| Mission Trip FAQ’S |
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Mission Trip FAQs How do I determine which trip to go on? You first step is to learn of all the different mission trip opportunities that are available, by visiting our website (www.idlewild.org/missions), picking up a ‘Trip Information Card’ in the Missions Café or calling our missions ministry office at 813-264-8727. Plan to attend the mission trip information meetings that will be offered 6-9 months before the trip and advertised in our Excite and Wednesday order of service or by calling the Mission Trip leader (contact info on the Trip Information Card). And lastly but most important spend time in prayer. Ask God to reveal to you where He can use your gifts for His work. What if there is an emergency on the field? All mission trips have information on the local hospitals and places that our volunteers can be taken to get medical assistance. The mission’s ministry has the emergency contact number for the team leader in the field and the ministry they are working with. And a phone call chain is created by the team leader, for the purpose of conveying information or news from the field to those back home. Is there anything that could disqualify me from a Mission trip? All mission trips have ‘General” requirements to be able to go on a mission trip: membership status, background check, & financial requirements. But there are “specific” requirements that are unique to each trip: skills needed, physical demands of the trip, previous mission trip experience, others (you can get more details on the requirements of each trip by attending one of the information meetings. How is the cost of mission trip determined? Some of the trip expenses include airfare; vehicle rental and gasoline; housing; food; faxes; shipping; visas and work permits; training materials and speakers; and ministry materials for door-to-door evangelism, youth programs, sports evangelism, adult discipleship, and construction. The Missions Ministry Pastor allocates an amount to every mission trip based on available budget. What is the team member’s expected contribution? The cost for Idlewild members is posted on the Mission website or the Trip Information Cards in the Missions Café Bulletin Board; non-members need to contact the Missions Ministry office for their cost. The cost of the trip for Idlewild members will not include any personal costs incurred in preparation for the trip (passports, shots and meds, postage for support letters, etc. For more information, etc.). Any amounts that the members raises above and beyond their cost for the mission trip will be applied to the overall cost of the trip or to financially help another member. Do we make every effort to explore “bargains” and “special deals” to minimize airline costs? Yes we have a person (MTC Mission Trip Coordinator) on staff that works with many travel agencies to procure the lowest price possible. The travel agents we use are specialist in working with short term ministry groups going to developing countries. The MTC efforts and expertise have not only saved us money in the long run, but they have given us invaluable help with foreign governments, international banking, travel insurance, passports, visas, and emergency changes in travel itinerary. What is not included in the cost of the trip? • Passports/passport photos • Prayer letters • Medical exams, shots, and travel medications (Note that these could total well over $100, depending on your individual medical insurance coverage.) • Souvenirs • Personal meals separate from the team • Some tourist-type events • Meals during travel
Will I need shots? Most of the places we go to do recommend immunizations. Some countries may “require” immunization against a particular disease. If an immunization is required, you must have proof of that immunization to enter the country or to return to the United States. For the most up-to-date information on what is needed for the country you will visit, contact Centers for Disease Control or a local travel clinic. Wherever you go, your tetanus should be up to date. What is a visa? A visa is an entry requirement required by a foreign government in addition to your passport. Not all foreign governments require a visa. A visa may be stamped on your passport, or a paper visa may be affixed to your passport. If a visa is required, we’ll provide the appropriate visa application forms for you to complete. Most visa applications require 2-3 passport-size photos as well. The visa fees for each team member are included in the team budget. (Note: If you are not a U.S. citizen, please make sure that the team leader and the Short Term Ministry Department know this. It may mean a different visa process for you.) If you do not have a passport, we recommend that you begin the process immediately.. Most countries require that travelers’ passports not expire within six months of the end of travel. Please check your passport immediately. If it is set to expire within six months at the end of this trip, please begin the process to renew it now. What about travel insurance? Basic emergency medical evacuation/transportation; trip cancellation; lost baggage, and accidental death & dismemberment coverage is included in the team budget. For anything outside of this list, you will need to purchase your own overseas medical insurance or check your current insurance to find out if you are covered. Several insurance companies specialize in short-term missions travel coverage at inexpensive rates. Contact our Mission Trip Coordinator for a list of options. Is it acceptable to raise money through car washes, bake sales, rummage sales, etc.? The key question to ask is, “Would raising money in this way diminish the value of my short term ministry in the eyes of my family and friends?” In light of this possibility, we encourage people to raise funds primarily through their prayer letters. Also, raising funds through prayer letters gives you experience for what it would be like to raise funds for a long-term mission’s assignment. Lastly, we don’t want to enable people to think giving to missions is only worthy when receiving a personal benefit. Is financial support available from the church? We have found, 99% of the time, that if prayer/support letters are sent out on schedule and at least 50 copies are mailed, all the funds come in. Our Idlewild On Mission Fund allow us to offer the mission trips at a substantially reduced price to our members. We do not provide a set % we contribute to the members trip, but offer them a cost that is many times at 50% of total cost. Contact Shannon Smith (813-264-8727) for more information. How critical are the financial deadlines? The deadlines are vital. Usually the deadline is determined based on a major payment for airlines, visas, housing accommodations, or vehicle rental deposits. Therefore, every effort must be made to make payments on time. If, through unforeseen circumstances, this is not possible, let your team leader know as soon as possible. We require that all trip cost be paid 100% within 60 days of the trip. See individual trip information cards for trip schedules. Is this trip tax deductible? Yes, each person who gives financial support to you will receive a receipt, as long as the check is made out to Idlewild Baptist Church. The church will only give receipts on donations of $25 or more. Otherwise, the canceled check is the receipt. Please make sure your financial supporters are aware of this. Other personal trip-related expenses paid by participants may be deductible as charitable contributions. Consult IRS Publication 526 and/or your tax preparer for more specific information. What is the proper way to explain to people how to give money to my ministry? The explanation should contain the following information: Contributions should be above and beyond normal tithes and offering commitments they have made. Checks must be made out to Idlewild Baptist Church. Encourage your supporters to give online. Your name should be noted on the check and the location of trip. Mission Trip Contributions should be put in the Drop Box in the Missions Café. Instruct your supporters to use the envelopes you provide. Funds that exceed your individual needs will go to assist others on your team. Excess funds will not carry over for your participation on another Idlewild-sponsored short term team or a future short term or long-term ministry with a mission agency. Funds that exceed your team’s need will go to assist other Idlewild-sponsored teams. Contributions are non-refundable. All funds must be in by the final deadline. If I decide to cancel my involvement in the trip or the trip itself is canceled, can I get my money back? If you cancel your involvement after travel documents are purchased (airfare, visas, etc.) you will be expected to cover all of the fees, penalties, and losses incurred to that point. If you have questions about this, feel free to contact Shannon Smith, at 813-264-8727 If the Short Term Ministry department cancels the trip, we will refund all your money. What if more money comes in for me than what I need? Throughout this ministry you will function as part of a team. Your effectiveness is determined not just from an individual standpoint, but also as a team. Also, each person’s ability to raise funds varies depending on who they know, how many people they know, their ability to communicate effectively, etc. Therefore, since the goal is to fund the entire team, any monies given beyond what you need will go to support other team members who are struggling with their funds.
What does the entry “Member reduced price” on the mission trip info cards mean? What if less money comes in for me? If you are short of funds before you leave for the trip, and everyone’s excess has already been applied to those who are low on support, and the church’s contribution has been added to your account, then you will have to personally make up the difference before departure. Is it possible for individuals to arrange separate itineraries to visit friends, participate in other ministries, sightsee before or after the project, or to use personal frequent flyer miles? We do not plan separate itineraries for people except when they need to do so to accomplish the goals of the team. Using ferquent flyer miles is more work for our Travel Coordinator and many times it will affect the price of the airline tockets. We have found that our travel arrangements go much more smoothly if everyone is on the same itinerary. Having separate itineraries not only makes it more complicated for the travel agents, but also makes it difficult to arrange for group discounts and to maintain quality travel and housing arrangements. Separate itineraries also tend to disrupt team bonding and unity, especially when there is a canceled or delayed flight. Is it possible to find out who has given and how much they have given toward my support? You can call the Missions Ministry office and request a list of donors for your mission trip. “Does Idlewild have a sample Prayer/Support Letter for team members to use?” In the Mission Trip Application package there is a sample of the prayer and support letter that you can use to send out to your circle of friends, co-workers and family. “Are there are any meetings before the mission trip?" Yes, there will be a number of meetings before you go on the mission trip (the number will depend on the needs of each mission trip).These meetings are mandatory and critical for the success of the mission trip. In these meetings you will have an opportunity to develop a ‘team’ mentality; train for the different ministries you will be involved in; pray for the individuals on the team as well as the people you will be ministering to.
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