MISSION S STRATEGY But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 The mission of Edgewater Alliance Church is: To make disciples that bring the Gospel to every man, woman, and child. This mission is reflected in the mission s strategy of EASM. Our objective is to encourage students to life-long involvement in the work of God both locally and globally. Students need to be presented opportunities to take the message and love of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Therefore, we believe it is beneficial to provide opportunities for students to serve locally (Jerusalem), across state lines (Samaria) and internationally (to the ends of the earth). These trips not only provide positive and challenging missional experiences for students, but also help prepare them to lead missional lives when they return home. Level ONE MISSIONS-Middle School Our goal each year is to aid students in becoming involved in local missions. We define local as in the state of Florida. We try to connect students with places like the Grace House crisis pregnancy center, Habitat for Humanity, nursing homes, food pantries, and other local organizations that positively impact our community. Local missions are a great way to introduce students to missions and get them comfortable sharing their faith. It is an excellent opportunity to instill the important truth that you do not need to travel far to make a difference for Jesus. All Christians are called to make a difference for Christ where they live, work (or study), and play! LEVEL TWO MISSIONS-High School Our Level Two mission opportunities emphasize a combination of service & faith-sharing projects done in a North American cross-cultural environment. Our students need to gain a greater perspective and vision of the world and what God is doing. Traditionally this has been ministering to inner city kids in Detroit Michigan. These trips can be more challenging than local missions, but have been very impactful in the spiritual development of our students. Taking students to a different state broadens their perspective and gives them a greater sense of what God is doing in a context that is different from their own. LEVEL THREE MISSIONS Level Three Missions will provide students with international opportunities to serve and share the love of Jesus. Our desire is that as we develop relationships with believers in other countries for ongoing ministry partnerships, those involved with Level Three Missions can wrestle with what part God might have them play in global missions over the course of their lives. Currently Level Three Missions is in the developmental phase and will initially be for college-age students and young adults. It is possible that they will also be offered to mature Junior and Senior high school students sometime in the future.
FINANCIAL POLICY Edgewater Alliance Student Ministries is committed to providing students fundraising opportunities to help raise money need for their mission trip(s). We will have a variety of fundraising opportunities they can participate in and they may also raise some of their money through support letters. If the student wishes to send out a support letter we have some guidelines available in the office that can help them compose their letter. Our purpose is to teach the students about trusting God in raising their support, the role that faith plays in this process and also their personal responsibility in raising their money. Sometimes our students raise more than is needed for their trip(s), so we have come up with a policy which will help them and their parents understand how their personal accounts will work. All monies raised for a particular mission trip will go only towards that trip. If a student raises more than is needed it will still go towards the trip to help offset some of our other costs. Edgewater Alliance Student Ministries always helps pay the way for our staff to go on the mission trips, and this extra money will help towards staff support as well as many of the other costs - which may include car rentals, gas money, insurance, etc. Any money that is credited to a student for a particular mission trip will only go towards the specific trip that money is being raised for at that time. Students are not allowed to save fundraised money for future trips. Any money that is raised by the student through a support letter must go only towards their mission trip. This must be communicated to the giver so they know that their money will be used towards the trip, even if the recipient s trip is covered. Extra monies will go towards additional costs for the trip. Writing support letters in order to raise money for a summer mission trip is something that is encouraged. However, if a student chooses to write a support letter there are three requirements: 1.) the student must have received their acceptance letter prior to sending out the letter, 2.) the letter must be approved by the Student Ministry Office Staff and 3.) the letter must be sent out by the date listed below. Please make sure you plan ample time for us to review and for you to revise this letter. The following dates are the LATEST possible dates that a student can send out a support letter: MISSION: Edgewater- June 13 th, 2018 Envision May 30 th, 2018 All deposits are non-refundable. If a student has applied and been accepted for a trip and cancels 30 days or less before the trip is scheduled, all monies are non-refundable. If money has not been turned in (and you have not talked to the EASM office) by the last money deadline, you will not be able to participate in the trip and all money paid up until that point will be non-refundable.
July 9th - July 13th What is it? Missions: Edgewater is our week long mission trip experience designed specifically to reach our community by allowing the students to love them in real, tangible ways that will shape where they live. This trip is designed to expose students to missions through working in their own community. Missions: Edgewater is about partnering with the local community ministries such as Habitat for Humanity, United Way, F.R.O.G. Ministries, Halifax Urban Ministries, First United Methodist Food Shelf and more in order to be Christ s hands and feet in our community. We ll also be using Servant Evangelism and Parable of the Talents as tools to share God s love in concrete ways in our neighborhoods and the community at large. Missions: Edgewater is also designed to help connect students with each other as they serve, worship, pray, learn, grow and live together. Our desire is that these students see their community with the eyes of Christ and begin to notice the everyday opportunities around them. Who is it for? This trip is designed for middle school students who completed the 6th- 8th grades in 2018. Where will it happen? Students participating in this mission trip will live, sleep and eat at Edgewater Alliance Church. We will also be using the showers in our locker rooms. During the day we will spend almost all of our time in and around the Edgewater / New Smyrna Area. Application and Money Cost: $150 - You must fill out and turn in an application along with a $50 deposit and reference forms. Applications will continue to be accepted until the trip is full. Submitting an application does not necessarily mean acceptance. Letters will be sent confirming your spot. We will have two team meetings before the trip begins and attendance is required due to trip preparation, group building activities, etc. EAC will be commissioning the Mission Team on Sunday, July 1st during both morning services (9a.m. & 10:30a.m.) Students are to arrive 15 min. prior to service to participate. Missions: Edgewater Team Meeting Dates Wednesday, June 27th 6:00-7:30 Sunday, July 1st 12:00-1:30** Parent Meeting will start at 1p.m. on July 1st
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION To register: Fill out application and turn it in with two references and $50. Please answer all the questions thoroughly and honestly. Name Age Street Address City, FL Zip Phone E-mail Current Grade in School Make sure to have a parent read through and sign this application. Make sure you read it too! Parents Names T-Shirt Size (circle one) S M L XL XXL Are you a believer and committed follower of Jesus Christ? (yes or no) How would you explain to a friend how you became a Christian? If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office and ask for Connor or Cassandra. Why do you want to serve on this mission trip? What is the Gospel? Be as clear and concise as possible.
What have you learned about God this past year? In what area of your relationship with Christ do you see the need for growth and why? Have you ever served on a mission trip before? If so where and when did you serve? On this trip you will be expected to pray out loud, be engaged in frequent spiritual conversations, and engage with new people. Are you o.k. with that? On this trip you will be expected to respectfully follow the instruction of your leaders (including our unplugged policy forbidding recreational use of electronic devices). Are you ok with that? What leader at Edgewater Alliance Church knows you best? Read and sign the following as a part of your agreement to responsibility: I will participate in the preparation process and keep the financial and time commitments established by Edgewater Alliance Student Ministries I will not complain during the project and will do my best to have a servant s attitude I will obey all leadership on my project I will not use profanity I will not use my phone for any reason other than communicating with family and will only communicate with my family during times designated by my leaders I will not use and/or purchase alcohol, drugs or tobacco on the project I will adhere to the dress code established by Edgewater Alliance Student Ministries and our partners in this community. I will follow safety precautions during the project I understand that if I break the terms of this agreement, my leaders may choose to send me home at my own expense. I understand that I (my child) will be expected to raise funds, attend team meetings, and submit to their team leaders. We understand that this is a mission trip and that we need to make preparations to empty all calendar items from the participant s schedule during June 9 th 13 th and the meeting dates. We agree that there may be additional responsibilities beyond team meetings and the mission week such as preparations for ministry, follow-up after the week, etc. I agree that I will be a positive role model in conduct and speech while on this mission project. I understand the financial and time commitments of this trip and agree to abide by them. Applicant s signature: Date: Parent s signature: Date:
Name of Participant: Church: Please return form by: To: Edgewater Alliance Student Ministries 310 North Ridgewood Avenue Edgewater, FL 32132 Reference Thank you so much for serving as a reference for an EASM Missions Applicant. Your insight is important in the application process. Please answer the questions below to the best of your knowledge and return this completed form to the group leader at the address above. Your Name: Phone: Relation to participant: How long have you known the applicant? Please evaluate the applicant on each of the following qualities to the best of your knowledge according to the provided scale (1 = poor, 10 = excellent) Honesty 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Teachable 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Compatibility With Others 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Respect for Authority 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Spiritual Maturity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Trustworthy 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ministry Skills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Heart for Missions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Interpersonal Skills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Flexibility 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Are you aware of any weaknesses in the participant that give reason to question his/her ability to be a positive contributor to a short-term mission project? Please explain. Please summarize how you feel the applicant would perform on a mission project. Based on the information above, this applicant is: Strongly Recommended Recommended with some reservation as noted above Recommended Not Recommended Signature Date
Name of Participant: Church: Please return form by: To: Edgewater Alliance Student Ministries 310 North Ridgewood Avenue Edgewater, FL 32132 Reference Thank you so much for serving as a reference for an EASM Missions Applicant. Your insight is important in the application process. Please answer the questions below to the best of your knowledge and return this completed form to the group leader at the address above Your Name: Phone: Relation to participant: How long have you known the applicant? Please evaluate the applicant on each of the following qualities to the best of your knowledge according to the provided scale (1 = poor, 10 = excellent) Honesty 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Teachable 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Compatibility With Others 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Respect for Authority 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Spiritual Maturity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Trustworthy 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ministry Skills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Heart for Missions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Interpersonal Skills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Flexibility 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Are you aware of any weaknesses in the participant that give reason to question his/her ability to be a positive contributor to a short-term mission project? Please explain. Please summarize how you feel the applicant would perform on a mission project. Based on the information above, this applicant is: Strongly Recommended Recommended with some reservation as noted above Recommended Not Recommended Signature Date
PERMISSION FORM AND CONSENT (TO BE FILLED OUT BY PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN) Student s Name Date of Birth Address: Phone Number Parent s Work Number Insurance Provider and Policy Number: Family Physician Phone Number In case of emergency, contact: Name Phone Number I hereby consent to the participation of my/our child(ren) in this supervised activity. While precautions are taken for the safety and good health of your child(ren), some sports, projects, activities, and means of transportation carry with them the inherent risk of personal injury beyond the risks associated with many of the recreational activities at the church. I/we understand and accept these risks and agree that by allowing my child to participate in those activities, he/she may be taking part in a recreational activity that presents the potential for personal injury. I/we, the parents or guardians named below, authorize a staff member of Edgewater Alliance Church to sign a consent for medical treatment and to authorize any physician or hospital to provide medical assessment, treatment or procedures for the participant named above. I/we, named below, undertake and agree to indemnify and hold blameless Edgewater Alliance Church, its personnel, its Directors, and board from and against any loss, damage or injury suffered by the participant as a result of being part of the activities of Edgewater Alliance Church, as well as any medical treatment authorized by the supervising individuals representing Edgewater Alliance Church. I have read, understood and agree with the above. I have read, understood and agree with EASM s Financial Policy. Parent/Guardian Signature Date