I ask that you prayerfully consider how you might be involved in helping send us and God's Love to the ends of the earth. I am already looking forward to seeing how God is going to touch many lives including my own through this trip. Pursuing God, John Doe "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with your whole heart!" Jeremiah 29:13
Support Record Mission Team Member s Name: Mexico Mission Trip: June 9-14, 2013 I will pray for you. I will financially support you with a gift of $ Check # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -(Please cut on dotted line and send top half to Team Member)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - All contributions to West Rome Baptist Church missions are non-refundable. To be tax deductible you must: 1) Make checks or money orders payable to West Rome Baptist Church. Please do not write the participants name on the memo line of the check. 2) Enclose the above note stating which project and/or individual you are supporting. 3) Mail the check to the individual you are supporting in the enclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope. IRS regulations prohibit the church finance office from giving you tax credit for donations designated for individuals. Contributions received which designate persons on the check itself will be deposited, but your annual contribution statement will not be credited. Support Record Mission Team Member s Name: Mexico Mission Trip: June 9-14, 2013 I will pray for you. I will financially support you with a gift of $ Check # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -(Please cut on dotted line and send top half to Team Member)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - All contributions to West Rome Baptist Church missions are non-refundable. To be tax deductible you must: 1) Make checks or money orders payable to West Rome Baptist Church. Please do not write the participants name on the memo line of the check. 2) Enclose the above note stating which project and/or individual you are supporting. 3) Mail the check to the individual you are supporting in the enclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope. IRS regulations prohibit the church finance office from giving you tax credit for donations designated for individuals. Contributions received which designate persons on the check itself will be deposited, but your annual contribution statement will not be credited.
What to Bring Mexico Mission Trip 2014 Personal Items 1. Bible, Pen or Pencil, Missionary Journal 2. Soap, Shampoo & Small pillow for the plane if you want 3. Sunscreen & Insect Repellant recommend one with deet 4. Small Flashlight batteries, if needed 5. Water Bottle recommend a Nalgene or Aluminum type bottle one that will not break easily 6. Travel Alarm Clock optional 7. Hand sanitizer you will want to keep a bottle with you at all times 8. Backpack This will be your carry-on bag Daily contents Snacks, medications, hand sanitizer, camera, water bottle, bug spray, etc 9. Passport If you do not have one you will need to apply for one in the next couple of weeks 10. ID driver s license or student ID 11. Calling Card optional 12. Poncho for the rain Clothing & Bedding 1. Pack Light you only get 1 checked bag under 50lbs Work Clothes shorts & t-shirts (tank tops are acceptable, no spaghetti straps) Down Time Clothes shorts, t-shirts, or athletic clothes Sleeping Clothes Be conservative Church Clothes Jeans & collared shirt (No tank tops or shirts with straps & no shirts with large graphics for Church) Shoes Old tennis shoes for work flip flops, sandals, or tennis shoes for down time (Recommend flip flops for showers) 2. All linens, towels, and pillows will be provided by the mission house
What to Bring Mexico Mission Trip 2014 Packing 1. Each person will potentially check 2 bags under 50lbs please weigh your bag prior to the trip 2. One bag will contain your personal items & one will contain supplies for the trip 3. You may have one carryon bag Your backpack for the week. 4. Carryon Bags - Pack one complete change of clothes & necessary toiletries Pack your Passport, ID, & some money 5. Supply Bag We ask that each person drop off a large suitcase or duffle bag at the church one week prior to the departure day of the trip. This bag will be used to pack supplies for the trip. Electronics 1. You may bring Cell Phone, ipod, Camera & Video Camera Please note cell phone roaming rates will be very high, so we recommend you leave your phone turned off once we arrive in Mexico. Text & Email rates are also very high. 2. All electronics will work in Mexico no foreign adaptors needed 3. We will have a laptop with us that the team can share for internet use Communication 1. The mission house will have a magic jack internet phone which you may use to call home 2. Daily communication will be kept to a minimum Spending Money 1. We will have a day to do some souvenir shopping, so if you would like to bring some extra spending money you may do so. 2. Spending Money bring only small bills (nothing larger than $20 bills) All bills must be crisp and have no markings or tears 3. Recommended Amount not over $150-$200
General Information Mexico Mission Trip 2014 Meals 1. Breakfast & Dinner will be served at the mission house 2. Lunch will be prepared by the mission house and eaten at our work sites 3. Distilled water will be provided at the mission house and our work sites Focus & Attitude 1. The purpose of our trip is to Glorify God, Serve Others, & Grow Spiritually 2. Be Flexible Mexico is different than the U.S. Things move at a very different pace and the way that people live is very different. While plans are important and we have a plan, we are going to be sensitive to God s leading and flexible when things don t go as we planned. 3. Be an Encourager Be an encouragement to each other and to those with whom we come in contact in Mexico. 4. Be in Prayer & the Word I encourage you to be in prayer and in God s Word daily now and while we are on the trip. Our strength/success individually and as a team is not based on our strength but on the Lord s strength. Nothing is impossible with God! Luke 1:37