• Visit the link: https://summitpa.gomethod.app/#/
• Click “Apply today”.  If you haven’t already, you’ll be prompted to create & activate a GoMethod account
• Answer application questions & submit trip application
• Pay non-refundable deposit
• Participate in follow-up interview 3 weeks after the deadline to apply
• Commit to the training date schedule
• Obtain required clearances
• Obtain a physician’s approval prior to travel

(Your submission of this application and the interview does not mean you are automatically approved on the team. A vetting process will occur for final placements)

What do I need to know about fundraising?

Our training curriculum, Help! We’re Going On A Short-Term Trip! by CultureLink lays out the Biblical foundation for building a support team. As the material makes clear, these are people committed to join you in ministry through prayer, encouragement, and financial backing. Not only do you represent God, but you represent their investment in you. This backing will encourage you during your preparation, ministry, as well as your return. This is not begging for money, but rather inviting people to be a part of God’s work and blessing.

It is highly encouraged and recommended to approach fundraising in a biblical way for your trip by building a support team. You will learn the process to follow in order to build this support team, as well as be provided with guidelines for writing and sending a prayer/financial support letter.

Please know: Although we desire to assist you, Summit Church will not be responsible for providing these fundraising opportunities/events for you. We are looking forward to seeing how God provides for you!

Will people be able to give towards my trip online?
Yes! Once approved, you’re automatically given a personal online funding link to your own page where people can give online via debit or credit card. When people give using this tool, it’s automatically deposited into your account. You can edit your funding page to make it personal, expressing why you’re going on this trip and what you’ll be doing or hope to gain. You can explain that by partnering with you, they’ll be playing a part in seeing every life made different.

Alternative Fundraising ideas:

• Use the online personal funding page link. Share on social media, Facebook messenger, text message, email, etc. (Can share this link with 100-200 people asking them to give $10, because every small amount counts).
• Mail out support letters to friends, family, and local businesses – handwritten, type, or email letters. A support letter template is available.
• Request financial gifts toward your trip rather than holiday or birthday gifts
• Sell personal belongings, resources, or equipment that you don’t use or need/Garage sale
• Strategically set aside money- eat out less, spend less money on clothes, etc.
• Sell t-shirts, bracelets, etc.
• Paint or make a craft and advertise sales for that
• Parents night out – watch kids while parents go out
• Research ideas and don’t be limited to this list!

Will gifts made by others be tax-deductible?
Gifts given toward your trip by friends and family are considered tax-deductive gifts to Summit Church and therefore non-refundable, in accordance with tax law.

Will payments made by me be tax-deductible?
Payments made by you are not tax-deductible and are also considered non-refundable.

If I decide to drop out, can I get my money back?
Payments made by the trip member or donated on their behalf are non-refundable.

When is the money due?

Each trip has communicated payment deadlines. The 5% non-refundable deposit is due on the application deadline, 50% of total trip funds are due by the 2.5 months out, 85% of total trip funds are due 1.5 months out, and 100% of total trip funds are due 1 month out from the departure date.

Where will we stay?
This answer varies on each trip depending on the preferences of the ministry partner host and what’s safe and closest to the ministry area we’ll be visiting. The final answer will be revealed over time during training meetings.

Do I need to bring gifts along?
Bringing gifts is not mandatory and the decision to do so is dependent upon the request of the ministry partner host and the preferences of the team leader. Often, it is simpler & more effective to send money to allow the host to use it at their discretion to buy gifts depending upon the needs of the area. Bringing the gifts with us in luggage can get heavy and expensive. By sending money to the host rather than mailing the gifts, we’re able to bypass shipping fees.

Will I be safe?
Each mission trip is planned with a ministry partner Summit Church supports and has relationship with or is a reputable organization that regularly hosts teams. There is risk on any travel experience, but you can rest assured in knowing that our hosts know the area & the culture well. They wouldn’t take us to a place where they wouldn’t go themselves.

Do I need to have my passport book before I apply for an international trip? How much does one cost and how long does it take to get it?
No. You should apply for your passport immediately following applying for your World Reach trip. Your passport should be in hand by the 1st meeting date.

The cost for a first-time adult passport book is $135 ($110 application fee + $25 acceptance fee). Passport processing take between 4 to 6 weeks. All information can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html.

Will I need to get vaccinations or preventative medication?
You will be asked to receive guidance on this from your primary care physician. When you make your appointment for your physical examination, you can get the necessary information, vaccinations, or medications at this time. You may do research beforehand on the CDC website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). You may also visit Passport Health – Travel Clinic in the surrounding areas for this guidance.

How do I pack for this?
A recommended packing list will be provided for each team. Details will be discussed in team meetings.

Will I have trip insurance?
Travel Insurance is purchased for all domestic and international trips through Chubb. For international trips, we also contract with International SOS who is the pioneer + leader in international health + security risk management.

What training material will the team work through together?
Our teams will use CultureLink’s Short-Term Missions Curriculum. CultureLink says the following on their website:

“Our curriculum, Help! We’re Going On A Short-Term Trip!, has been well-received and glowingly reviewed by churches and organizations across a wide variety of backgrounds and denominations. Missionaries and church leaders have consistently commented on how better prepared, servant-oriented, and impactful CULTURELink-trained teams are.

Regardless of the specific ministry task or location, every team needs to be trained in basic issues such as cultural sensitivity and the development of a support team. CULTURELink’s curriculum provides a systematic, interactive training approach to preparing a short-term mission team for ministry. The CULTURELink curriculum is not limited to international missions. The processes and training topics included are equally relevant to work in the U.S. No matter the team’s destination, we believe a well-discipled team is the most effective cross-cultural team.”

Will I be able to contact my family while I’m away internationally?
Summit Church provides an international plan for team leaders on each global mission trip. Team members are invited to contact their family using their leaders’ phone plan. On most trips, wifi is available to connect with family and friends back home.

Do I need to speak the language of the country?
The message of Christ’s love transcends language. You will be surprised by how much you can communicate without words! It can also be a great learning experience to not always understand everything that is going on around you. Translators will be available to help be our voice in ministering directly with people. By building a great relationship with your translator, it opens the door to better communication and a guide to local culture.

What do I need to know about the culture?
Your team leader will educate you on what’s culturally sensitive, while the host can explain cultural differences prior to the trip and during the trip. You’ll learn that culture seeps into our view of Scripture, authority is view differently, and the way people take care of each other varies. You’ll learn there’s a difference between what is right vs. what is wrong. Just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. The American way is not the only way. Personal research prior to the trip is encouraged.

Do I need to bring medical supplies? Will a nurse be on this trip?
A medical bag with general World Reach trip medical supplies will be provided and discussed in training meetings. If additional supplies or personal medications are needed, it is the trip member’s responsibility to bring them. We try to recruit a nurse for each world reach trip, but it will not be guaranteed. When we contract with International SOS for international trips, we always have a professional nurse on call via phone.

Where can I find out travel information? Where can I find information about prayer & world missions?
For travel information, you can find details on the Center for Disease Control website and will also receive information after approval through International SOS. For information about prayer + world missions, please visit CultureLink’s Country & Culture Research, as well as the Joshua Project Network.