General

Selection for a short term mission is based on a first-come-first-serve basis, pending the approval of the Global Outreach Team. The Global Outreach team reserves the right to approve and deny members, at any time, based on team needs, lack of reasonable accommodations, or lifestyles in congruent to Oak Hills Church policy or the Missions Covenant.
Travelers must be a minimum of 10 years old. Travelers age 10-15 must be accompanied by at least 1 legal guardian. Travelers age 16-17 may travel alone with written and notarized consent by BOTH parents. The above age specifications are not applicable for OHC Student High School Ministry led trips.
Team members must attend pre-trip training. Attendance of less than 75% of the meetings is grounds for denial to attend the mission, at the traveler’s expense.
A portion of your trip expense is allocated to cover your Trip Leader(s) expenses.
The use of tobacco (including vaporizers), alcohol, or illicit drugs is prohibited. In a rare cultural situation where it may be considered insulting to refuse alcoholic beverages, the conscience of the traveler and the discretion of the trip leader may dictate.

Financial

$100 non-refundable deposit is required with your short-term mission application. This fee is applied to the cost of the trip. This deposit can be transferred to another STM trip if your plans change, or the trip is cancelled.
Trip costs include airfare, in-country transportation, lodging, travel medical insurance, meals, Customs entrance fees, ministry supplies including but not limited to Children's Ministry, ministry expenses related to Dental, Medical, and Construction materials, along with any Ministry expenses specifically related to your STM trip area of focus and service. The traveler is responsible for all additional costs, including but not limited to passports, Visa fees (Africa, Brazil), immunizations, personal items, and free day activities.
Trip payments are considered tax-deductible contributions. Per the Internal Revenue Service, payments will not be refunded.
Payment in full is required by all team members 3 days prior to travel. Exceptions can only be made with Team Leader approval, and is typically limited to those pending further contributions from donors. The maximum extension available is 1 week post trip return.
If a traveler is unable to attend the mission trip for any reason, notify the trip leader or Global Outreach office immediately. The team member is responsible for paying for all costs accrued by the missions team. This may include, but is not limited to airfare, travel medical insurance, Visas, and lodging deposits. The cost of your voided airline ticket may be applied to a different flight (in your name) up to one year from date of purchase, less the airline cancellation fee.

Fundraising

Fundraising is permitted. All funds received must go to the cost of the missions trip, and may not be used for souvenirs or sightseeing activities.
Donations are tax deductible and non-refundable.
Funds raised that exceed the cost of the trip may be utilized toward a future OHC mission trip for the traveler, donated to another team member, or donated to a mission related ministry, as approved by the Global Outreach team.

Mission Team Covenant

As a member of the short term mission team, I agree to:

Remember that I am representing Jesus Christ, as well as Oak Hills Church. I will model Jesus in my behavior and attitude.
Remember that I am a guest working at the invitation of my host. I will remember the missionary’s prayer, “Where you lead me, I will follow; what you feed me, I will swallow.” (Except when an obvious health risk).
REMAIN FLEXIBLE! Things do not always go as planned. Schedules are dictated by the culture, not always by our watches.
Dress appropriately, as accepted by the culture we are experiencing (not by American standards).
Respect their culture. We are “guests” in their country and our actions and reactions should always reflect that.
Remember that we have come to learn, as well as to teach. I will resist the temptation to inform our hosts about “how we do things.” I will be open to learning about other people’s methods and ideas.
Respect the host’s view of Christianity, recognizing that Christianity has many faces throughout the world and that the purpose of this trip is to experience faith lived out in a new setting.
Develop and maintain a servant attitude toward all nationals and my teammates.
Attend team meetings before the trip, and any follow-up meetings (75% required).
Remember not to be exclusive in my relationships. If attending with a spouse/significant other/family member, we will make every effort to interact with all members of the team. If I am single and attracted to a teammate, I will not attempt to pursue a relationship while on the trip.
Refrain from any activity that could be construed as a romantic interest in a national or a teammate.
Refrain from illegal drugs and abstain from consumption of alcohol or use of tobacco while on the trip.
I agree to abide by the fundraising procedures endorsed by Oak Hills Church and will personally thank all financial donors that contribute to my trip.
Remember that I can be sent home if I do not adhere to this Covenant, the OHC Beliefs, or if my Team Leader believes it is in my best interest or that of the team.
Respect any trip leader(s) by: Bringing all trip concerns, complaints of any kind, first to my trip leader’s attention privately, and not to fellow teammates or missionaries in the country we are serving. I realize even by doing so, decisions may be made contrary to my suggestions or beliefs, but I respectfully submit to the leader’s decision.

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