Global Youth Ministry’s first priority is the safety of everyone involved in a Global Mission Project. Therefore, we constantly communicate with our contacts and missionaries in a country, as well as the embassy and transportation officials, to carefully evaluate the political and physical environment before travel occurs.  We refuse to take a passive stance on safety and have closed country options in the past and moved students to ensure a safer environment. However, it is also important for team members to understand travel always involves some discomfort and sometimes less than ideal conditions and circumstances.  Complete safety cannot be guaranteed.

In all of our overseas projects we contact the church through our office in the U.S. to let them know that your team member has arrived safely.  We also strive to update the host church on how each team member is doing throughout the week.  In some cases your participant can also purchase a calling card to call back home.  We recommend purchasing these phone cards once we are in country.  Sometimes the cards purchased in the U.S. do not work in all the countries we go.  We can update you as to what is the best method on purchasing phone cards before departing the U.S.  We also will provide you with a number to contact in case of an emergency that requires you reach your student while they are overseas.  In most cases this number is our U.S. office which will provide you with the best way to contact the project leader.

We have an experienced staff that leads our projects.  Your team participant will be led by one of our staff, in most cases they have been to the country in which your participant is going. Often, your team’s staff guide will be a current resident in the country where your team ministers.  All of our staff has years of experience leading projects such as the one your participant will be on.  The person who is leading your team members is in on all of the project planning.  In most cases this person will also be available to do an on site orientation for the team your team member is traveling with before they depart for their mission project.

Global Youth Ministry is focused on developing leaders around the world.  On each project we place your students in an area where they are able to develop leadership skills.  Even before we arrive on the field the team preparation is designed to begin preparing students to develop leadership skills.  We want them to take ownership of the project.  In order for this to happen, we feel that personal responsibility is the key.  Each student is given a specific assignment where leadership skills may be improved while serving others.

First and foremost, each student is there to model their life with Christ, this may be through sharing their testimony or leading a Bible Study, but more often than not it is simply through living their life in such a way that glorifies God in everything that they do on the project.  Each student will also be assigned specific tasks before the project.  They will have opportunity to prepare for what that task is.  The tasks can range from leading small group bible studies to running a sound system.  In many projects we put on a camp or conference in which you student would play the role of a team leader or assistant team leader.  Your student might also help out with recreation, registration, drama, and worship.  We strive to place each student in areas where they are strong, but will also place the students in areas where they can be stretched and grow.

We provide each participant with a manual that offers several examples for fundraising.  We suggest that each team member make a list of people who would join in prayer and also possibly donate funds towards the project.  The team members would write letters to these people, make phone calls to them, make presentations, and deevelop other ways to raise funds with the help provided in the project manual.

The base cost of each participant’s project covers on-site training as well as training materials before departure from the country.  Once in country, the cost includes meals, lodging and ground transportation.  It will also include insurance once in country (explained further in point 8).  In addition, all administrative costs are covered:  leadership, set-up trips, and all communication via calls, letters and faxes to overseas contacts.  The cost does not include application fees, visa costs (if applicable,) U.S. Customs departure taxes and souvenir money.  Also, any costs accumulated as a result of serious violation of Global Youth Ministry rules or any family emergency are not covered. These costs are the responsibility of each student and their family.

Included in the cost of the Project is overseas medical insurance for your participant. Global Youth Ministry uses International Travel Insurance coverage. It is one of the most recognized names in missions insurance. Your insurance includes medical expenses, emergency medical transportation, medical assistance with worldwide medical emergencies, property insurance, disability income benefits and accidental death and dismemberment.

The base cost of each participant’s project covers on-site training as well as training materials before departure from the country. Once in country, the cost includes meals, lodging and ground transportation. It will also include insurance once in country (explained further in point 8). In addition, all administrative costs are covered: leadership, set-up trips, and all communication via calls, letters and faxes to overseas contacts. The cost does not include airfare, application fees, visa costs (if applicable,) U.S. Customs departure taxes and souvenir money. Also, any costs accumulated as a result of serious violation of Global Youth Ministry rules or any family emergency are not covered. These costs are the responsibility of each student and their family.