FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why write fundraising letters?
Fundraising is only part of the letter writing process. We are primarily asking for prayer support for the mission journey and team building process. Many friends and family members are happy to help participate in your mission journey by giving. The responses to support letters are often a means for our students to experience God providing for them through His body.
How can we raise more money?
You may do babysitting, yard work, etc. to contribute to your journey costs.
What happens if we do not raise enough money?
You will be responsible to either pay the balance due on the journey or to meet with church staff to discuss the amount you are able to pay and a possible payment schedule or scholarship.
What happens if my student ends up not being able to go on the journey?
You must do the following:
- Notify Student Missions immediately stating the reason the student is no longer able to participate in the journey.
- Applicant must send a letter to supporters informing them of their decision not to go on the journey.
- Cancellation for June journeys must occur before April 18 for no additional costs to be incurred. Deposit will be returned if the cancellation is by April 18 for June journeys.
- Cancellation for all other journeys must occur before May 16. Deposit will be returned if the cancellation is by May 16 for July journeys.
- If cancellation occurs after these dates, the applicant must pay the difference between the cost of the mission journey and the amount of support raised.
- Deposit will be non-refundable after April 18 (June trips) and May 16 (July trips).
Can we just pay for the journey without writing letters?
If you are uncomfortable asking for finances, you may pay for the journey. However, writing letters for prayer is mandatory for every team member.
Do students have to attend all the meetings?
Yes, the student is expected to attend ALL meetings. However, we understand that emergencies, tests, and important family events may arise. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss, in advance, with a team leader any meetings for which he/she has a conflict and obtain approval to miss the meeting. We provide a list of meeting dates at kick-off. Please inform Student Missions prior to application day if scheduling conflicts arise.
Why do I need a notarized medical release on file?
This release is to protect your child in case medical treatment is required. This release will allow the leaders to obtain medical help and treatment until the parent can be contacted.
What do I need to bring to the first parent meeting?
The first parent/student meeting will be February 21. Please bring the following items:
- Additional deposit payments due for your journey
- Emergency contact information
How are team decisions made?
The review team will use the following information when making an acceptance decision:
- Applicant is a Christian
- Applicant is consistently involved in Bent Tree ministries or serves at the church
- Applicant fulfilled commitment from last year
- Applicant maintains a Christ-like character
- Applicant demonstrates maturity and readiness for journey applied for
- Applicant works well as part of a team
The review team will then work to place students on teams taking into consideration availability, first preference, readiness, gender, team dynamics, and space availability.
For student-led journeys, the student leaders will be making the team decisions with collaboration and direction from adult leaders and staff. These decisions will also be taking the same factors into consideration as listed above.
What happens if my student is assigned to a journey they do not want?
Part of the mission journey process is making yourself available to God’s plan and letting go of individual plans. Please pray for God to reveal to you how He wants to use your student on this journey. Our plans vs. God’s plans.
How will we find out which journey my student is assigned?
The journey assignments will be posted on February 12, 2010, at 5:00 pm on the church website – btbf.org/journeyassignments.
If I am divorced, why am I being asked to obtain a signature from both legal guardians?
In the event of an emergency, and you are unable to be reached, we must be able to contact a parent who has legal rights in order to make medical decisions or financial decisions in regard to the student’s care.
Why can’t an individual trip do a fundraiser on its own?
Because of the way trip support is reported to the IRS, each student is required to participate in the entirety if student missions is entitled to a percentage of any funds raised. Also, the eldership of Bent Tree has asked us to do one large fundraiser as opposed to asking the body multiple times for support through fundraising events apart from letters.
Why can’t my child take their phone?
Simply put, it is a distraction. Trips are a catalyst for growth and a phone call or text to someone from home impedes the learning process. It is important for a student to be removed from their familiar environment to enjoy all of the experiences these trips are designed to facilitate. Also, we have found that many times a phone call home often initiates home-sickness, and focus is taken away from the mission. There is never a time when your student would not be able to call home or be contacted by you in the event of an emergency. Our ministry partners all have phones and our adult leaders are equipped with all contact information.
