What is the age-requirement to participate on a short-term mission trip?
Adult trips are for 18 years and older. Mission trips that are designated for students are open to High School - College age. Adult volunteers can attend a student trip.
How will I know you received my application?
You should receive an email within minutes of applying, confirming that The Bayou Church as received your application. If you do not receive this email, contact us at [email protected].
By applying, am I officially committing to the trip? When am I officially committed?
No, you are not committing by submitting your application. Your space on the team is not reserved until you have made the $100 non-refundable deposit and received an acceptance email from our missions staff.
What are the requirements to be part of a mission team?
- Regularly attend The Bayou Church on Sundays
- Complete all four First Steps classes before mission departure
What does the trip cost include?
The trip cost is all-inclusive and covers the flight, all meals, ministry supplies, transportation on the ground, and lodging. It does not include passport fees, vaccinations, or souvenirs.
Where do I get the money to go on a trip?
Each team member has the opportunity to personally contribute and raise his or her own financial support in order to go on a short-term mission trip. We have found that many people don’t have the time or ability to go on a short-term mission trip but have the desire to be involved in some way. We ask, therefore, that every person going on a trip raise his/her funds by sending letters to friends and family sharing the goal of the trip and the financial requirements to make the trip happen. We provide each team member with a Bayou Church branded support letter to mail.
How do I donate to someone’s trip?
Visit our Give page, and select “Mission Trips” from the giving type drop down menu. Enter your contact info, then click the “Next” button. Fill in your credit card and billing contact information. Agree to the terms of service and click “Make Donation.” A confirmation email will be sent to you, and will receive an official statement of giving at the end of the year to be used for tax purposes.
What if I don’t have a passport?
Apply now for a passport if you don’t have one. If your passport expires within six months after your departure date, you will need to renew your passport as soon as possible.
What happens to my application when the trip is full?
If the trip is full, your application goes on a waiting list. If a space opens up on the team, you will receive an email to let you know. If a leader of another trip is still looking for people for his or her team, then he or she may contact you to see if you are interested.
Can I travel to another destination or stay longer at my destination?
No, it is imperative for team unity and liability reasons that all trip participants travel together.
Is safety an issue?
We have taken every precaution possible to mitigate unnecessary risks involved with our short term trips. We continually monitor the personal, social, political, and environmental factors that might heighten the security issues of our teams and consider the security of our teams very important.