Our short-term and extended short-term volunteers serve alongside many of our global servants and in-country partners in areas where we have been invited to serve. The Short-Term Mission team prepares volunteers before they depart the US for their cross cultural experiences. The goal is to help volunteers understand that they are traveling abroad as God’s ambassadors, being God’s light of truth, mercy, hope and love around the world. The 7-Standards of Excellence (a code of best practice for Short-Term Mission sending agencies) are standards the Short-Term Mission team at International Ministries abides by, as an Accredited Member of the Standards of Excellence (SOE) in good standing since 2009.
Below are resources and forms all volunteers need to complete in order to register with the Short-Term Mission Office. Please don’t hesitate to call the STM office at 610-768-2168 or email volunteers@internationalministries.org to receive guidance regarding which forms to complete. There are different forms for Individuals, Teams, and Minors traveling as part of a team.
Please note that the medical evacuation and repatriation insurance STM is able to offer to registered volunteers, only covers children as of age 9. Children under the age of 9 who are traveling with parents are not covered. Also, please know that trips to Afghanistan, Russia-North Caucasus, Iran, Iraq, Israel (West Bank and Gaza), Libya, Pakistan, Somalia are not covered by our current insurance. Another insurance can be suggested for you to purchase, at minimal cost.
All adult volunteers(18 years and older) must complete a background check application, Which can be done here. Click on “proceed” to get the background application started. Please have a credit card handy, since a small fee ($15-25) will be needed to complete the process. This secure online application will time out at 40 minutes. If your church has processed a background check on your behalf within the last two years, we will accept those results.
INSURANCE and RESOURCES
Short Term Missionary Recommended Reading
Health, Safety, and Security Overseas
FORMS FOR VOLUNTEERS
If you would like to serve cross-culturally but don’t know where or how God is calling you, please click this link to complete our initial questionnaire. We will be in contact to help you begin your discernment process.
All volunteers will need to complete the following forms to register with the Short-Term Mission Office to receive guidance in trip assignment, pre-trip orientation sessions, accompaniment along the way, post-trip de-briefings, cross-cultural guidance, IM team leadership (if requested), and more.
The Legal Waiver form is to be completed once travel dates have been confirmed with hosts. Please make sure that all highlighted items are completed accurately. If un sure, please contact STM 610-768-2168, to receive guidance.
Volunteer Medical Release/Emergency Contact Form (*Construction Projects)
Volunteer Medical Release/Emergency Contact Form (*Non-Construction Projects)
Form for unaccompanied high school minors, under the age of 18 years old
Volunteers traveling alone must submit 3 references. These must be completed by individuals who know you well and can attest to your character; ministry experiences but are not family members. One reference must come from your pastor or regional executive minister
Individual Volunteer Reference Form
FOR GROUPS, Including DISCOVERY TRIPS
Group Registration Form (Up-dated in 2019)
SPECIAL FORM FOR VOLUNTEERS HEADING TO CHINA
TRAINING RESOURCES
Going With God Leader’s Guidebook & Together On The Journey; 3 Essentials are manuals STM team uses to lead pre-trip orientation sessions.
Helping Parents Connect with the Mission Trip Experience
A Helpful Reminder: Sending Churches
When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbert & Brian Fikkert – book
When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbert & Brian Fikkert – video
Profiles of African American Missionaries by Robert J. Stevens & Brian Johnson – book
Third Culture Kids by David Pollock – book
Cross-Cultural Communication TED Talk – video
INFORMATION ON RAISING SUPPORT
Support Raising Ideas (STM Book)
Support Raising Ideas (Southern Nazarene University)
God Provides Funding – Encouragement Letter