Colombia Mission Trip 2012
Colombia 2012 Mission Trip Application Process 1. PRAY! Pray that God will give you wisdom in deciding to apply. 2. READ! Read the following information thoroughly. 3. Check out- www.youtube.com/alivedownriver and watch all the Colombia videos from past trips! 2010 Trip Blog- http://www.christtocolombia.blogspot.com 2009 Trip Blog - http://www.holyholyholyishe.blogspot.com 4. TALK! Discuss the trip with your parents. (give them the enclosed letter) 5. APPLY! Complete this application and turn it in to Adam Dorband or Kevin Mathis 6. Bring your parents to the parents meeting on Friday, Feb 17 th @ 7pm Who Can Apply? Anyone is eligible to apply for a Metro South Church mission trip as long as there is availability and the applicant is in agreement with the Metro South Church rules as stated on the application. The applicant must meet the specific requirements of the trip they are applying for. Application Requirements To apply for a Metro South Church mission trip, please complete and submit the following: 1. Metro South Church Application (with $150 non-refundable/non-transferable registration fee) 2. Participant Agreement 3. Trip Cancellation Policy - Please read 4. Emergency Release Form (if applicable) 5. Copy of passport or proof that you have applied for your passport Once your application has been received, you will receive a confirmation either through email or by letter. Application Deadline All application materials and deposit are due by Sunday, Feb 12 th We have a non- refundable, non-transferable registration fee. To be considered for a trip, all applications must be submitted with the non-refundable registration fee of $150.00. Note: Your registration fee will not be refunded. Deposits and Cancellations Dates listed on the application are U.S. departure and return dates. Total costs listed on the application include the trip fee which covers room, board, ground transportation and other project expenses, plus the international airfare. The trip fee does not include passport, visa or immunizations. Participants who cancel after international flight tickets are secured in their name, will be responsible for the cost of the airline tickets and fees. Where do I send the application and donations? Applications, waivers, documents, photos, donations, etc, can be mailed to: Mailing address: Metro South Church / Attn: Mission Trips. 21080 Penn St. Taylor, MI 48180
Colombia 2012 Trip Information We will meet several times for preparation & training before we leave for Colombia (for required meeting dates keep reading!). We will fly into Bogata, Colombia.(Elevation 8,661 ft) We will go through orientation with YWAM in Bogata, then head to one of several ministry Locations in or near Bogata. (Suba, Subachoque, etc.) We will be working with local churches for about 13 days. Then we ll have a day of debrief & head home. Columbia Info Colombia is Located in South America. While in Colombia we will be working with missionary Darren McCrea. We will be working with local churches and church plants and partnering with them to help them reach their communities. Our ministry will include a variety of tasks including children s ministry with kids from the poorest parts of Bogata, Working with kids at an AIDS orphanage in Subachoque, doing youth rallies & outreaches, leading worship, dramas, testimonies, street evangelism, youth events, & work in local high schools. Bogata Dates: July 18- August 2nd (subject to change by a day either direction) Costs $150 Application Fee- Non-Refundable (if chosen for the team) $1100 Trip cost per student includes: airfare, food, lodging, supplies, transportation, etc. *Additional money needed for: Passport, souvenirs, miscellaneous fees Raising Support All team members will need to raise support through sponsors, working, fundraising, etc. to pay for the trip. In team meetings, you will be assisted in writing a support letter. It is up to each team member to raise his or her support.
Colombia 2012 Mission Trip Dear Parents, Your son/daughter has an opportunity of a lifetime before them. Alive is taking a team of students to Colombia again this summer to give the love of Jesus Christ to people who may have never even heard of God. We will go to feed the hungry and the needy, to work with orphans & children, serve the poor, and partner with local churches & missionaries to bring the gospel to teens and unreached people. This trip will change your student s life forever. I have participated in and led many youth mission trips, including trips to Colombia(twice), Thailand, Latvia, Nicaragua, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Haiti, England, and South Korea; every trip has been an amazing experience that I will remember forever. It may be a little frightening to think of your student traveling across the world with Alive, but I want to assure you that your child s safe return is my number one priority as the youth pastor of Metro South Church. This trip will be safe, and it will stretch the faith of your son/daughter. The trip does cost $1200 and I believe that your student can raise the money. I have seen hundreds of students over the years raise money they never imagined possible. God has a way of teaching us to trust him as we step out to serve him in ways that are beyond our own means. In Colombia we will be working with a mission organization called YWAM. YWAM has been leading missions for over 50 years and is one of the largest & most respected mission organizations in the world. YWAM sends out over 25,000 short-term missionaries each year. They are world renowned in their ability to safely & effectively facilitate mission trips. You can learn more about YWAM at www.ywam.org, or you can check out www.colombianteams.org which is the base we will be working with directly. In 2009 & 2010, we took a total of 88 people to Colombia and had no problems. I want to let you know that I am here to serve you & your students, and I believe that this trip will have an incredible impact on their life and faith. If you have any questions at all about this trip, please call me any time 734-341-7082, or you can email me at Adam@metrosouthchurch.com. I would love to talk through any questions or concerns you may have. Please consider sending your teen to take the trip of a lifetime this summer. Thanks, Adam Dorband Pastor of Student Ministries Metro South Church
Colombia 2012 Purpose Metro South Church and Alive Youth Ministries have planned a mission trip to Bogata, Colombia for the summer of 2012. We are partnering with an organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Youth With A Mission is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to presenting Jesus Christ personally to this generation, to mobilize as many as possible to help in this task, and to the training and equipping of believers for their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. While in Colombia our team will be doing a variety of ministry including children s ministry with kids in the poorest parts of Bogata, Working with an AIDS orphanage, evangelism, dramas, music, testimonies, leading worship, youth outreaches and work with churches and church plants in and around Bogata. Our goal is to establish relationship with local churches with whom we car partner long term & help them reach their city with the gospel of Jesus Christ! Expectations. The following is the criteria which will be used in selecting the team: 1. Holy Spirit s Guidance. The leadership team will be seeking God for his leadership in every aspect of this trip. That includes seeking his guidance in choosing the team. 2. Personal Spiritual Growth. Mission team members are expected to be active in personally pursuing God. This is demonstrated by involvement in Metro South Church, LIFE Groups, and Alive(for those in high school). Hebrews 10:25 3. Serving Others Locally. We expect the members of our team to be in regular service to others, especially in the church. This may include leading in metro kids, or serving in sound, set-up, a worship band, Fuel, Alive, visitor follow up, drama team, dance team, or other involvement in the church. Galatians 5:13 4. Understanding of Missions. This trip is intended to help you grow spiritually. It is expected that members of the team are prepared to work under hardship, and give up their personal rights and desires for the sake of the team goals. Students should understand that constant serving, sacrifice, flexibility, and compassion are needed at levels that will stretch all members. This is Not a vacation. Matthew 28:19-20 5. Servants Attitude. This is God s number one criteria for leadership. This is what Jesus expects from us- he wants us to have the same attitude he had- that of a servant. If you show this attitude at home, we will know you are ready to go beyond the downriver with your ministry. Phil. 2:3-8 6. A lifestyle that honors God. Living a life that is Christ like is important. This is a must for anyone on a metro missions team. Your lifestyle will be taken into account when choosing the team. 7. Maturity. Traveling across the world is an exciting and challenging experience, and one that requires maturity from every member of the team. 7. Commitment. In order to prepare for this trip there is much preparation that is required both individually and as a team, and team members are expected to be at team meetings and complete requirements on or before deadlines(ex. Applying for passports, fundraising, etc.)
MISSION TRIP APPLICATION FORM 2012 To begin your application process, please fill out the following form. When stating your name, please submit your name as it appears on the passport. Applications are given preference in the order received. One registrant per form. NOTE: $150.00 non-refundable/non-transferable registration fee is required to begin processing of your application. Dates of the trip Country you want to go to? Full name as it would appear on passport: Valid Passport Number: Passport Expiration Date: Please attach 2 color photocopies of your valid passport with this application. Your Air Ticket will be secured in the name you have given us above PLEASE make sure spelling is exactly as it appears on your passport or TSA will not allow you to board the plane. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY. Date of Birth: Mailing address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Email: Gender: MALE or FEMALE If married - Spouse s Name: Church Affiliation: If you speak any other languages than English, please list: What is your ability to speak this language? FLUENT TECHNICAL CONVERSATIONAL What other Missions trips have you been on before? Please list where: Area of Missions Interest: Construction Evangelism Interpreter Medical Please list any special skills you could contribute: Are you an U.S. citizen? Y or N If not, please give details: Shirt Size: SMALL MEDIUM LARGE X-LARGE XX-LARGE XXX-LARGE Are you physically fit and free of medical conditions or disabilities that could limit your activities and/or prevent you (and others) from safely performing the volunteer services for which you are applying? Y or N
Are you currently taking any medications on a regular basis? If yes, please list all medications. Known allergies? Emergency Contact: Name: Relationship: Home Phone #: Cell #: Home Address: REFERENCES Name your two best friends (Include their name and Phone #) Name one adult for a reference (Alive Leader, Teacher, Life Group Leader) SPIRITUAL INFORMATION Is Metro South your home church? What services(s) do you attend? If not, where do you attend? How long have you attended? How long have you attended Alive? Do you serve in any ministry in or outside the church? Where do you serve? If you don t, why not? Why do you desire to serve on this team/go on this trip? Describe your prayer life. *On a separate piece of paper type your testimony: It should include all of the following parts- before you knew Christ, the event of accepting Christ, and your life since then (this should be the longest part). You should also include why you would pay $1,200 and spend your summer serving God, and how is your life different because of Jesus Christ- i.e. - What difference does knowing Christ make in your life & give some specific examples. Tell your story. Requirements- at least 1 page. Typed. (During the trip you will be sharing your story)
How would you describe your current relationship with God? Do you regularly read your Bible? What have you been reading lately? What are you learning from it? What are your top three prayer requests concerning your involvement with this trip? PERSONAL INFORMATION Have you been involved with any of the following within the past 6 months? Alcohol? ( ) Yes ( ) No Any type of sexual activity? ( ) Yes ( ) No Theft? ( ) Yes ( ) No! Non prescription drugs? ( ) Yes ( ) No Criminal activity? ( ) Yes ( ) No Have you been convicted of committing a crime? ( ) Yes ( ) No If yes to any, please explain: What do you see as your strongest character quality and why? What do you see as your weakest character quality and why?
Name ways you plan to raise the money for this trip (at least 5): How do your parents feel about you applying for the trip? HEALTH INFORMATION Do you have or have you ever had any of the following? ( ) Fainting Spells! ( ) Heart Problems! ( ) Diabetes ( ) Seizures ( ) Eating Disorder! ( ) Respirator problems ( ) Frequent and/ or severe headaches ( ) Nervous Breakdown ( ) Mental Problems ( ) Asthma ( ) Allergies ( ) Hearing Difficulties ( ) High/Low blood pressure ( ) Breathing Problems ( ) Digestion Problems! ( ) Back or neck Problems! ( ) Others *If yes, please explain: * On a separate piece of paper, explain the circumstances (include date) surrounding any attempted suicide. Do you have any condition which might affect your ability to fully function as a Missionary on this trip (i.e., fear of flying, depression, anxiety attacks, sleeping disorders)? If yes, please explain: Submit completed applications to: Metro South Church (Adam Dorband) Please include a $150.00 non-refundable application fee with your completed application. Confirm that you have PRINTED your name clearly AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT. Please attach 2 COLOR COPIES of your passport Approval I recommend the above participant believing that he/she is spiritually and emotionally suited for this mission trip. Pastor s Signature *Include a list of at least 20 people s names & address who you can send support letters to. This can be any family members, friends, etc. They do not need to be followers of Christ, they just need to be connected to you somehow. *Note: Submission of application and all requested information does not guarantee anyone a place on the team. Decisions regarding team membership are solely in the hands of Metro South Church.
Colombia Team 2012 Agreement Sheet If I am accepted for the Colombia mission trip, I will agree to the following requirements: 1. I agree to submit to the leaders representing Alive and Metro South Church as they do their best to lead the team through this adventure in faith. 2. I agree to abide by all rules and policies of the missionaries in Colombia and the rules set by Metro South leadership. 3. I understand that ALL team meetings are mandatory and I am required to be there.(see next page for the list of Required Colombia team prep times) I am committing to make this trip a priority in my life for the next 5 months. 4. I am committed to sharing what God teaches me this summer with the people that send me, particularly my family, friends, Metro South Church, and Alive or Unite. I will do my best to use what I learn in Colombia to serve at home! 5. I am fully aware that if my behavior does not meet the standards set up by the leadership I may be asked to step down as a member of the team. (With no refund of monies paid toward the trip.) 6. I understand that I am responsible for raising the full cost of the trip through letters to friends/family, fundraisers, and my personal job. I realize that it is a unique opportunity for me to go on this short-term mission trip and that not all students in the High School Ministry will have this opportunity. Because of this, I will return to Metro bound by a commitment to return the investment that has been made in me by metro south church. Upon my return, I will faithfully serve and take part in the Life of Metro South Church and Alive Name of Applicant Signature of Applicant Date Signature of Parent(if under 18) Date
Required Colombia Team Prep times February 12 th - Application deadline Feb 17 th - Student & Parents meeting- 7pm * We will have short 10 min. meetings After Alive Every other week as needed! March 17th- 7am-10am (Saturday) April 21st- 9am-Noon (Saturday) May 19th- 9am-noon (Saturday) July 10th- Colombia Parent & students meeting- 7pm * If you cannot meet these requirements, please do not apply.
Colombia 2012 DETAILS July 18-August 2nd Health: There are no Immunizations required for Colombia. Vaccinations suggested for all international travel: Tetanus/Diphtheria Booster - You should have had a tetanus booster within the last 5 years. If you have never had the initial series, you will need to make sure your tetanus booster is current. Hepatitis A - Consult your doctor Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - Two injections, if you have not been immunized in the past. Consult your doctor. Polio Booster - If you have never had a booster. Consult your doctor. Insurance: Everyone should have adequate medical insurance coverage. First check to see if your current policy will cover you abroad. Some will cover short-term overseas travel. Some do not. If your current health insurance policy does not cover your trip, you may secure a short-term overseas policy from you insurance agent. Make sure your additional coverage includes EMERGENCY EVACUATION! No medical insurance for team members or leaders is provided. Medical Care on the Field: In the event that medical care is necessary for illness or injury, parents or guardians will be responsible for all related expenses: doctor, hospital, medicine, transportation, etc. If medical treatment exceeds a team member's available funds Metro South Church will see that treatment is provided and contact the parents or guardians for immediate reimbursement. Should it be necessary to fly a team member home for health reasons, the parents or guardians will assume all financial responsibility. Financial Support: Total Cost of the trip - $1200 $1200 will cover the following: Travel & Lodging, Food, Preparation, Equipment, Administration, Evangelism Supplies, Miscellaneous. Support letters: All team members are encouraged to send support Letters to help raise money for their trip! Please get started on this ASAP!
Remember: (include 1-3 in your letters) 1. Please make checks payable to Metro South Church. 2. Checks made out to Metro South are tax deductible. 3. Please put the team member's name on the check memo line. 4. Since this is a team effort, any extra support will go to help team members who are having difficulty raising support at leaders discretion. Additional support will go toward team preparation & expenses. Payment Schedule: Due dates $150 Deposit -----Due with Application Feb 12, 2012 $250 Due on or before March 18th, 2012 $250 Due on or before April 29th, 2012 $300 Due on or before June 3rd, 2012 $300 Due on or before July 1st, 2012 Personal Finances Abroad: Spending money - Team members will need to bring some cash or an ATM/Debit Card (not travelers checks) for personal expenses while traveling and abroad. This is a conservative guideline, as individual spending habits and resources vary greatly. Personal spending (snacks, Souvenirs & Postcards, etc.) $30-100 Communication: Email Two or three to parents - No News is good news! Website/blog will be updated every few days with info, pics & videos & prayer requests. American Missionary in Colombia: Darren McCrea International Tel. 305-677-0100 (Miami based number) www.ourlovingfather.com, or www.colombianteams.org Team Leader: Adam Dorband- 734-341-7082. adam@metrosouthchurch.com PASSPORTS! (You must have a passport to go!) Process 1. Get Application & Photo at a U.S. Post office 2. Fill it out and pay $100.00 for first time passport (or $85 if under 16yrs. old) 3. Wait 4-6 weeks