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 Each summer, Kentucky Baptist collegians scatter around the globe serving as missionaries in places as far away as Taiwan and as close as Cedarmore.
Through partnerships with NAMB, IMB and other Baptist entities, the Collegiate/Young Adult Ministry Department helps link student missionaries with short term missions projects. Ministry opportunities typically include working with children or youth, evangelism, leading vacation Bible school or backyard Bible clubs and more.
Summer missionaries have the opportunity to explore a calling to full-time mission service.
For the summer of 2009, we will focus on one project -- the 1:8 Leadership Experience.
| Becoming a Summer Missionary |
Who are we looking for to serve as a B.C.M. Student Summer Missionary?
1. Someone who is active in a local church or local Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) (formerly Baptist Student Union), Campus Activities and a local church. While many assignments require students to be Baptist, team assignments are generally open to non-Baptists. If you are not Baptist, you need to understand Baptist beliefs and be willing to work in the context of those beliefs.
2. Someone who is a maturing Christian who exhibits these qualities:
- Comfortable in different environments
- Able to be flexible, non-judgmental, open and accepting
- Grounded in biblical faith
- Comfortable sharing your faith
- Have an understanding of servanthood
- Willing to live and work in mission settings not designed for the missionary’s convenience
- Good physical and emotional health with no health problems that would impair service
- Be adaptable and use common sense
- Has a 2.0 GPA at the time of service (Failure to do so will disqualify you from being able to serve.). Note: If you do not have a 2.0 GPA at the time of application, you will not be appointed to a position where your inability to serve will cost the student missions fund any money or where team function will be hindered.
- For North American positions: Has taken classes at least one semester of the current academic year and has completed the freshmen year (approximately 30 hours).
- For International Positions: Has taken classes at least one semester of the current academic year and has completed the sophomore year (approximately 60 hours). This has been a general requirement; however, in recent years, we have interviewed and placed mature freshmen on International/Cross-cultural teams.
If you have questions concerning these qualifications, please see your campus minister or contact the Kentucky Baptist Collegiate Ministry Department. These qualifications are in place to insure that everyone involved in the missions experience has the best experience possible.
Guidelines for Student Missionaries
Student Missionaries are expected to meet the following guidelines:
- Students will attend all orientations.
- No exclusive relationship (dating or otherwise) is permitted while on the field of service.
- Students will refrain from alcoholic beverages during the time of service.
- Students will mail/email written reports to the KY Baptist Collegiate Ministry Dept.
- Students are discouraged from receiving guests from home or school while on the field.
- Students will remain on the field of service the entire assignment without interruption.
- Students will take a personal vehicle only at the request of their local supervisor.
- Students will return home at the end of their term of service as a Kentucky BCM Student Missionary.
- Students will return at least 10 pictures to the Kentucky Baptist Collegiate Ministry Department at the conclusion of their summer (please email pictures or send on a CD to Collegiate Ministry, P. O. Box 43433, Louisville, KY 40253-0433, no later than August 5, 2008). These pictures will be used to tell the story of Collegiate Summer Missions.
In addition to these guidelines, each student will be responsible for fulfilling his/her job responsibilities as assigned by the local missions supervisor. Students are encouraged to enter into missions with a giving heart, ready to be flexible and do whatever is necessary to spread God’s message to the local community.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
What is Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) Student Missions?
BCM Student Missions is a volunteer missions program that offers college students an opportunity to work along side a career missionary for a 2-10 week period. This program is sponsored by the Kentucky Baptist Collegiate Ministry Department in cooperation with the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board.
Who pays the expenses for the summer missionaries?
BCM Student Missions is a student-sponsored program. The money received in our state collegiate summer missions fund comes largely from students in 29 BCMs in Kentucky. The Kentucky Baptist Convention and other sources comprise the remaining sum of our budget. These funds pay the travel costs and expense allowance for all student missionaries serving in the United States. Students serving in international missions assignments must raise most of their own expenses; however, their training costs and team leader expenses will be provided.
What are the financial arrangements?
Each student will be asked to raise the cost of his/her individual trip. KBC BCM will pay for expenses related to team training and for the cost of the team leader. Upon team selection, students will be given an estimated cost so he/she can begin raising money. Students will receive a stipend of $1500, which they may apply to the cost of their trip.
Who will handle my travel arrangements?
The Kentucky Baptist Collegiate Ministry Department will handle all travel arrangements through a travel agent. Travel to and from the field will mostly be by commercial airlines (except for those serving in Kentucky).
Is Medical/Health insurance provided?
Students will receive a nominal health insurance policy through the North American Mission Board. (The student’s insurance, where available, will be the primary coverage.)
Where will I stay?
The 1:8 leadership team will be living at Southern Seminary, except for the two weeks when they will be in the Dominican Republic. Lodging and meals will be provided during your term of service.
What kind of orientation is given to Student Summer Missionaries?
Orientations for all Kentucky BCM Student Summer Missionaries will be held during the spring semester. Orientations dates are as follows:
- Feb. 6-7, 2009, KY Baptist Convention, Louisville
- April 3-5, 2009, Leadership Training Conference, Cedarmore, Baghdad, KY
- Other training dates as determined by the team leader
In addition, students will receive orientation on the field.
Are visits by family members or friends permitted while I am on the field?
Visits to the field of service by parents, family, or friends are discouraged on a regular basis. Two months is a short period of time that visits to the field would be a distraction to the work of the Student Missionary. Any planned visit to the field must be cleared with the local field supervisor of the Student Summer Missionary.
When will I be notified about my appointment?
The 1:8 team will be named prior to Thanksgiving. Students will be asked to accept or deny their position at this time and will be asked to notify the Collegiate/Young Adult Ministries office within one week of their notification.
More Questions?
Contact Lizzi-beth Spence at 502-589-3573 or 866-589-3573 (toll free in KY) or Lizzi.Spence@kybaptist.org. |
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