Upcoming Missions Trips

Costa Rica

September 19-24, 2024

* Requires US Passport *

Cost Includes
Airfare
Ground/Airport Transportation
All Meals
Lodging
Trip Insurance
Ministry Supplies & Service Project Materials
Sight-Seeing and Debriefing Day

Cost Does Not Include
Passport cost
Visa (for non-US Citizens)
Snacks/Souvenirs/Spending Money

India

October 3-11, 2024

* Requires US Passport *

Cost Includes
Airfare
Ground/Airport Transportation
All Meals
Lodging
Trip Insurance
Ministry Supplies & Service Project Materials
Sight-Seeing and Debriefing Day

Cost Does Not Include
Passport cost
Visa (for non-US Citizens)
Snacks/Souvenirs/Spending Money

FAQs

I WANT TO GO ON A SHORT-TERM TRIP. WHAT DOES THAT PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
Step 1:
Each person must complete an application and submit it to the Global Outreach Team by the designated application deadline. Barring significant extenuating circumstances, applications received after the deadline will not be considered for the trip in question.

Step 2:
Applications will be reviewed by members of the Team Leader, the Global Outreach Team, and staff. References may be checked. All applicants will be considered, but will not necessarily be selected. Please keep in mind that we often receive more applications than we have availability. Sometimes we simply don’t have enough room to take all applicants.

Step 3:
Applicants will be notified in via email about their application. If selected, they will receive instructions to prepare for the first training session. If not, they will be informed why they were not selected and, when possible, informed of other opportunities in which they can consider participating.

HOW ARE TEAMS SELECTED?
Consistency of Character
If any questions arise about an applicant’s character, attitude, spiritual maturity, emotional health, etc., they will not be considered for a team. MHCC will not jeopardize a field site with an unqualified applicant.

Church Participation
The candidate must be actively involved at MHCC. Preference will be given first to MHCC covenant members. Applicants from outside MHCC may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the team activities and team composition.

Area of Ministry
The applicant must be a match for the area and type of ministry in which the team will engage. This includes, but is not limited to, their physical abilities, medical background, and current health in relation to the ministry location and activities.

Other Considerations
The field site’s requested team size and team composition will also factor into team selection. An applicant’s schedule availability for training must also factor in to their selection for a team. If an applicant is unable to participate in the pre-field training sessions, they should instead consider other opportunities. Other factors may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

AM I EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL OF THE TRAINING SESSIONS?
Yes, if you are selected for the trip you applied for, you are expected to attend all of the pre-field training sessions and a follow-up team meeting after the trip. The training schedule will be set in advance by the Team Leader in consultation with the Global Outreach & Missions Pastor.

When you are considering a trip, you should consult the dates for each training session to determine whether or not to apply. Barring significant extenuating circumstances, if a team member is not being faithful to the training process, they may be asked not to go on the trip.

AM I EXPECTED TO RAISE THE FUNDS FOR MY TRIP COST?
Yes, if you are selected to serve on a short-term team, you are expected to raise the full amount of the trip cost. During your first pre-field training session, your team leader will coach you through the process and provide you with the necessary tools and information. Because MHCC has a process and tools to assist teams in support raising, we ask that applicants do not begin raising support until after they have been selected and attend their first pre-field training session.

MHCC is primarily looking for people to be faithful in the support-raising process. In the event other team members raise funds beyond their trip cost, the surplus will roll over to the team’s overall fundraising goal. Additionally, as long as funds are available in the Global Outreach Fund, MHCC is committed to supporting its covenant members up to a certain percentage of their trip cost, if needed and requested by the team member. This amount is determined by the MHCC staff and is subject to change.

WHAT IF I WANT TO PAY FOR THE TRIP MYSELF?
If a team member chooses to personally fund their trip, that’s OK too, but we do encourage you to jump in with your team and try raising the trip funds and elicit prayer support for your team! This might include sending a support letter on behalf of the team, participating in fundraising events, or other avenues suggested by the Global Outreach Team and/or their Team Leader. You will need to have the cost of your airfare in full at the time we purchase flights to be able to go on the trip.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I STARTED RAISING FUNDS BUT AM UNABLE TO TRAVEL? WHAT HAPPENS IF I RAISE MORE THAN IS NEEDED?
All funds raised for a particular trip are designated for and to be utilized by that team and its related projects. Funds are not tied to individuals and therefore should not be carried over to other trips or events for an individual unless special approval is given by MHCC’s staff. In the event a participant has to withdraw from a team, they should contact the Global Outreach Pastor about any funds raised. In most circumstances, the funds will need to remain with the team for which they were designated.

In the event a team member raises above and beyond their trip costs, additional funds will be utilized for the other members of the team and its ministry.

In the event a team exceeds its funding goal, the funds will be released to the Global Outreach Ministry’s general budget. Any funds that exceed the total trip budget can be used for additional ministry projects or field-site support upon approval of the Global Outreach Ministry.

WHAT IS THE AGE REQUIREMENT TO PARTICIPATE ON A MHCC MISSION TRIP?
Each trip varies on age requirements. Adult trip means 18 or older. Anyone under the age of 17 must have a parent or guardian sign a consent form to participate on a trip. Kids are allowed on family trips but the age of each allowed on each trip varies. Please check the description for each trip.

WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED TO GET?
This will be discussed during the first pre-field training session. Generally, MHCC will only require vaccinations that are required for entry. You are also encouraged to visit the CDC website for the country you are traveling to and consult your medical doctor to determine what vaccinations you will need.

IS A PASSPORT REQUIRED?
Yes. Traveling outside the United States requires an up-to-date passport. Your passport expiration date needs to be valid six months past the date the trip returns. Passports cost approximately $175. The passport MUST be in a booklet form only! Please do NOT purchase a passport card. Click here to apply for a U.S. Passport. Due to varying processing times, you should apply for a passport as soon as you decide to apply to be on a short-term team.

DOES MHCC PROVIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL OR TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. Included in the cost of every trip is a supplemental emergency medical and travel policy for each team member. Details of coverage can be provided upon request. However, participants are required to carry primary personal health insurance as their primary coverage. Uninsured team members will need to purchase a short-term policy for the duration of the trip at their own expense.

IS THERE ANY OTHER PAPERWORK I NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
Yes. When submitting a trip application, each applicant will need to consent to MHCC requesting a confidential background check on them. All applicants are required to underground a background check for any MHCC trip. This helps the church provide a safe and secure environment for all who minister as well as those being ministered to on mission trips.

Additionally, if you are selected to serve on a team you will be required to complete a Liability Waiver and Participation Agreement just as you would for any other event at MHCC.

If the applicant is a minor and is selected to serve on a team, their parent or guardian will need to sign and have notarized a Parent Permission and Affidavit Waiver for their child.