| Frequently Asked
Questions for Student Venture International Mission
Projects |
|
Student Venture is a national high school organization that helps students apply their faith to every-day life. We help them learn how to build positive relationships with family and friends. We also provide Student Venture Meetings, small group Bible Studies and conferences to help them grow in their faith and help their friends. It is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, International.
BACK TO TOP
Student Venture International Mission Projects offer unique opportunities for you to interact with other teens internationally, share with them how to know God personally through faith in Jesus Christ, and teach their new international friends how to be positive influences for Christ in their own families, schools and communities.
BACK TO
TOP |
 |
The primary reason for participating in a Student Venture International Project is that you are responding to God calling you to be sent to the world. Many young people around the world admire American teenagers. Because of this, American high school students have a special platform and are listened to by teens worldwide. You can turn this platform into an opportunity to have an eternal influence by sharing the truth of Christ and providing discipleship training for young nationals who can then have a positive, eternal influence in their own countries. You will also learn many principles of ministry to take back to your school life. This could set you on a path of life-long ministry.
BACK TO TOP
These questions will help you determine if you are ready to apply for a project:
-
 Am I at least a sophomore in high school?
- Is my relationship with Christ growing consistently?
- Am I actively communicating my faith with others?
- Do I have a teachable attitude?
- Am I willing to make the time required to prepare for the project?
- Do I allow Christ to live His life in me through the power of the Holy Spirit?
- Is God calling me to go on a project?
BACK TO TOP
As a project participant you join a team of other students and adult leaders who serve Campus Crusade for Christ high school movements in host countries. You have opportunities to speak to groups of students about their personal faith in Jesus Christ. As well as, host activities where you can intentionally build relationships with young nationals with the hope of personally sharing the gospel. You will have the opportunity to trust God in many new ways.
Projects may include:
- Classroom or school assembly speaking
- Teaching conversational English camps
- Outreaches to small and large groups
- Sports Outreaches
- Follow-up Bible studies with new Christians
- Developing friendships through group activities
- Training nationals how to communicate their faith
- Concerts
BACK TO TOP
 An average day will involve meeting new friends and sharing your faith. Evangelism is the mainstay of your project and most activities revolve around it. During the course of the project you will also have team meetings, team prayer, team socials, outreaches and socials for the students you meet. A typical day might look like this:
- 8 - Breakfast and Quiet Times/Worship
- 9-12 - Visiting Schools or Teaching English Clubs
- 12-1 - Lunch with Team
- 1-2 - Free Time
- 2-5 - Relational Time with students
- 7 - Dinner with team or with students
- 8 - SV Meeting or other Outreach
- 10 - Team Debrief
- 11 - Lights out
Many project participants say that there is no typical day. Your days will vary according to your location and if you are part of an existing movement or helping to develop one. We will also make time during the project to take in local culture, sightseeing, shopping, etc.
BACK TO TOP
You will spend a lot of your time meeting new people, sharing your faith and possibly doing basic follow-up with students. In most cases, ministry is very relational and intentional. You are making friends and talking about Jesus. You are building relationships and bringing people to a point of decision to follow Christ. After students trust Christ, you will help them get connected to a church or ministry so the local youth workers can continue to help them develop their relationship with God.
BACK TO TOP
| You go with a team. Many times this team will consist of students from particular schools who have planned on an international experience together (in other words, recruit friends to go with you). Most teams also have students who come individually from all over the country. A typical team will be somewhere between 12-15 people with a Student Venture Staff team leader (man), an Associate team leader (woman), and a Project Administrator. Together they will give leadership and direction to the whole team. |
 |
BACK TO TOP
You will be housed in a college dorm, regular hotel or youth hostel. Typically, public transportation is used to travel to schools, communities and outreach events in the project country. Vehicles may be rented by staff for some in-country travel. Security in housing and safety in travel are our primary considerations as we choose our locations in a country.
BACK TO TOP
Your main focus is the mission God has called you to and your down time will be limited. Having said that, reliable email services will be accessible in most locations. You may also purchase phone cards that enable you to communicate at substantially lower costs than normal national rates. We will communicate to others back home that we have safely arrived in country, as soon as possible. There will be opportunities to call home, but because of time differences and tiredness it may not be as often as parents would like.
BACK TO TOP
 Download the application form, complete and mail it to our office along with a $25 non-refundable application fee. The application process involves completing information regarding:
- Personal Data
- Christian Experience
- Ministry Experience
- Moral Convictions
- Three Completed Reference Questionnaires from:
- SV/CCC Staff or Youth Pastor or Spiritual Mentor
- Teacher or Coach or Employer
- Parent / Guardian
BACK TO TOP
Download
the adult application or download
the college application, complete and mail it to our
office along with a $50 non-refundable application fee.
This fee includes the background check we are required
to receive on anyone over 18. The application process involves
completing the same information as the student application
and three questionnaires:
- SV/CCC staff or Pastor or Spiritual Mentor
- Peer or Roommate or Spouse
- Employer
BACK TO TOP
 After completing and returning the application (with all three references completed and returned) you should hear back from us within 3 weeks. In most cases you will be notified by email or letter.
BACK TO TOP
After we review your application and accept you for a project we will send you a “Go Pac”. This will include an acceptance letter, Project Guidebooks and a Ministry Partner Development Packet. This packet will enable you to actively pursue raising your funds and spiritually prepare yourself for the project.
BACK TO TOP
Before departing, you must read materials provided to you which will help prepare you physically, mentally, and practically for your international experience. You read and memorize Scripture and prepare spiritually for the project. If you live in a city where there is a Student Venture team, often there are meetings provided to help the group prepare. If you do not live in a Student Venture city, then most of the preparation depends on you to thoroughly utilize the training pack provided upon acceptance. You will also, depending on the project, have a briefing with your team.
BACK TO TOP
 The Go Pac includes a series of guidebooks designed to help equip you to be an effective ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). The Project Guidebooks cover topics more in-depth on:
- Project Basics (broad perspective)
- Project Specifics (per your project location)
- Raising Funds
- Travel Information
- Spiritual Preparation
- Cross-Cultural Training
- Team Unity
- Prayer
- Lifestyle Talk Preparation
- Testimony Preparation
- Gospel Presentations
- Classroom Talks
BACK TO TOP
The cost of a typical Spring Project (usually 2 weeks) is $2500-$3000. The cost of a typical Summer Project (usually 3-4 weeks) is $3500-$4500. The project cost may be slightly higher depending on the project location and ease of travel.
There are some miscellaneous expenses you need to consider that are not included in the project cost. (See FAQ #19 “What is covered in the amount I raise?)
BACK TO TOP
 Most of your support will come from individuals you ask to be part of your support team. We call them ministry partners. Your Go Pac will have detailed information on Ministry Partner Development. It covers things like: God's promises, name storming, sample letters, sample thank you notes and frequent questions regarding raising funds. The Go Pac will be a great resource to help you gather a team of ministry partners. Be encouraged, every Project participant and Staff member is responsible for raising their support and God has done it over and over again. He continues to prove Himself faithful as He provides for those He calls according to His purpose. You will also ask people to be Prayer Partners with you and your team.
BACK TO TOP
Investing finances in a student participating in an International Mission Project can be one of the wisest investments people can make – it will provide great returns spiritually and for all eternity. Not only will the student participating be forever changed, but also hundreds of lives can be affected as the gospel is shared. Ministry partners can truly make an eternal difference by helping to send those able to go and personally share Christ all over the world.
BACK TO TOP
Your Project Cost covers:
- Project Briefing
- International round-trip airfare (from briefing location to mission destination)
- Project DebriefingVisa Processing Fee (if needed)
- All cost for lodging and food
- All transportation in-country
- Project Materials
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance
- Administrative costs
Your Project Cost DOES NOT cover:
- Domestic airfare to briefing location (reimbursable if enough money raised)
- Passport Fees (to obtain a passport if you don’t already have one)
- Ministry Partner Development materials and postage Money for laundry, souvenirs or additional food on the project
- Medical Insurance
- Any cost associated with an early return as a result of serious violation of rules or any family emergency
BACK TO TOP
 Most locations have adequate, if not good medical facilities. If it is an emergency or a serious issue, you will leave the country to get adequate treatment in the best place possible. If it is an extreme emergency you will be air lifted out by our emergency evacuation service (a company called SOS). If you currently have medical insurance you need to be sure your insurance covers you globally, or purchase insurance that will cover you worldwide.
BACK TO TOP
If there should be political unrest in the country of choice, the project may be reassigned to another destination. Great care is taken to evaluate potential risks, and to provide the greatest protection possible for you and your team members. If you choose to withdraw from the team, funds donated for the original project destination can be directed to another student participating in a Project, or the ministry partner may ask Campus Crusade for Christ to return the donated funds. Or, you may choose to go on another project in the same year.
We carefully evaluate each location’s safety using several factors and informational sources:
- U.S. State Department
- U. S. Health Department
- Advice of our national leaders of the country.
In the case of medical emergencies we have contracted with an emergency evacuation company (SOS) to be able to airlift anyone out of any location.
BACK TO TOP
| The 2006 International Mission Projects resulted in nearly 13,000 people in 5 nations being exposed to the gospel, with over 5300 individuals indicating decisions for Christ. In some cases, Student Venture International Mission Projects have helped to start high school win-build-send movements in countries where none previously existed. In other countries we provided the manpower and energy to expand existing high school movements. |
 |
BACK TO TOP
Past participants have experienced tremendous spiritual and personal growth through their involvement in an International Mission Project. Many have taken great steps of faith and seen lasting changes in their relationships and in their life choices. Many gain a deeper concern for other people, develop team-building skills, learn greater flexibility, and gain self-confidence. These personal benefits occur as God works through the team to bring the gospel to many who have never heard. The lives of those in other countries will be changed forever and many lasting friendships between students in the different cultures are formed. Lastly, many receive a greater vision for ministry at home or a lifelong call to serve globally.
BACK TO TOP
Call
the Student Venture International Mission Projects office
directly at 407-826-2323 or e-mail
us at globalventure@studentventure.com.
BACK TO TOP
Subject to change. (Updated 12.12.07)
|
.
