GENERAL TRIP QUESTIONS

IS IT SAFE?
Before a destination is selected, its political situation, recent and previous history, and national issues are evaluated. We perform site assessments with the host ministry for each destination. We only work where we have personal relationships with the host and know the situation well. While a mission trip is in the planning stages, travel advisories issued by the U.S. State Department are consistently reviewed and frequent communication is kept with the host contacts. If a destination is determined to be unstable, it will be closed and all affected team members moved to other projects. We register each team member with the U.S. State Department on its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

WHO WILL BE MY TEAM LEADER
All team leaders are approved and trained by the leadership at Church of the King. The team leader for each trip is posted at ReachOurWorld.org.

ARE SOME TRIPS MORE DIFFICULT THAN OTHERS?
Yes. Some trips are difficult physically. Many of our trips require hours on your feet, hot conditions, and uncomfortable transportation or sleeping conditions. The trip application asks you to list any physical conditions that could limit you during the trip, such as: back problems, heart problems, extremely poor eyesight, hearing loss, pregnancy or possible pregnancy. These items do not automatically disqualify an applicant, but may be addressed by the team leader if the trip’s activities may not be suitable for you. Other trips may be difficult culturally. Each country is subject to their government’s rules and regulations and we work very closely with any restrictions that our international hosts require.

WHAT IS THE BEST FIRST TRIP TO TAKE?
This is a great question! We recommend that you attend one of the Reach Our World informational meetings to learn about all the trips. If this is not possible, please contact the Reach Our World Global Department to answer any questions and assist you in selecting the right trip.

WHAT ARE THE TEAM MEMBER EXPECTATIONS?
Each team member is expected to attend all team meetings, make timely trip payments, abide by all team rules, be a team player, and communicate with the team leader. Each team member will review and sign the Team Member agreement, which outlines the specific rules and expectations.

WILL MY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS BE ALLOWED ON THE TRIP?
Yes. All medications must be listed on your application (including dosages and prescription strength). All prescription medications must remain in original prescription bottles during travel. Please note that certain medications may not be allowed. You will be personally contacted to discuss if there are concerns. Please contact us with any questions.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY?
Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed to determine whether it is approved. Please allow ten working days to review your application. Applications may be denied or directed to another trip for a number of reasons; the trip could be full, the team member may not fit specific team requirements, etc. If approved, you will receive an email with instructions regarding payment of the Application Fee of $200. All applications are subject to approval.

WHAT FORMS ARE NEEDED FOR ADULT TEAM MEMBERS (18+)?
Adult Consent & Release Form
Insurance Assignment Form
Team Member Agreement
Additional paperwork may be required for some trips.

WHAT FORMS DO MINORS (UNDER 18) NEED FOR THE TRIP?
Minor Consent & Release Form*
Insurance Assignment Form*
Team Member Agreement
Additional paperwork may be required for some trips.*
*These forms need both parents’ signatures and notarization

WILL THERE BE ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK?
Our host organizations may ask for additional forms to be completed, depending on the project involved. These forms will be available for download inside Managed Missions.

MY TEENAGER HAS BEEN ACCEPTED TO A TRIP. CAN I ATTEND TEAM MEETINGS WITH THEM?
The team leader welcomes any parent(s) to the team meetings. It is a time of team building and we ask that the parent attend as an observer only. If parent(s) have any questions, they are welcome to direct them to the team leader privately after the meeting.

AS A PARENT, I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE SAME TRIP AS MY TEENAGER. IS THAT POSSIBLE?
This is determined on a case-by-case basis. As a reassurance, we do provide excellent supervision on all trips. Please contact us to discuss this possibility.

WHAT IS A MANAGED MISSION?
Managed Missions provides team members online access to team documents, team meeting schedules, their personal funding progress, and a Public Profile that can be shared via social media or email. Instructions are sent to each team member on how to create your Managed Missions account.

DURING THE TRIP

CAN MY FAMILY CONTACT ME DURING THE TRIP?
We request that each team member “unplugs” as much as possible for the duration of the trip. This includes unplugging from social media, texting, and phone calls. There may be opportunities for team members to get online to contact home but such opportunities are not guaranteed. Many locations do not have WiFi. Given the time difference on many trips, the best time to call home could be in the middle of the night for the team members. The Reach Our World Global Department is in constant daily contact with all traveling teams and host ministries in that country. We will certainly contact family members if there is cause for concern with any trip.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A TEAM MEMBER GETS SICK ON THE TRIP?
We will always work diligently to get immediate medical care for any sick team member, no matter the destination. The team member’s emergency contacts and medical information on the trip application are vital to avoid any medical allergies. Please refer questions to our office.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AT HOME WHILE I AM GONE?
In case of an emergency, family members should contact Reach Our World Global at 985.292.3152.

WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED? ARE ANY REQUIRED?
We encourage each and every team member to visit the Center for Disease Control’s website at cdc.gov to review required and recommended vaccinations for the destination. Discuss the vaccinations with your personal doctor.

ARE THE TEAM MEMBERS EVER LEFT ALONE ON THE TRIP?
Safety is a high priority for all of our teams. Adult team members are to always move in pairs, even in the airports. Minors are never left without an adult and are required to be in constant contact with their team leader during the entire trip.

PASSPORTS

DO I NEED A PASSPORT?
All international travel requires a valid passport. The passport must be valid for six months past the dates of travel and must contain at least three blank visa pages.

Domestic trips simply require a valid driver’s license.

WHY DO YOU NEED A COLOR COPY OF MY PASSPORT?
The information found on your main passport page is used in purchasing your ticket for an international trip. Airlines do not allow name corrections once the ticket is issued. Color copies are more legible and much easier to read. We ask that you either scan/email the color copy to [email protected] or bring it to your team leader.

MY PASSPORT HAS EXPIRED. CAN I STILL USE IT?
Your passport needs to be valid for six months past the dates of travel. Renewals for adult passports can be handled by mail. Go to travel.state.gov for complete instructions. Before you pay extra to have your passport expedited, please contact us at 985.292.3152.

HOW DO I APPLY OR RENEW A PASSPORT?
Complete instructions and fees are listed online at travel.state.gov.

DO I NEED TO EXPEDITE MY PASSPORT PROCESSING?
New passports typically take four to eight weeks to receive. Passport renewals typically take two to three weeks to receive. Before you pay extra to have your passport expedited, please contact us at 985.292.3152.

I’M UNDER AGE 18. DO BOTH PARENTS NEED TO GO WITH ME TO GET MY PASSPORT?
Please refer to travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date information.

  • Children ages 16-17 with their own identification can apply for a passport without a parent/guardian.
  • Children under age 16, both must have parents/guardians appear in person with the child and provide consent authorizing passport issuance to the child.

1. If one parent/guardian is unable to appear in person, then the DS-11 application must be accompanied by a signed, notarized Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent from the non-applying parent/guardian.
2. If the child only has one parent/guardian, evidence of sole authority to apply for the child must be submitted with the application.

      DO I NEED A VISA FOR MY TRIP?
      Certain international trips require an entry visa. If a visa is required, you will be responsible for obtaining additional passport-type photos to include with the visa application. Your trip fee covers processing costs for the visa. We work closely with a visa processing expert who will advise us regarding the specific requirements for the countries to which we are going. Each country has its own particular list of other documents needed before it will issue an entry visa. Team members must remain flexible and willing to obtain any requested documents.

      FUNDRAISING

      AS A TEAM MEMBER, WHAT IS MY FINANCIAL COMMITMENT?
      The entire cost of the trip is to be covered through your payments or donations from sponsors towards your account. You assume full responsibility to make trip payments by deadlines in order to remain on the trip. All trip funds are non-transferable and non-refundable.

      WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY TRIP FEE?

      • International round-trip airfare
      • Trip insurance for emergencies
      • All lodging at destination
      • All meals at destination + bottled water
      • All ground transportation at destination
      • Visa application fee (if required)

      WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN MY TRIP FEE?

      • Spending money, souvenirs, snacks,
      • airport meals, beverages, etc.
      • Optional activity fees
      • Transportation to/from airport (New Orleans)
      • Passport fees, photos for visas (if needed)
      • Vaccinations

      CAN I USE FREQUENT FLYER POINTS TO HELP PAY FOR MY TRIP?
      Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate paying with points for any portion of the trip.

      A SPONSOR MADE AN ONLINE DONATION TOWARDS MY TRIP, BUT IT DOES NOT SHOW UP IN MY MANAGED MISSIONS ACCOUNT.
      All team member payments and donations go through the Reach Our World Global Department. Depending on when the payment was received, it may not be posted to your account for several days. Always feel free to contact us with any questions at 985.292.3152.

      WHAT IF I DROP OUT OF THE TRIP?
      We begin making financial commitments for airfare and ground accommodations as soon as we receive your application fee. Therefore, if you drop out of the trip, the application fee and any other payments are non-refundable. Trip funds are non transferable to other trips.

      CAN I DONATE WITH A CHECK?
      Yes! All checks should be made payable to Church of the King
      Write “Mission Trip” in the MEMO Section
      Include a separate note with the team member name and trip name
      Important: if the team member name appears in the MEMO section, the check will be returned to the sponsor for correction. Due to IRS Guidelines, we cannot accept checks with names in the MEMO section of the check.
      MAIL CHECK TO:
      ( 1 ) Team member home address OR
      ( 2 ) Reach Our World Global, Church of the King,
      22205 Little Creek Road, Mandeville, LA 70471
      Thank you for supporting mission team members! All trip payments (except trip application fee and Israel Study Tour fees) are tax deductible. Giving Statements are mailed out annually from the Accounting Department.

      WHAT IF I DROP OUT OF THE TRIP?
      We begin making financial commitments for airfare and ground accommodations as soon as we receive your application fee. Therefore, if you drop out of the trip, the application fee and any other payments are non-refundable. Trip funds are non transferable to other trips.

      WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?
      Reach Our World Global Department at 985.292.3152 or [email protected].

      Fundraising

      To learn more about fundraising, visit our fundraising page.

      About Fundraising

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