Missions Task Force

Okay, we have a plan and a place, now what?

Research the culture, customs, “do’s & don’ts”
Do you need a passport ? if yes, contact County Clerk office
Do you need immunizations ? contact County Health Dept.
Create a standard for team members who are going: age (recommend 15 years & up), health, attitudes needed =
1) a servant spirit we serve our brothers their way!
2) flexible! Stuff changes, many things beyond our control & comfort level…roll wit it!
3) willingness to try! “tree chicken” story
4) Take a bag for the team you can take 2 bags on airplane…give one for supplies, one for yourself.

How do you raise funds to go?

buy a bunch of lottery tickets (just kidding!)
add to church budget / Faith Promise budget
fund raisers:
bake sales
dinners
Talent projects = pass out $ 100-$500 & have folks use for 4-6 weeks, return money with testimonies!
Sponsorships
Other ideas?
Team members need to bear some of the cost
Trust God for this…it’s part of the Faith Adventure

Okay, we’re ready to go!

Have a Commissioning Service = make it Prime Time Sunday Morning!
Develop prayer cards, prayer support group
Have team members keep a journal of the trip = inexpensive notebooks
Pack & weigh luggage before you go = check weight limits, be realistic what you need and can carry!

We are here now - what’s next?

Trust local leaders
Build friendships…that often is most important part of whole trip!
Show honor & respect to local folks = do it their way, even if it don’t make sense! story of the cement mixer in Belem, Brazil…
Have daily devotions with the group

Expect these things:

Delays, shortages, and change is a constant
Frustrations & conflicts
Illness (the “mission trip two step” ) & fatigue
New experiences, wonderful discoveries, amazing serendipities!
That God’s grace is sufficient for all your needs

Saying Good bye:

Follow custom rules
Don’t make promises you cannot keep
Do not give gifts without prior consultation with missionary or local leader’s insight
Record thoughts, insights, in your journal as you travel home.

We’re home now, what’s next?

Have a Celebration Service = make it Prime Time Sunday Morning!
Have Team members share testimonies or journal insights
Do slides, power points, recorded music, table of souvenirs, etc.
Invite church to do a dinner as you had = “ chicken soup w/ bones & tortillas” story
Be willing to share with other churches, schools, groups, etc. about your trip!
Be a part of the next Team = as a Sent one or as a Sender!

Appendix - Ideas for a trip / Contacts for Mission trips:

Church of God campgrounds
Obadiah Smith, Coordinator for Compassionate Ministries for the Church of God (disaster relief and Native American, Hispanic and Urban projects) contact = 765-648-2165 / OSmith@chog.org.
Yearbook contacts: pp. 67-97 "Freestanding Ministries"
Global Missions of the Church of God contact: Bob Edwards 765-5648-2140. BEdwards@chog.org.
Family Connection Ministries contact information = 765-534-4110 ext. 101 or www.familyconnectionic.org
Hope Hill Children’s Home, Kentucky - contact 859-498-5230
Church on the Street Atlanta – 770-966-1216 / Kurt Salierno, www.churchonthestreet.com

Michigan leaders to contact:
Pastor Demetrius Booker–Lighthouse Community COG; 313-541-2626; PastorDB1@sbcglobal.net

Pastor Bob Confer – St. Joseph First COG (many places!) - 269-983-1524 / www.myfirstchurch.com

Pastor Don Hendrick – Allegan First COG (Hurricane relief) - 269-673-4302 / fcog@pathtohim.org

Dr. Bill Jones, State Pastor and Overseer, Sevice Center, 1-800-369-5890 / www.choginmi.org

Pastor Dave Perry – Greenville First COG - (Hurricane Relief/Brazil/Guatemala)-616-754-3187 / dwperry804@charter.net