Mission Trip Training Manual - Leaders Edition

MISSION TRIP LEADERS MANUAL

Prepared by Liberty Live Church

Manual Introduction

Purpose of the Missions Trip Manuel :

The purpose of this leader mission trip manual is to equip and empower leaders with the knowledge and resources they need to lead successful mission trips. Through practical guidance, best practices, and biblical principles, this manual aims to help leaders develop a clear vision for their mission trip, effectively organize their team, engage in culturally sensitive ministry, and maximize impact in the community they serve. Ultimately, this manual seeks to help leaders fulfill their calling to serve others and share the love of Christ in a meaningful and transformative way.

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TRIP MEMBER PROCESS

TRIP LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

ROLE AS A TRIP LEADER - Click here to watch video on roles of a trip leader

There are several qualities that we look for in trip leaders:

• Team player who works well with others.

• Values good communication.

• Places priority on serving others.

• Committed to working diligently to see the success of the mission trip.

• Someone who will work with Mission’s leadership on trip details.

• Agrees with the theology and direction of Liberty Live.

TRIP LEADER RESPONSBILITIES: Click Here to View Video

1. Meet with Mission's Pastor and Mission's Assistant to iron out trip details. Trip details include:

• Developing trip dates.

• Developing a trip budget.

• Developing application dates and deadlines.

• Planning trip meeting dates.

• Planning when to purchase airline tickets

• Other logistical details

2. Contact field representative to confirm trip dates.

3. Work with the Missions Ministry Assistant to set parameters of our GoMethod web site and launch date.

(Note: While the missions ministry assistant will handle all the details, it's important for the trip team leader to approve and agree upon them.)

i. Set up trip dates in GO Method.

ii. Reserve the mission center for team trainings.

iii Develop payment schedule.

iv. Develop ticket purchase date.

v. Passport deadline

vi Visa deadline (If applicable)

vii. Other

4. Work with the Missions Ministry Assistant to coordinate media needs and advertising for the trip.

5. Be the main source of communication with the team members regarding all aspects of the trip.

6. The Mission's Pastor, in collaboration with the trip leaders, will review and approve individuals who express interest in participating in the mission trip.

7.Contact team members for the first team meeting and lead all team training meetings.

8. Every trip leader is expected to refer to the Liberty Missions training manual. While not all aspects of the manual will be relevant for every trip, we strongly encourage team leaders to review the manual thoroughly, as it contains a wealth of valuable information. Of particular importance are the leader training videos, "Why We Go Where We Go," and our financial videos, which provide guidance on fundraising and church rules.

9. Work with the team members using the Go Method website to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted, including, but not limited to, the following:

i . Liberty’s release waivers

ii. Release of rights

iii. Passports

iv. Background checks

v Beneficiaries for insurance

vi. Additional documents

10. Ensure that each team member is consistently engaged in the training process.

11. Ensure that team members are actively fundraising.

12.Coordinate all transportation to the airport. Leaders can contact the Missions Ministry Assistant to reserve the church van if needed.

13.   Work with Missions Ministry Assistant to acquire the necessary Visas, if a Visa is required to enter the country

14. Coordinate all in country activities with the field representative. For example:

• Transportation to and from the airport

• Translators

• Ministry activities

• Meals

• Payments for housing and food.

• Other

15.   Lead the team while in country and help them to be a great witness.

16. Assign tasks for the team members to complete during preparation, training, and while on the trip.

17. Lead the team in country by making necessary decisions to ensure a safe trip.

18. Be responsible to turn in a requested budget for trip cash eight weeks prior to trip departure.

19. Be responsible for all monies and their distribution in accordance with the trip policies you will find in the appendix.

20.  Complete a financial reconciliation form within two weeks upon the return from the trip and return of all unused cash to the Missions Ministry Assistant.

21. Refrain from making future promises of future mission trips. Please do not commit to future trips without discussing with the missions pastor first.

22. Pray for the trip and all the trip members.

Team Leader Training Resources

It's essential for our trip team leaders to review the following videos. By doing so, we can ensure that each person leading a trip is aligned with the philosophy and strategy of Libertylive.church, as well as with the standards upheld by other trips.

1 Training Video #1 - Why we go where we go in missions

2. Training Video #2 - Responsibilities of a trip leader

3. Training Video #3 - How to go on a mission trip

4. Training Video #4 - Financial policies and raising finances for the trip

5. Training Video #5 - Important Strategy ideas to understand

*some of these videos are embedded in the manual as well

To gain a deeper understanding of our missional ideas and strategies, we strongly recommend that you watch the following videos, particularly if we're visiting areas with significant poverty. Our instinctive reaction may be to provide financial aid, but it has been demonstrated that this approach is often ineffective and may even impede the spread of the gospel. Therefore, we believe that it's essential to develop a thoughtful and strategic approach to our mission work, and these videos will help guide us in that direction

Poverty Cure- Session 1

(53) Poverty Cure | Session 1 | Michael Matheson Miller | Acton Institute - YouTube

When Helping Hurts - Session 1

*RightNow Media is free for church members- click here to sign up

When Helping Hurts: The Small Group Experience :: RightNow Media

TEAM MEETING AGENDAS

FIRST TEAM MEETING

First 30-45 minutes: During the rst half of this team meeting, We will focus on providing essential information for those who are new to mission trips with Liberty. We understand that some team members may already be familiar with the process of raising funds, and therefore, we don't intend to repeat this information unnecessarily.

The videos below will be shown in the rst meeting so that everyone can be on the same page regarding missions.

1. First, show the videos of why we go where we go.

• Click here to view the video.

2 Concepts to Understand

• Click here to view the video.

3. Watch this video going over trip nances

• click here to view the video

Passport Info

You can get your passport in many different places in the Hampton Roads area Here is a link for you to discover the closest place for you.

You can also go to your city web site to nd a passport ofce and instructions

Click here: https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/virginia-passport-acceptance-facility-list.html

Concepts to Understand

We believe that it is important to understand why we do what we do in missions. In addition, we want you to understand the strategy we use to carry out the why of what we do. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask your team leader.

1.Prayer – Prayer is an indispensable component of mission work, vital for both our personal preparation and our relationship with God. It is also a powerful tool in spreading the gospel globally. Through prayer, we can resist the works of the devil and intercede on behalf of missionaries and workers who are dedicated to this calling.

2. Unreached – Our focus with international missions is to follow what is seen throughout the Biblical narrative, which is to go to all nations (people groups) and share the gospel, especially with those that have never heard it. If you have not already watched it, please watch this video: Why we go?

3. Church planting or gospel presentation – One of our primary goals in any trip or partnership is the assistance in planting a church or sharing the gospel. Make sure not to mistake building a church with planting a church. Those are different things. Churches can be planted in homes, under trees, in a coffee shop, or other places where people gather. In some contexts, sharing the gospel is not allowed. In locations where the gospel cannot be presented openly or in a one on one situation we seek to assist our eld personnel by providing future opportunities so they can share the gospel. Remember the gospel in many places is a process and we are a part of that process. We may not be the end of that process but are involved in the long term strategy of that process.

4.LTSE or Long-Term Strategic Engagement – In our key partnerships, our goal is to be more than just financial and prayer partners. Our desire is to be an integral part of the work, laboring alongside our partners. We also desire to be committed for the long haul. Our goal is to develop long lasting relationships that bring the gospel to an entire community or people group. You must be committed to long-term investment to be effective in any ministry or mission work. This is basic discipleship. Therefore, if we want to see the fruits of our labor, we must first be willing to cultivate the ground, plant the seeds, and then give them time to grow

5. Orality – There are approximately 4 billion people around the world who cannot read. In our own area of tidewater Virginia, 28% are illiterate, with 31% being functionally illiterate. We need strategies to reach people whose primary mode of learning is not reading. By using oral tools and methods, we can be more effective in sharing the gospel.

6. Storying – Many times in sharing truth, Jesus used stories as the primary vehicle in communicating. Storying is a very applicable strategy overseas and here in America. People remember stories 24 times more than they remember facts. It is for this reason that we use stories as one way to share the gospel, especially among oral learners. Truth travels in stories. This is especially true in places where literacy rates are lower

*One of the things you will learn as you prepare to go is how to story. Our prayer is that you will use what you learn for this trip in your everyday lives when interacting with others around you

7. Missionary Care – One of the key things we should consider in our missional work is how we will care for the missionaries.  The life of a missionary is not glamorous or easy and can, in fact, be very lonely and hard. These men and women may be the only Gospel witness in the entire ethnic group. If they leave the mission field, we lose the Gospel witness in that area. Therefore:

1.  Some trips that we will go on will be to help the missionaries in the field.  There may be a variety of ways we serve them in order to carry out their tasks.

2.  Other trips may be to care for the missionaries. If we can love and minister to our missionaries, they may be able to stay on the field much longer and be an even better witness in that people group.

Strategies That Can Hurt the Work in a People Group

There are several issues that we need each team leader to understand in order to lead a trip from Liberty. These are mission principles that we seek to uphold or resist in all our mission work.

1. The needs of the witness outweighing the needs of the lost – When embarking on short-term mission trips, it's crucial to prioritize the needs of the witness over those of the lost. While team members may have certain expectations for the trip, not all of them may align with our mission. Our primary objective should always be to share the gospel, even in challenging circumstances. Ultimately, we must remain committed to following God's agenda, rather than our own, to ensure that our efforts are impactful and aligned with His will.

For example, here are a few of the things we have run into over the years which are not Christ centered motives:

a. People may come in thinking that they have the answers from an American way of life and that foreigners should listen to the Americans.

b. Some will seek to go on a trip for adventure.

c. Some say, “I love to travel”.

d. Others come wanting to share the gospel but they may have their own idea of how to do that and it is not effective in the culture they are visiting.

All of the above are things we should avoid.

Accepting and trusting the strategy of the missionary is paramount.  Most are trained, live in the culture, and have first-hand experience as to what works among their people. For example – We may go with the expectation that God is going to use us in a very specific way to tell hundreds of people about Jesus, hoping to see many people saved due to our efforts. That is a great expectation and a noble one. But many times in unreached peoples there is a slow process of people coming to Christ. They are unreached for a reason, and in one trip we cannot immediately see a whole people group come to Christ. If that does happen, praise GOD!!!!

• The role that we are asked to fill may be a small piece in a process that will see its harvest many years down the road.

• God uses us to plant seeds, encourage, share, and serve. Our trust is that God, in His timing, will bring about a great evangelistic movement in that UPG.

2. Dependency – Dependency is the idea that a believer or a group of believers becomes dependent on outside money to carry out ministry.  When an indigenous church becomes dependent upon outside funds to keep things going, problems arise. Money can be used by God to do great things, but it can also become a great hindrance to the work of spreading the gospel.  Too much money given by short term teams can have a devastating effect on mission's work. For further information, please refer to the resources above. If you are in a group, you can go to your Right Now Media account and find “WhenHelpingHurts,”for free, to gain a better perspective. As we engage in missions work, it is essential to exercise caution and avoid inadvertently fostering a culture of dependence. Such an environment can prove detrimental to God's work within a given people group, ultimately undermining our efforts to serve them. Likewise, we need to be careful about how we are evangelizing in poorer places, so we do not create an environment where local people say they become Christians because of what physical needs we can meet for them.

• Remember, no amount of money can build a church. A church is built by people’s commitment to Christ and the coming together in the community of believers as they live out the Christian life.

• If money becomes the sole focus of our mission work, there is great potential for these churches to become so financially dependent on us that they neglect gospel ministry

• The funding of churches and ministries is most effective when funded by those who are a part of that body of believers. In certain cultures, that may be a church building or place to meet that would never meet our standards. Yet in their culture it works great.

• God desires us to use our money for His glory and the expansion of His kingdom, but we must use this wealth wisely, especially in a foreign context.

• This does not mean that we refuse to spend money in an international context, but that we need to be very careful and strategic about how we spend, so that we do not become a hindrance to the growth of the church in these indigenous places.

• When indigenous people see that Americans are giving something away, their typical response is that they will do anything to get money or goods.

• We usually work with missionaries to determine the best way to spend money

Note:Pleasehelpuswiththisbynothandingoutmoneytopeople. Itissuperimportantasyou preparetogoonthistriptonotgiveanymoneyawayunlessyoufirstspeakwiththemissionaryto seewhatworksbest.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Here are some important financial facts to be aware of in raising money for your trip.

1. Everyone going on the trip should have a GoMethod account. It is in this account that you can track how much money has been paid towards the trip, as well as who gave and how much.

2. In your account profile there is a link on the right hand side of your page that you can use to send out to potential donors. This link is unique to you and when clicked it will take any donors to your site directly. Please check the link in advance to make sure the link works before sending it out.

3. IMPORTANT: All funds that are donated to support a trip or a person going on a trip can not be refunded per the IRS rules, unless the entire trip is cancelled.

4. If a trip participant is not able to go on the trip, the money will be held and can be used for another trip for up to 3 years after If the participant is unable to go on the trip or go on another trip for whatever reason, it is their responsibility to inform supporters of their inability to participate on the trip.

Money raised for one person can be given to another with written consent ( Email) from the donor and the trip participant.

5. There are several things you can do to Fund raise. First and foremost we would ask that you use any funds God has supplied through your own efforts. If you are unwilling to make sacrifice for your own trip, why should anyone else. If you cannot pay it yourself then we suggest fund raising. The list below are just a few of the things we suggest for fund raising.

• Send out social media posts about your upcoming trip ( Make it short) and providing a link.

• Host a garage sale.

• Send letters ( snail mail) to people who may be interested in supporting your trip. ( See appendix for more info on how to do this)

• Sell items you have around the house on E-Bay or Facebook Market place.

Note: We do not suggest a Go Fund Me type project. Not only do they take a percentage, but the donor may not get a tax break for their donation.

Look in the appendix for more tips on sending out letters for fund raising.

6. Please be sure that you let all donors know to NOT put any trip money or checks in the offering plate. They will think this is going to the general budget and will not be attributed to your account. Mission trip checks should be made out to :

Liberty Baptist Church.

If they mail a check or money in be sure to mail it to :

Liberty Baptist Church

Attn: Missions 1021 Big Bethel Road

Hampton, VA. 23666

In the bottom left hand corner of the check please ask them to put your name and indicate that it is for a mission trip.

If they give you a check or cash please make sure it gets to your team leader and they can deliver that to the missions ministry office for processing or you can make sure that it gets to the mission's office at the Hampton Campus.

Second Half of First Meeting: This is where those who have been on a mission trip before can enter the 1st meeting to participate in important team building conversations. They can share information and previous experiences with new participants.

Getting to Know Your Team Members

Get to know each other: It is important that as a team you get to know one another.  A team that cannot get along on a trip will not be an effective witness for the gospel.

1. What is your story (salvation story)?

2. Why are going on this trip?

Information about the trip:

1. Where are you going?

2. What are the people like?

3. Who are you working with on the field?

4. What is the culture like?

5. What are you planning on doing when you get there?

6. How does this trip fit into the overall strategy?

Prayer:

As mentioned earlier, prayer is an important part of missions.  We want you to pray as individuals and as a team. We'd like you to spend the next 10 minutes praying.

1. Pray for one another

a. Exchange contact information

b. Write prayer requests down so you will not forget.

c. Be serious about praying. Many times, people say they will pray but forget or get busy with other things.

2. Pray for the Missionaries you will be working with.

3. Pray for the lost in the people groups you will be serving among.

4. Pray that God will do great things in your life.

5. Pray that He will receive all the glory.

Team Leaders: It is important that you lead the way on setting a prayer strategy. That can be done in many different ways:

• Making sure you pray as a team when you meet.

• Setting aside days during the month you pray separately

• Asking your team to get prayer partners for their journey. These are just some suggestions. The next page contains some more helpful suggestions on how to do this.

PRAYER

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WILL DO IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR MISSION TRIP!

We would suggest you asking people who you believe will really pray to be on your prayer team. That is they will pray for you before and during the trip.

Philippians 4:6 – “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God.”

Colossians 1:9-10 – “For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.”

James 5:16(b) – “…the prayers of a righteous man is powerful and affective.”

We invite you to build a prayer support network consisting of up to three individuals who can regularly intercede for you throughout your preparation, training, and mission trip. Ideally, you should choose people with a proven track record of faithful and effective prayer. It would be advantageous to select mature Christians who take your prayer covenant seriously.

Your prayer partners could be members of your team or other individuals you know who will be going on a mission trip during the same period. Alternatively, they could be anyone you trust and feel comfortable sharing your prayer requests with. If your prayer partners are local, it would be beneficial to set aside time to pray together during the preparation phase.

Write down your prayer support partners.

First Meeting Homework

D.Ray Davis Storying pt. 1

(53) Reaching Your Community | Episode 6YouTube

D. Ray Davis Storying pt. 2

(53) Reaching Your Community | Episode 7YouTube

"Please advise everyone to watch these two videos on storying before the next meeting to enhance our understanding of the power of storytelling . " *Remind trip attendees to start Passport process and see doctor about trip medications.

MEDICAL INFORMATION

Shots & Medicine That Could Possibly Be Required:

(Please see team leader for more information on what's required for the country you're traveling to)

• Malaria- Here are some resources to look over for this:

o CDC web site - https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/malaria/index.html

o Which Malaria meds to use? – Please consult with your doctor

o CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/

• Hepatitis A, B, C. – To date we have had no trips that required a Hepatitis shot. It may be a wise thing to get as you travel. You are more than welcome to check the CDC website and decide whether or not this would be a wise option for yourself.

• Be sure to check the covid regulations for your mission trip, if there are any

SECOND TEAM MEETING

Prayer: Spend the opening minutes in prayer

1. Pray for one another.

2. Pray for the Missionaries you will be working with.

3. Pray for the lost.

4. Pray that God will do great things, and that He will receive all the glory

Logistics: Review

1.   Prayer Covenant

•  How has your prayer time been going ?

•   Have you enlisted people to pray with you?

•   Can you share who they are?

2.   Passport/Visas

•    Have you applied for your passport?

*Each member should have applied for a passport within two weeks of the first meeting.

•   Each existing passport must be valid for six months after the trip return.

•   What about visa applications (if applicable)?

o  Have we filled out the paperwork, if necessary? o  Photos?

3.     Financing/Fundraising

•   Review fundraising efforts

•   Have you posted your link to social media?

•   Have you sent out your letters or emails yet?

•   Have you tried other fundraising options?

4.     Story Training - continued on next page

Story Training

Why stories?

Several interesting facts about stories:

1. People remember stories 24 times more than they can remember facts.

2. When we listen to a story it causes our entire brain to respond. In other words, we use our entire brain in the hearing of a story.

3. When stories are told well, they hold people’s attention.

4. According to Dr. Nik Ripken, truth travels in stories. From ancient days up to today, tribes and families always pass stories along to the next generation as ways to share truth.

5. For more info, please read the “Science of Story Telling” in the appendix.

Learning to Story Effectively

1. Modular Speaking - The premise of modular speaking is that people’s attention span is usually about 2 minutes or less on average.

a. When telling a story, it is good to stay within the 2-minute framework.

2. How to best share a story and how to share your story

Principles of Biblical Storying:

1.Do not change the story

2.Chronology is very important

3.Make a big distinction when the Story ends   -Examples

- “Can I tell you a story?”

- “That’s the end of story”

4. We must be an oral bible - Most American Christians cannot find what they are looking for in the Bible.

5. If they do not understand the story, you can explain it.

6. NO scripture interruptus - Do not interrupt the story with something in the middle.

7. Story first, outline/explanation later. We have it backwards. Slack did research asking pastors to give outline from sermons. They could not remember more than 2 weeks’ worth of outlines. But people remember the stories. (Chronological Bible storying- Dr. Jim Slack)

See appendix for more valuable resources on storying, such as this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yzbpvCgVL33tDylY83LIa

Why a conversion Testimony is Effective:

• It is relevant and real experience from your own life

• It is unique to you, but makes a connection point with the listener

• It holds up a mirror to the person with whom you share

- It is only effective if it makes Christ the "hero" and leaves them thinking more about Him than you

*Remember a testimony is not the Gospel: it is an example of how to the gospel of Jesus has worked in your life. Sharing your testimony is a means to get to the message of the gospel.

A suggested outline for a personal testimony:

• My life before Christ

• How I met Christ

• How Christ changed my life and gave me meaning

*What people need to see the most is what God is doing in your life now.

Guidelines for writing your personal testimony:

• Write out your testimony, seeking the spirit's guidance

• Have someone review it and make suggestions

• Be brief. 2 minutes maximum is the best frame

• Give adequate details

• Share your conversion testimony every chance you get!

• Avoid bragging, focusing on yourself, or negative remarks

• Use language a nonbeliever can understand- avoid churchy words

• Relive your testimony as you tell it

• Tie your testimony back to scriptures - it grounds your story in the subjective experience of the historic truth of the Gospel.

• When you talk about your past life or past sin, talk in broad strokes, so that you do not glamorize it

Release of Rights

We live in a world that is full of rights.  Our particular culture is one where we take pride in our rights.  Our Lord Jesus Christ laid down His rights to the heavens and all His glory to become a man and to serve, not to be served (Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 10:45). Consider laying down your rights on this mission trip, not to lay them down for better or worse, but to entrust them to the Lord.  These rights may seem reasonable but could still cause dissension on a short-term mission trip.  Take time to search your heart and willingly surrender your rights to the Lord.

I Give Up My Right To: I Entrust to God For:

-A comfortable bed                                       -My strength and endurance

-Three meals a day                                       -My health and strength

-Familiar food                                                -My nourishment

-Dressing fashionably                                   -My security

-Seeing results                                              -My purpose and fruit in His timing

-Control of others                                          -My need to submit to authority

-Control of circumstances                            -My own need for self-control

-Pleasant circumstances                              -Joy in the middle of hard circumstances

-Taking up offense                                        -The privilege of giving forgiveness to others

-Being successful                                          -Making sure success is His definition of success

-Being right                                                   -My need for recognition

-Making decisions                                         -Humility in allowing God to work through leaders

Accepting: Accept the fact that you will not completely understand the people in just one trip. This is just the beginning; don’t become too frustrated with yourself.

Awareness: Be aware that at times you may feel your own prejudices. You may be frustrated with the way things are or the way people behave.  Don’t deny the feelings; own them. Only then can you begin to understand the reasons behind them. Why are you frustrated?  Being aware will help you grow in your understanding of the differences between you and the people around you.

Listening: Listen more than you talk. You are there to learn, not to instruct. The right to instruct is earned by demonstrating respect.

Giving: Give of yourself. Take the initiative in group settings to reach out to the nationals.  People tend to shy away from contact with nationals, especially if they’re not fluent in the language. Go ahead! Take a risk and try to speak the language! People will really appreciate the effort. And don’t worry; they’ll forgive you when you mess up.

Enjoying: Enjoy the people, their culture, and their language.  If you don’t take yourself too seriously, you can have more fun. Help create an environment where they can enjoy you, your culture, and your language just as you aim to enjoy theirs.

I give God permission to do anything He wishes to do with me, in me, or through me that would glorify Him.

(This document will need to be signed on Go Method.)

ASSIGNING TASKS

Note: Team leaders will have to determine these tasks prior to the meeting.

1. What will be the main task that we are seeking to carry out?

• Why is this important?

• How does this contribute to the gospel going forth or a church being planted?

2. What training is necessary to carry it out?

3. What tools do we need to carry out this task?

4. What to bring travel List – See appendix

THIRD TEAM MEETING

Prayer: Spend the next 10 minutes in prayer

1. Pray for one another.

2. Pray for the Missionaries you will be working with.

3. Pray for the lost.

4. Pray that God will do great things, and that He will receive all the glory.

Logistics:

1. Passport/Visas

2. Financing/Fundraising

3. Miscellaneous Training pertinent to trip.

4. Any Necessary Security Training - click here to see the security protocol.

Learning the Language

Although we cannot learn the whole language before going on the trip it is important to learn simple greetings of the people's languages that you will be engaging with. Learning just the basic will be seen as an effort to connect with the people and they will enjoy hearing you try to speak their language.

Gifting:

Team positions for the trip that can be helpful in delegating trip responsibilities.

1. Photographer – This position helps us tell the story of what happened on the trip and what God is doing around the world.

2. Administration – this position assists the team leader with logistics.  They help with keeping track of money, lodging, etc.  They give the team leader another set of hands to rely on.

3. Prayer Director – This position keeps the team focused on prayer.  They encourage and remind the team to pray.

4. Other Positions – What needs to be taken care of?

Examples:

• Children's camp director

• Food coordinator

• Social media representative

Mission Trip Protocol

As a church, we are committed to reaching unreached people groups around the world. While we prioritize the safety of our members and would never send anyone to a dangerous location, it's important for us to be mindful of our words and actions when we are abroad. Not only can our behavior impact the safety and effectiveness of our missionaries, but it can also affect our ability to share the gospel with those we are trying to reach. To that end, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash during the trip.

If you want to give money to beggars on the street, ask for approval from a missionary rst.

Always notify your team leader before leaving the group and going out alone.

Make sure you have your phone with you at all times for emergency purposes, and have the right contacts saved, such as your team leader and the missionaries.

Do not wear clothing with Christian symbols or messages. Dress appropriately for the local culture and seek advice from the missionaries if unsure what to wear.

It's best to respectfully decline when offered the opportunity to eat at someone's house to avoid the risk of getting sick.

Do not disclose the specic name of the country you are visiting. Instead, refer to the region or area, such as West Africa, East Africa, or the Middle East.

Ask donors not to reveal your location and not to share it on social media.

Do not take photos of the missionaries, pastors, or interpreters without their permission, and avoid posting them online unless it's allowed.

Discuss with the team leaders how to answer questions about the purpose of your trip and what to say when going through customs.

Remind donors not to disclose your destination or post it online.

Cultural Training

Each culture has a different view of Americans. While we never want this to bother you, it is good to be aware of how others see us.

For example, here are some possible stereotypes that others may have of us:

Strong Individuals                         Discontent                                                   Secured better lives

Lonely

Free of superstition                         Corrupt

Confident                         Wealthy and Materialistic                          Organized                         Loud and Obnoxious

Attitude of national superiority

Outgoing

Pride in one’s homeland Domination                                                  Wanting others to have freedoms we enjoy

The way we overcome these negative stereotypes is to make sure we are reflecting Christ in all that we do. Kindness, mercy, grace, a smile, and humility all go a long way toward a positive view no matter what country you happen to be going to.

Eating:

• When you are in another country, eating becomes more than just a way to receive nourishment.  It becomes a language all its own.

• Mealtime is no time for a “thanks-but-no-thanks” response.  Acceptance of what is on your plate is extremely important to the acceptance of your host, the country, and situation in which you find yourself.

• Often, what is offered constitutes your host country’s proudest culinary achievements. Try to think how you would feel if a visitor in our country refused a bit of your homemade pie or a nice steak?

• We often become squeamish not because of what we are eating, but with the unfamiliarity of what it is.  As a “hint,” you might want to cut the items into small pieces (this helps minimize the texture).  You can also swallow quickly.  As a rule, it is probably best not to ask what you are eating if you are unsure or scared of what it might be.

Take it Off or leave it On?

• What you do or do not wear can be worse than bad taste.  Shoes are among the biggest offenders.  Remember to be attentive and notice if it appears that shoes need to be removed when entering a person’s home, or even some buildings. If you are unsure if you should remove your shoes, ask your host. They will appreciate your attention to their feelings.  Each culture has various reasons for why shoes are offensive. Be alert and be sensitive.

• Always and forever let your dress be modest, even if you are a little uncomfortable.

Tight fitting clothing or too little clothing speaks loudly to the very people you are trying to win to the Lord.

• Remember your objective for the trip!  Comfort is not necessarily part of the deal.  Refer to your Release of Rights.

Conversations:

• There are many things that are sensitive to people in another country.  Speaking negatively about their religion and their beliefs will immediately become offensive to those people.  Remember to show interest in how they think and believe.

• When you are talking about your job, your church, your family, etc., leave off a lot of “I did” or “I know.”  This will be as offensive to some cultures as it is to your friends at home.

• When you win their respect and trust, you will then become an effective witness for Jesus Christ.

International Misunderstandings!

• Remember that only Americans can really understand Americans.  Be careful in using slang terms that don’t really convey the meaning you are trying to get across.

• Idioms in our language can be a huge stumbling block to our foreign friends.  Avoid using idioms in any form.  Try to put yourself in the place of someone from another country, and see what would come to mind as these phrases are used:

I need it like yesterday!                     Let’s put on the dog and pony show

Do you read me?                               It just won’t fly

Run of the mill                                   Give me a ballpark figure

Shotgun approach                             General rule of thumb

The buck stops here                          Down the tube

Flying by the seat of your pants     Don’t make waves

Raining Cats and Dogs                      As nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs

Best Behavior:

What we would consider mildly bad manners at home may be seen as cardinal sins to another culture.  Some of those habits are:

o Gum chewing (especially during conversations)

o Talking with hands in pockets

o Legs propped up on furniture

o Backslapping

(These are just some examples.)

Gift Giving to those in the culture:  IMPORTANT

Different gifts mean different things from culture to culture. Try to rely on the information given to you about your specific country.  A good rule to go by in any situation is to keep it simple.  Also, when giving the gift be sure to say to the host, “this is just a small way of saying 'thank you' for having me/us in your country/ministry.”  This simple comment can relieve the pressure for your host to give back to you.

FOURTH TEAM MEETING

Prayer: Spend the next 10 minutes in prayer

1. Pray for one another.

2. Pray for the Missionaries you will be working with.

3. Pray for the lost.

4. Pray that God will do great things, and that He will receive all the glory.

Logistics:

1. Passport/Visas

2. Financing/Fundraising

3. Miscellaneous Training

4. Culture Shock

5. Team Travel Protocol

Culture Shock

Culture Shock is the disorientation we experience when all the cultural maps and guidelines we learned as children no longer work. Stripped of our normal way of coping with life we can become confused, afraid, and angry.

Learning to Overcome Culture Shock:

• Culture shock is rarely terminal. Remember you are going to be getting back on a plane in a few days and will return to what you know and are comfortable with.

• Recognize your anxieties – it is perfectly normal to be afraid of new situations because of the uncertainties they contain.

• If you look at your experience as an exciting new adventure, it will not seem so terrifying.

• You will learn a culture best and become more comfortable when you become involved in it. So let go and take part in the culture.

• Reduce stress whenever possible

o Find those things that make you comfortable and lessen the tensions – eating American food, having a cold soda, a song, etc…

• Learn not to take yourself too seriously

o Have fun; humor is great medicine for an excessive sense of self-importance.

o Have fun and laugh at your mistakes, and let others laugh with you.

o Stay flexible with your plans; remember it’s not about you.

• Be quick to forgive, the others in your group are probably experiencing the same stress you are.

• Be willing to share your stress and burdens with those on your team.  Let them help you let go of your stress and enjoy your time in a new culture.

TEAM TRAVEL PROTOCOLS:

• The team leader is the authority for Liberty trips. Members must abide by his or her directions.  They, with the missionary or church planters, will decide what, when, and how “it” will be done.

• All team members will travel together

• All team members will “look out” for each other regarding luggage, passport checks, and security.  You will not leave anyone behind.

• When in the airports or airplanes, “look out” for each other’s carry-on and personal items.

• Be aware of where the other team members are at all times.  When you must leave the group, leave with another team member, NOT BY YOURSELF. Also make sure the team leader is aware of where you are going and when you will be back.

• NEVER, NEVER leave your passport or tickets with anyone, keep them with you at all times.

• Several times en route, you will have to show your passport with your airline tickets, so have them together.

• Liberty Live members will abide by the three-person rule regarding time with different genders. This means if a male and female wish to go somewhere together, they must have with them another male or female (married couples are the exceptions as long as they are with their spouse).

• Teams are teams and should not become cliques. Members must work together to assure unity in the work they are endeavoring to complete.

• Flexibility is the key to missions.  Plan A will probably never happen, accept that from the beginning and be flexible in the situation you are in.  Remember you are there to be useful to the work of the kingdom, and if things change, understand that God may have something better in store then what you had planned.

Missions Motto: Blessed are the flexible because they won’t get bent out of shape.

Travel Arrangements

The Missions department makes all travel arrangements; reservations will be based on what is best for the whole team.  Usually that revolves around pricing.  The team will travel together.  Please understand that we do not allow people to travel separately from the team on a mission trip.

Form

APPENDIX

Passports

Having an up-to-date passport is critical if you are planning to participate in most of the mission trips at Liberty Live Church.  If you are planning to go with us, then having a passport that is good 6 months after you return from your trip is the first order of business that you must focus upon.

Getting a passport:

• You are responsible for getting your own passport, but we want to help supply as much up to date information to help you in that process.

• In order to get a passport, you can go to some post offices or local city government.  Most cities require an appointment – we recommend the Poquoson Public Library - but check with your local government and find an office that is convenient for you.

• It takes time to get a passport, so plan on at least 2 months, unless you expedite.

• It costs around $145 in fees to get a new passport.

• If you have to expedite, it will cost almost double depending on when you need it.

• Here are links to different websites to help with passports to a company that we have used in the past that

1. For help expediting your passport- click here

2. For information on where to get passports processed - click here

What you’ll need:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship (provide one of the following):

o Previous U.S. Passport

o Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (from a city, county or state, NOT a hospital certificate)

o Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth

o Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

• Proof of Identity (provide one of the following):

o Current, valid driver’s license*

o Military ID

o Government ID

o Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

o For minors under the age of 16, each child must appear in person and both parents/legal guardians must present evidence of identity

* License must be issued by Virginia, if not please bring a secondary I.D. in addition to out of state license.

LibertyLive Passport Policy:

LibertyLive will not purchase airline tickets until we have all passports uploaded online.

General Packing List for Overseas Mission Trips:

For up to date info on your trip please check with your team leader.

*Remember: 3.5 ounces of liquid or less and it must be in a Quart sized zip lock bag! Only one per carry on.  Check with the airports, it seems to be different for some airports, but this has been standard.

CLOTHING TIPS

• Stuff that can be worn a long time and doesn't show dirt. So easy-care, drip-dry clothes that don't need much ironing are your best bet.  (Does not have to be this.)

• Pods, small packet or small bottle of clothes washing detergent. There is a washing machine.

• Travel pillow for the plane ride if you so desire.

• Thrift store is a great source for African clothes.

• Travel clothing can be expensive but they are also great! (Brands that are good but also expensive include Kuhl, Ex-Officio, Columbia. Online is the best place to research this type of clothing)

• Walking shoes. In many countries people walk a lot in the streets. Sandals are ok in most countries.

o Note: Sometimes you may run across some nasty stuff in the street. Be ready.

• LADIES – Muslim country context

o LONG SKIRTS - at least to the ankles.

o NO sleeveless shirts.

o NO tank tops – This is for all Liberty trips.

o Short sleeve is ok.

o Ladies- please stay away from really tight fitting shirts.

o Shirts must go up to neck, like a t-shirt, or at least ones that have no chance of showing cleavage.

o Stay away from pure polyester unless it is the breathing, sports kind of polyester weave.

- Light cotton works well.

- Other materials that are meant to be breathable are good also.

• Bring a hat

• Sunglasses

• Water bottle

MEDICINE

• Aspirin, Ibuprofen

• Malaria meds

• Sunscreen

• Band-Aids

• Imodium AD or another diarrhea medicine

• Z - packs respiratory infections

• Cipro for travel Diarrhea

• Any prescription meds you need

• Pepto-Bismol Tablets

• Antacid

• Lip balm/Chapstick/Vaseline are sometime good things

MATERIALS

• Bible

• Smartphone or iPod or tablet is fine.  – Be sure and get the correct plug for your country

• Tag your luggage so that you will know it's yours for sure. LUGGAGE – NO huge luggage. You must be able to carry what you pack

• One carry on – Pack enough for a few days and in case we lose luggage. That way we can survive the trip with our carry on.

• Carry on should not be too big.

• 1 checked bag. 22kg’s or 50 pounds. NOT A HUGE ONE!

MONEY

• Bring new bills with you if possible.

• The only thing you will need money for is souvenirs. Some may wish to purchase smaller items for donors.

• Whatever you buy must fit in your bags and within the 50 LB limit.

PERSONAL - Think travel, not staying for a long time!

• Personal things: soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes, razor and shaving cream, toothpaste, hand lotion, feminine items, laundry soap, makeup, cologne, etc.

• Toilet paper is provided.

• Towels are provided.

• Sheets and pillows are provided.

• Small flashlight and batteries

• If you wear contacts, take enough cleaner, saline solution, etc. for the entirety of your stay. PLUS, an extra pair and/or a pair of glasses.

*If you wear glasses, take an extra pair. (It won't be any fun if your one pair breaks and you can't get a replacement quickly!)

• Kleenex - Pocket-size are easy to pack. Or take it out of the box and put in a ziplock bag. You might find it handy in public restrooms, too.

• Wet wipes

• Anti-Bacterial hand cleaner (you do not need a huge container, travel size)

• Safety pins (just a few for emergency)

• Pictures of family and friends (Please reflect upon the culture you will be in. Don't take photos that would be culturally offensive. e.g. you and your "honey" hugging or people in swim suits would not go over well in a Muslim context). Also, please no pictures of big houses or really nice cars. Family and friends is best.

• Money (Check with your supervisor/team leader about how much money to bring.)

• Fanny pack for walking around

• Electric Outlet Transformer: U.S. appliances are designed for 120-volt electrical supply. Voltage varies country to country, but most other countries use 240-volt appliances. Please check the internet for specific country information.

FOOD

• You may want to take a few snacks like power bars, or nuts. Would not recommend candy or high sugar. Granola bars (stay away from bars that melt, dried fruit/nuts are good.)  DO NOT bring too much as it greatly increases weight.

>The Science of Storytelling: Why Telling a Story is the Most Powerful Way to Activate Our Brains

By Leo Widrich

Agoodstorycanmakeorbreakapresentation,article,orconversation.Butwhyisthat?

WhenBufferco-founderLeoWidrichstartedtomarkethisproductthroughstoriesinstead ofbenefitsandbulletpoints,sign-upswentthroughtheroof.Herehesharesthescienceof whystorytellingissouniquelypowerful.

In 1748, the British politician and aristocrat John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, spent a lot of his free time playing cards. He greatly enjoyed eating a snack while still keeping one hand free for the cards. So he came up with the idea to eat beef between slices of toast, which would allow him to finally eat and play cards at the same time. Eating his newly invented "sandwich," the name for two slices of bread with meat in between, became one of the most popular meal inventions in the western world.

What's interesting about this is that you are very likely to never forget the story of who invented the sandwich ever again. Or at least, much less likely to do so, if it would have been presented to us in bullet points or other purely information-based form.

For 1000’s of years, since the first cave paintings were discovered, telling stories has been one of our most fundamental communication methods. Recently a good friend of mine gave me an introduction to the power of storytelling, and I wanted to learn more.

Here is the science around storytelling and how we can use it to make better decisions every day:

Our brain on stories: How our brains become more active when we tell stories

We all enjoy a good story, whether it's a novel, a movie, or simply something one of our friends is explaining to us. But why do we feel so much more engaged when we hear a narrative about events?

It's in fact quite simple. If we listen to a PowerPoint presentation with boring bullet points, one certain part in the brain gets activated.  Overall, it hits our language processing parts in the brain, where we decode words into meaning. And that's it, nothing else happens.

BUT …When we are being told a story, things change dramatically. Not only are the language processing parts in our brain activated, but any other area in our brain that we would use when experiencing the events of the story are too.

If someone tells us about how delicious certain foods were, our sensory cortex lights up.

For example : In studies the brains of participants were scanned as they read sentences like "John grasped the object" and "Pablo kicked the ball." The scans revealed activity in the motor cortex, which coordinates the body's movements."

A story can put your whole brain to work. And yet, it gets better: When we tell stories to others that have really helped us shape our thinking and way of life, we can have the same effect on them too. The brains of the person telling a story and listening to it can synchronize, says Uri Hasson from Princeton:

"When the woman spoke English, the volunteers understood her story, and their brains synchronized. When she had activity in her insula, an emotional brain region, the listeners did too. When her frontal cortex lit up, so did theirs. By simply telling a story, the woman could plant ideas, thoughts and emotions into the listeners' brains."

Anything you've experienced, you can get others to experience the same. Or at least, get their brain areas that you've activated that way, active too:

God has wired our brains for storytelling—how to make use of it.

Now all this is interesting. We know that we can activate our brains better if we listen to stories. The still unanswered question is: Why is that? Why does the format of a story, where events unfold one after the other, have such a profound impact on our learning?

The simple answer is this: We are wired that way. A story, if broken down into the simplest form, is a connection of cause and effect. And that is exactly how we think.

We think in narratives ( Stories ) all day long, no matter if it is about buying groceries, whether we think about work or our spouse at home. We make up (short) stories in our heads for every action and conversation. In fact, Jeremy Hsu found [that] "personalstories andgossipmakeup65%ofourconversations."

Now, whenever we hear a story, we want to relate it to one of our existing experiences That's why metaphors work so well with us. While we are busy searching for a similar experience in our brains, we activate a part called insula, which helps us relate to that same experience of pain, joy, or disgust.

The following graphic probably describes it best:

Let's dig into some hands on tips to make use of it:

Exchange giving suggestions for telling stories

Do you know the feeling when a good friend tells you a story and then two weeks later, you mention the same story to him, as if it was your idea? This is totally normal and at the same time, one of the most powerful ways to get people on board with your ideas and thoughts. According to Uri Hasson from Princeton, a story is the only way to activate parts in the brain so that a listener turns the story into their own idea and experience.

The next time you struggle with getting people on board with your projects and ideas, simply tell them a story, where the outcome is that doing what you had in mind is the best thing to do. According to Princeton researcher Hasson, storytelling is the only way to plant ideas into other people's minds.

The simple story is more successful than the complicated one

When we think of stories, it is often easy to convince ourselves that they have to be complex and detailed to be interesting. The truth is however, that the simpler a story, the more likely it will stick. Using simple language as well as low complexity is the best way to activate the brain regions that make us truly relate to the happenings of a story

Quick last fact: Our brain learns to ignore certain overused words and phrases that used to make stories awesome. Scientists, in the midst of researching the topic of storytelling have also discovered, that certain words and phrases have lost all storytelling power:

"Some scientists have contended that figures of speech like "a rough day" are so familiar that they are treated simply as words and no more."

This means, that the frontal cortex—the area of your brain responsible to experience emotions—can't be activated with these phrases. It's something that might be worth remembering when crafting your next story.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Mission Work

Basis for Biblical Missions- Biblical Basis of Missions / God's Heart for the NationsYouTube

State of the world- State of the World / The Task Remaining - YouTube

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry- CARM.ORG, The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry People Groups People groups.org- People Groups Official Web Site

Joshua Project- Joshua Project: People Groups of the World | Joshua Project

What is a UPG?- What is a UPG? - YouTube

Poverty

When Helping Hurts- When Helping Hurts: The Small Group Experience :: RightNow Media

Poverty Cure Series:

Poverty Cure | Session 1 | Michael Matheson Miller |Acton Institute

Poverty Cure | Session 2 | Michael Matheson Miller

Poverty Cure | Session 3 | Michael Matheson Miller |Acton Institute

Poverty Cure | Session 4 | Michael Matheson Miller |Acton Institute

Poverty Cure | Session 5 | Michael Matheson Miller |Acton Institute

Poverty Cure | Session 6 | Michael Matheson Miller |Acton Institute

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Other Helpful Videos

International Orality Network

International Orality Network | Library

Era of Orphanages Ted Talk

https://www.ted.com/talks/tara_winkler_why_we_need_to_end_the_era_of_orphanages

That Reminds Me of a Story

https://open.spotify.com/show/4yzbpvCgVL33tDylY83LIa

Helpful Recommended Books

When Helping Hurts by Steven Corbett and Brian Fikkert

Toxic Charity by Robert D. Lupton

Funny Mission Trip Video

*things we strive to avoid for mission trips

(1) When helping can hurt - YouTube

(1) Mission Trip Construction Proposal - YouTube

* If you have trouble clicking on any links right click and open video in a new tab