Outreach
Team Outreach is our short term mission team program. Comprised of people from all walks of life, groups of two to twelve believers have traveled to many different countries for the purpose of evangelism and teaching. This has proven to be an ideal way to introduce Christian pastors and workers to the use of Foundations. In many regions, the schools are open to visitation by these teams; the teams also minister in local churches, Bible schools, and openly in villages. These teams validate the teaching of our indigenous pastors, assist them in reaching new areas, and change the lives of those who participate in this program.
One of our teams included a 14-year old and a 70 year old. Don't think that you are too young or too old. If God is prompting you to go on a short-term mission trip, we encourage you to take a step of faith and go; you will receive untold blessings. We take our team members through a step-by-step process when preparing for a short- term mission trip.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GOING ON A SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIP?
Several times each year Village Ministries International sponsors short-term mission trips to various areas around the world. While trips offer the participants an opportunity to get a glimpse of missions that (unfortunately) very few Americans ever see, the primary purposes of trips like this are to teach the Bible to both pastors and teachers, to validate the ministry of the indigenous missionaries we support in the countries we visit, and to evangelize new areas.WHO CAN GO?
The mission trips are open to all those who have accepted the Lord as their Savior, are interested in fulfilling the Great Commission, are in agreement with the Doctrinal Statement of Village Ministries, and are physically able to handle the travel and stresses of going overseas. Some areas and trips are physically relatively easy and some are demanding; therefore, common sense dictates that some may not be able to go on each and every trip. However, there is usually enough variety in the trips available that most people can find an opportunity on one or more trips.
WHO SHOULD NOT GO?
These are mission trips, and as such are not appropriate for small children. We are usually visiting in remote areas, and people with serious medical situations may also not be good candidates. For example, special dietary needs may be difficult or impossible to accommodate, and refrigeration for medications is frequently unavailable. There are many ways to participate besides actually going to the field, and some may need to confine their involvement to things other than travel.
WHAT DO I DO TO PREPARE?
First, prayerfully consider whether or not the Lord is leading you to this area of service. If you feel led of God to participate, preparation includes both physical and spiritual aspects.
The most time-consuming part of the process is obtaining a passport and receiving the appropriate vaccinations in a timely manner. You will need to consult a health care provider familiar with travel to third-world countries or the CDC for proper immunization schedule for the country in question. We will be happy to discuss these with you, but the final decision regarding health care questions resides with you and your doctor.
Spiritually, you are probably already prepared and just don't know it. You will be challenged to present the Gospel and teach Bible classes; remember, however, that many of the people you will minister to have never had any training or only the most basic of Biblical instruction. Sometimes we use prepared Bible lessons and visual aides, especially for the children. The means of reaching people is a little different in each country; you will rely on your host missionary to lead you through this process.
WHAT DOES IT COST? WHO PAYS FOR THE TRIP?
The costs involved vary greatly, depending on the part of the world visited, the accommodations used in-country, and the length of the trip. Trips to Mexico may cost $600 - $800, but a trip to Africa can easily cost $3,000 or more.
Team members raises their own support. The majority of those that go on a short-term mission trip are helped in part or in total by friends, family, and their local churches. Some of us may find it difficult to ask for such help, but in reality this may be the only way some are able to be involved in a mission trip, and they feel privileged to help send someone else when they cannot go.
WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS AMOUNT?
VMI will arrange for your airline tickets, visas, in-country transportation, regular meals, housing, translators, seminar expenses, and related items.
WHAT ADDITIONAL THINGS DO I PAY FOR?
VMI does not pay for your passport, vaccinations, travel medications (such as anti-malarial drugs), shopping trips souvenirs, snacks, and some entertainment. You will want to bring money to purchase gifts, including thank you gifts for supporters, souvenirs, and perhaps snacks. There may also be some airport meals that you will be eating before you meet or after you leave your team, so a little extra cash is good.WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF GOING ON A TRIP?
After you express your interest, we will send you an information packet for a specific team. It will give details, such as whether or not you need a visa for a given country, required vs. recommended vaccinations, and the estimated cost. You will fill out the application/release form and read and sign VMI's doctrinal statement. This packet should also outline deadlines for certain forms and payments that are needed for VMI to continue the process of obtaining visas, airline tickets, etc. Some countries require an invitation to enter the country, and VMI will secure the necessary paperwork for this also. Our travel coordinator will obtain visas while we are arranging tickets and coordinating other arrangements.
During this time you should also hear from the team leader. Depending on the size and nature of the team, you may be assigned specific duties such as teaching children, teaching Foundations to pastors, or helping with an activity if the team is putting on a camp. You should use the time before you leave wisely to study and prepare, but remember that on the mission field you must be flexible, and your duties/teaching assignments may change after you arrive.
WHO IS IN CHARGE?
Each team will be led by a team leader. This person will be someone familiar with the country to be visited and the missionary you will be assisting; usually, the team leader will have been to this country one or more times previously. The team leader will be responsible for team assignments, paying for the team’s expenses, etc. He/she has a lot to do to keep up with the group and keep records of all the expenditures; your assistance is vital to smooth the operation of the group.
Download and fill out Application forms and fax to:
(405) 634-4465
