Updated 11/26/18 Mission Trip Information
Index Topic Page 2019 Trip Dates 3 Passport Application Information 3 Vaccination Information 3-4 Mission Trip Application 5 Short Term Mission Covenant 6 Short Term Mission Trip Release Form 7 But I Don t Want to Beg for Money: How to successfully build a support team for your mission trip. 8-11 Who Do You Know? 12 Support Team List 13 Guatemala Sample Support Letter 14 Middle East Sample Support Letter 15 Supporter Response Card/ Contribution Guidelines 16-17 **If you have any questions, don t hesitate to contact your team leader or the Outreach Administrator, Nicole Juhan, at nicolej@truenorthchurch.com. 2
2019 Trip Dates Location Dates Team Leader(s) Focus Guatemala April 6-13 TBD Various Outreach Guatemala June 15-22 (tentative) Middle East June 14-25 (tentative) Middle East June 29 - July 8 (tentative) TBD TBD Nicole Juhan Medical/Various Outreach Sports (Volleyball and Basketball) English Camp Do I have a passport? Delta recommends customers apply for or renew their passports well ahead of planned travel, as it is a common requirement to have a valid passport of at least 6 months beyond period of intended stay in many countries. Because of this, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the anticipated trip return date to travel internationally. You will be required to have an appointment with the US Post Office to complete the passport process. We recommend you print and fill out the appropriate application and take all supporting documents with you. See links below for more information. Link for passport information/applications: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html *Once you receive your passport, please give a photocopy to your team leader. What vaccinations do I need? *****DISCLAIMER***** This vaccination information contained herein is only provided as a general guideline. Please know that nothing referenced is required by the Guatemala or Honduras Governments, our Middle East in-country hosts, or TrueNorth Church. Our Guatemala in-country hosts REQUIRE an upto-date Tetanus Vaccination. For up to date information and recommendations please refer to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or your family physician. 3
MMR: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella- Should have received this as a child. Your primary care physician will want to check your antibody titers before readministering. Hepatitis A- It is recommended to have this vaccine. You will likely not have had it previously. There are 2 vaccines that need to be taken; the 2 nd vaccine 6 months after the 1 st. Hepatitis B- May have received this before dormitory living at college. If so, the doctor will want to check your antibody titers before re-administering. If not, it is recommended to have this vaccine. This vaccine is a 3 dose vaccine. The 2 nd vaccine is given 1-2 months after the 1 st dose and the 3 rd dose is 6-12 months later than the 1 st dose. Oral Typhoid Vaccine- Your primary care physician can call this into Kroger (they will order it and have it within 1 business day for you). It s $75 without health insurance coverage. It is 4 doses over 8 days. Need to revaccinate every 5 years. Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTaP)- Should have received this as a child. No need to revaccinate. Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine- If you haven t contracted chicken pox or had the vaccine as a child, it is recommended to have this vaccine. Polio vaccine- Should have received this as a child. No need to revaccinate. Flu shot- It is recommended to have your yearly flu shot. *The Columbia County Health Department (1930 William Few Parkway, Grovetown, GA, 30813) is the least expensive place to obtain your vaccinations. You can go there whether or not you live in Georgia. They have a walk-in clinic for vaccinations on Fridays from 8 AM 3 PM. They ask that you bring your shot records with you. Please call (706) 868-3330 for more information. *You can also obtain your vaccinations from your family physician. 4
Mission Trip Application Your first step to go on a trip is to fill out the application. 1. To fill out your mission trip application go to: http://tinyurl.com/mmnewapplication Once you arrive at the webpage click where it says, "I don t have a ManagedMissions login." 2. After you ve filled out the application and submitted it, it will be reviewed by TNC for completeness. You will either be approved for the trip or notified that more information is needed before you can be approved. 3. Once you ve been approved for the trip, you can log in to Managed Missions at http://tinyurl.com/managedmissions Please print the Trip Covenant (p. 6) and Mission Trip Release Form (p. 7). These need to be signed and returned at your next team meeting along with your $100 deposit. You will receive your team member number at this time. At Managed Missions, you will find information regarding your trip, team meeting dates and times, tasks/goals for the trip (and whether or not you ve completed them), along with the ability to view your contributions for the trip. You can also create a public profile that you can share with your support team with information about your trip. 5
2019 Short Term Mission Covenant As a member of TrueNorth Missions, I commit to actively participate in and support the whole team to accomplish the goals of our particular project. I recognize that by being a part of this team I am agreeing to the following: 1. Developing my personal relationship with Jesus Christ - I commit to discipline myself and put a priority on growing deeper in my walk with Christ during the entire preparation process and during our project assignment. This includes: a. Having a regular time of Bible Study and prayer. b. Diligently praying for and encouraging the members of my team and the partnership, and praying for opportunities to share my faith. c. Developing an attitude of service and flexibility - I commit to serve the team, the team leader, the nationals and the overseas workers on the field. I will bring a spirit of flexibility to the project assuming that plans often change. 2. While I am a part of this team I will: Initial here if you agree to follow the above:. a. Make it a priority to attend 100% of the team meetings (80% attendance required to go) and be an active participant in all team and project activities. b. Follow the rules and standard of behavior set by my team, team leader(s), and host country. c. Seek to be sensitive to the culture in my words, actions and dress. d. Refrain from any activity or behavior that might be a stumbling block to my team or any team member, our partnership ministry, or the people I am seeking to influence. I will be especially careful to treat those of the opposite gender as a brother or sister in Christ and refrain from romantic relationships. e. Submit to the authority of the team leader(s). I realize I can be sent home by the team leader(s) at my own additional expense if I do not strive to follow this covenant. 3. Financially supporting the short-term trip: Initial here if you agree to follow the above:. a. To secure a spot on the team, I will give a non-refundable $100 deposit with the application. b. Trip cost ranges from $1000-$1500 plus the cost of airfare (both depend on the trip). c. Once airline tickets have been purchased, I commit to paying for 100% of the ticket price, even if I do not go on the trip. d. Through personal support raising for this trip and/or personally paying for the trip, I commit to having 1/3 rd of my funds turned into TrueNorth Church 90 days before departure, 2/3 rds of my funds 60 days before departure and 100% of funds 30 days before departure. If my personal support for this trip is not raised I may not be allowed to go on this trip. Signed: Name: Leader signed (as witness): Leader Name: Date: / / 6
Short Term Mission Trip Release Form I,, acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in a short-term mission trip to with TrueNorth Church. I am fully aware that this mission trip may expose me to unique hazards such as sickness, disease, dangerous environments, crime, political instability, government opposition, personal injury, death, as well as similar and dissimilar risks. I am voluntarily participating in the mission trip with the knowledge of the risks involved. I release and forever discharge TrueNorth Church, and any other organization involved and each of the respective members, employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any and all claims for any and all injuries, illnesses, losses or damages I might have on or in any way relating to such mission trips, including without limitation, those relating to me leaving the United States of America and visiting above stated country (including my stay in, and travel to and from stated country). As consideration for being permitted by TrueNorth Church to participate in the mission trip, as consideration for TrueNorth Church assisting in arranging the mission trip, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, I hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue or attack the property of TrueNorth Church, or any of their affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, members, directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively referred to as the Releasees ), for and from all claims of any nature now or hereafter existing whether known or unknown, including but not limited to all liability, on account of death, injury, or damage resulting from the negligence or other acts, however caused, of the Releases as a result of my participation in the mission trip. I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP MY LEGAL RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF MY REPRESENTATIVES TO RECOVER FOR INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I give TrueNorth Church, and its representatives with me on such mission trip, authority to request and authorize medical and/or hospital treatment for my benefit in the event of an injury or sickness sustained by me while on such missions trip, including but not limited to circumstances arising while traveling to and from above stated country. I agree to pay for all such treatment and to reimburse TrueNorth Church for all costs and expenses incurred by it with respect to such treatment. I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between me on one hand, and TrueNorth Church, and or their affiliates on the other hand. No oral representations, statements, or inducements apart from this agreement have been made to me. I SIGN THIS AGREEMENT OF MY OWN FREE WILL. Signature of Participant Printed Name of Participant Date 7
But I Don t Want to Beg for Money! How to successfully build a support team for your mission trip The Five Steps 1. Develop a biblical perspective 2. Change your attitude 3. See the benefits 4. Build your team 5. Follow up Developing a Biblical Perspective In the Old Testament, priests, Levites and prophets lived off the tithes and offerings of the people. (Numbers 18) Jesus instructions for His disciples Do not carry any gold, silver, or copper money in your pockets; do not carry a beggar's bag for the trip or an extra shirt or shoes or a walking stick. Workers should be given what they need. Matthew 10: 9-10 Paul discussed missionaries receiving support If you are being taught the Christian message, you should share all the good things you have with your teacher. Galatians 6: 6 Changing Your Attitude You are fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20) "I'm asking for money" to, "I'm telling people about what God is doing and giving them a chance to be a part of it. People are giving money to God for His work, not to you. You are a servant and steward of the Most High God! Seeing the Benefits Providing an opportunity for others to be involved Educating others about missions Strengthening your faith in God to provide Making new personal friendships Team Building Process Pray to find out what God wants you to do Listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit Follow the peace of Christ in the decisions that you make Trust God alone 8
Building a Prayer Support Team Develop a list of people who would commit to praying for you (See "Who Do You Know?", p. 12) Share your passion and mission with them Ask them to partner with you for your trip Use the Support Team List (p. 13) to keep track of your team Keeping the Team Motivated Ask your prayer partners to commit to Immediately begin praying for you regularly Pray for you every day of your mission trip Communicate specific prayer requests about your trip; the needs, your concerns, what you will encounter, God s plan for you and the team Keep in touch during your preparation and mission trip Write a card or share verbally with each team member at least once during your preparation Start a monthly e-mail with updates Meet and pray regularly with a few prayer partners during preparation Will encourage you and build lasting relationships Make a prayer card with your photo Make a daily prayer calendar for your trip once the itinerary is set Building a Financial Support Team Pray for God's guidance as you make a list of potential financial supporters Write a LETTER to each potential supporter explaining what you plan on doing (not e-mail, not Facebook, not text). Samples on pp. 14-15. Include a Response Card that you ve printed front to back (pp. 16-17) and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Writing the Letter The Introduction Personalize your letters Handwrite the potential supporters name and your name at the closing Grab the reader s attention Focus on the specifics of your trip Thank donors and tell them they are necessary The Ask Explain the cause 9
leave person with the impression that it is absolutely critical that you go on the trip show that there is a need and that your trip is critical in effectively addressing that need explain exactly what you need The Closing Thank donors in advance for their support State again why their contribution is so important Financial Details Checks written to TrueNorth Church, but returned to YOU by mail Have supporters write your team number on the check (given to you after your trip application is approved). DO NOT have them write your name on the check. Deliver the checks to the TNC Office in person or by mail (Attn: Nicole Juhan) Online Giving: If anyone on your support team would like to give online, have them go here: http://truenorthchurch.com/give/ then scroll down to "Online" and click on the "Give Now" link. This will ask them to set up an account if they don't already have one. They will select your trip. Make sure they type your team member number in the "optional description" box. Following Up Follow up if you don't hear from potential supporters In person or by phone Send each person who supports you a hand-written thank you note and thank them verbally (in person or by phone) After the Trip Send a photo Send a hand-written thank you note Tell them what their support achieved Creative Ways to Earn Money Yard sale Sell homemade crafts or food (jams, breads) Bake sale Car wash Mow lawns Babysit Pet sit Any deep sense of God s leading should be accompanied by the confidence that when he guides, He also provides. Raising one s own support is a challenge to faith. 10
What happens if I raise more money than required? Due to IRS regulations, all donations belong to the church, not to an individual team member or a team, and are non-refundable. Extra funds that are raised can be reallocated after the trip has returned. We generally allocate any extra team member funds to supplement other teammates that might be in need. Any extra funds would then be used for other ministry efforts in the area. What happens to the money if I can t go? If any team member must cancel prior to the date of the trip, he or she will be financially responsible for any amount of funds that have been spent on his or her behalf in the arrangement of the trip. In certain circumstances, those unused funds can be reserved for other future short-term trip opportunities. We assess these situations on a case by case basis. 11
Who Do You Know? You can include anyone on your list who you think may be interested in your project. List people you think may support you in prayer or financially. Both are important and you may be surprised who will give to help your ministry financially. To remind you of people who might be interested in knowing about your ministry, look through your personal phone books, your church directory, yearbooks, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) Here s a list to help you think of others to send your letter to: Journey Group Business acquaintances Campus leaders of Christian groups Christian business men's and women's groups Christmas card lists Church members Civic clubs Coaches Employers Fellow students Former or present teachers Friends Friends of your family High school and college friends Neighbors (present and former locations) Parents' employers People you have led to Christ Relatives Retired friends Rotary Club Sunday school classes Teammates Those who have influenced you spiritually Wedding lists 12
Support Team List Name Address Phone/Email Date Contacted Response 13
Dear, Guatemala Sample Support Letter I am writing this letter to let you know that I have decided to go on a short term mission trip to Guatemala from (dates). You may wonder why I have decided to take the time to do this, and the answer is simple. (Tell them why YOU are going.) During my trip I will help provide medical services to the community (make specific to your trip). Through these activities, my team hopes to build relationships and share the hope we have found through Jesus Christ. (what are the goals of your team?) TrueNorth Church is partnering with El Faro while working in Puerto Barrios and Livingston (your teams agenda), Guatemala. (www.elfaromission.com) In Livingston, we will build relationships with the Garifuna people group. The Garifuna people (watch this video on youtube http://youtu.be/cd1ywfmy_ew and put it into your own words). You can see that the medical needs of this community are critical, and we can have a huge impact for Christ here (or something similar to show the importance of you going on this trip.) I am writing this letter to put together a support team of people to pray for me and my team, and/or financially support this mission. We need prayer for. Financially, I need to raise $1000 to cover my expenses, along with the cost of an airline ticket (approximately $700). I will need all funds by (date). I hope that you see this as an opportunity to partner with me and serve God. I thank you for your support and am excited about the possibility of you as my encourager! To contribute financially, checks can be made out to TrueNorth Church with my team member number on the memo line. Please do not write my name on the check. Please send the check and Response Card to me in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. You can also contribute electronically at http://truenorthchurch.com/give/ Scroll down to "Online" and click on the "Give Now" link. This will ask you to set up an account if you don't already have one. Select the correct trip and type the team member number in the "optional description" box. All donations for this ministry are tax deductible and non-refundable. Thank you for considering being a part of my support team. (Express your gratitude.) Please let me know if I can answer any of your questions. Sincerely, 14
Middle East Sample Support Letter Dear, I am writing to let you know that I am going on a short-term mission trip to the Middle East from dates, with a team from my church, TrueNorth! I have decided to do this because During the trip, we will partner with a local Baptist school to provide an English Language Camp/Sports Camp. The school provides education to approximately 450 Christian and Muslim children from grades K-10. Our hope is that the camp will enhance the perception of the school in the community, drawing more students to experience and learn about Jesus. As well as build relationships with the students and teachers. Why this is important to you. I am assembling a support team to pray for my family, myself, and my team, and/or give financially toward this mission. I would love for you to join me! YOUR PRAYER NEEDS. Financially, I need to raise $3000 ($1500 for my expenses and $1500 for airfare). I hope that you see this as an opportunity to partner with me and serve God. To contribute financially, checks can be made out to TrueNorth Church with your team member number on the memo line. *Please do not write my name on the check.* Send the check and Response Card to me in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. You can also contribute electronically at http://truenorthchurch.com/give/ Scroll down to "Online" and click on the "Give Now" link. This will ask you to set up an account if you don't already have one. Select the correct trip and type the team member number in the "optional description" box. All donations for this ministry are tax deductible and nonrefundable. Thank you for considering being a part of my support team. (Express your appreciation.) God bless you! Your name 15
Trip Team Member Team Member No. Yes, I want to be a part of your Mission Trip! Praying (Please list e-mail address below) Giving (Please see Contribution Guidelines on reverse) $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 Other $ *Contribute electronically at my.accessacs.com. Name Address E-mail Phone No. Please enclose this card with method of payment and return to the team member. Trip Team Member Team Member No. Yes, I want to be a part of your Mission Trip! Praying (Please list e-mail address below) Giving (Please see Contribution Guidelines on reverse) $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 Other $ *Contribute electronically at my.accessacs.com. Name Address E-mail Phone No. Please enclose this card with method of payment and return to the team member. Trip Team Member Team Member No. Yes, I want to be a part of your Mission Trip! Praying (Please list e-mail address below) Giving (Please see Contribution Guidelines on reverse) $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 Other $ *Contribute electronically at my.accessacs.com. Name Address E-mail Phone No. Please enclose this card with method of payment and return to the team member. Trip Team Member Team Member No. Yes, I want to be a part of your Mission Trip! Praying (Please list e-mail address below) Giving (Please see Contribution Guidelines on reverse) $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 Other $ *Contribute electronically at my.accessacs.com. Name Address E-mail Phone No. Please enclose this card with method of payment and return to the team member. 16
Contribution Guidelines Contribution Guidelines Please make checks payable to TrueNorth Church. Checks should not be made out to the team member, nor should the team member s name be written on the memo line. Response cards will be labeled with a team member number for identification, record keeping, and tax deduction purposes. Please make checks payable to TrueNorth Church. Checks should not be made out to the team member, nor should the team member s name be written on the memo line. Response cards will be labeled with a team member number for identification, record keeping, and tax deduction purposes. Do not send post-dated checks or cash. Money orders or cashier s checks made payable to TrueNorth Church are acceptable. Receipts for tax deduction will be mailed at year-end. Do not send post-dated checks or cash. Money orders or cashier s checks made payable to TrueNorth Church are acceptable. Receipts for tax deduction will be mailed at year-end. All money is solely donated to TrueNorth Church, North Augusta, SC, USA and is not refundable or transferable. TrueNorth may use any excess funds in order to develop new aspects of the current trip, for other mission trips from the church, or for any mission work deemed worthy by TrueNorth Church. All money is solely donated to TrueNorth Church, North Augusta, SC, USA and is not refundable or transferable. TrueNorth may use any excess funds in order to develop new aspects of the current trip, for other mission trips from the church, or for any mission work deemed worthy by TrueNorth Church. Contribution Guidelines Contribution Guidelines Please make checks payable to TrueNorth Church. Checks should not be made out to the team member, nor should the team member s name be written on the memo line. Response cards will be labeled with a team member number for identification, record keeping, and tax deduction purposes. Please make checks payable to TrueNorth Church. Checks should not be made out to the team member, nor should the team member s name be written on the memo line. Response cards will be labeled with a team member number for identification, record keeping, and tax deduction purposes. Do not send post-dated checks or cash. Money orders or cashier s checks made payable to TrueNorth Church are acceptable. Receipts for tax deduction will be mailed at year-end. Do not send post-dated checks or cash. Money orders or cashier s checks made payable to TrueNorth Church are acceptable. Receipts for tax deduction will be mailed at year-end. All money is solely donated to TrueNorth Church, North Augusta, SC, USA and is not refundable or transferable. TrueNorth may use any excess funds in order to develop new aspects of the current trip, for other mission trips from the church, or for any mission work deemed worthy by TrueNorth Church. All money is solely donated to TrueNorth Church, North Augusta, SC, USA and is not refundable or transferable. TrueNorth may use any excess funds in order to develop new aspects of the current trip, for other mission trips from the church, or for any mission work deemed worthy by TrueNorth Church. 17