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29 January 2016 Hello Grace Chapel Students and Families, Thank you for taking the time to pray about what God’s doing in your life and the life of the church this summer. We’re so excited to journey with you. These past couple of years we have enjoyed experiencing deeper intimacy, a stronger sense of community, and more opportunities to minister to one another through smaller outreach teams. These smaller teams have enabled us to build friendships with our partners and with one another as we learn and serve alongside one another. We will continue to utilize this model as we minister to others to realize God’s Kingdom on earth. As you read through the options this year, you may be overwhelmed by the decision about which crosscultural learning opportunity to apply for. We have chosen each of these places and organizations because we share common values about God-honoring, mutually beneficial, effective partnerships. Each partner has a different but equally important mission. When we consider Jesus’ ministry on earth, we see that although he had an urgent goal--to get to Jerusalem--he took time to minister to each place and person along the way in the manner they specifically needed. Please prayerfully consider where God is asking you to join him this year on this journey to reconcile all people to Christ. Short-term cross-cultural mission learning experiences provide a unique opportunity to grow spiritually in a different way than we do at church. But there are other ways to grow spiritually that we want you to consider. Last year we introduced the idea of doing a discipleship program as an alternative to participating in a Cross-Cultural Learning Experience. To help you grow in leadership and service, we are offering these programs again this year. These “Additional Opportunities” are sponsored by organizations that we have personal experience with. We can recommend these programs with confidence! If you are unsure if God is calling you to join a Cross-Cultural Learning Experience this year, or you are not sure if you can commit to one, one of these discipleship programs may be a great alternative for you. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to learn and grow this summer! Here is a closing thought we’d like you to consider: in the fast-paced culture in which we live, we’re often tempted to think we must act now for results. Please rest assured that God is at work throughout the year and not just during summer short-term Cross-Cultural Learning Experiences. Take comfort in that and take the time to prayerfully consider the opportunities available to you this summer, detailed in this packet. Prayerfully, The Student Ministry Team

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Please take time to read carefully through each description of our Cross-Cultural Learning Experiences. You will notice that each missions experience has either a 101, 201 or 301 delineation. This simply is a way of helping you discern where you see yourself serving this summer.  If you have never been on a Cross-Cultural Learning Experience before, the 101 experiences are the best fit for you.  If you have participated on a cross-cultural missions experience before, then please consider the 201 or 301 experiences, or potentially serving in more of a leadership capacity on one of our 101 mission experiences. If you have any questions about what an experience will entail or your suitability for a particular CrossCultural Learning Experience, please talk to your Campus Student Ministry Director.

MS 101 Boston, July 31-Aug 5, Center for Student Missions, www.csm.org For students who are presently in grades 6 & 7 The city of Boston, Massachusetts is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country, which presents a range of challenges and opportunities. There are many different organizations and churches that are striving to meet many different kinds of social issues (i.e. homelessness) in our city. We will partner with Center for Student Missions, an organization that facilitates mission opportunities in Boston and other cities throughout the year. The goal is for participants to function as learners, growing in understanding for what it means to cross cultures and serve those who are in need with dignity and respect. Participants can anticipate working with organizations like Boston Rescue Mission and Cradles to Crayons. Lodging will be supplied by local churches in the city. We will be eating at different ethnic restaurants each evening. This is appropriate for students who have never been on a cross-cultural experience before and are excited to learn and serve in a new context.

Cost: $585

Optimum Group Size: 20 students

Team Leader: Andrew Breton

MS 201 Philadelphia, July 10-15, The Philadelphia Project, www.thephiladelphiaproject.com Recommended for students who are presently in grades 7 & 8 and who have participated on a previous missions experience Philadelphia is a large and diverse city with a rich history. Originally home to the Lenape Indians who were pushed further Northwest by migrating Europeans, Philadelphia was a politically strategic city during the Revolutionary War, and many of the historical landmarks remain. Philadelphia was also a popular destination for Irish and Dutch immigrants, giving rise to distinct neighborhoods and cultures within the city that endure today. After suffering economic setbacks throughout the 20th century, Philadelphia is still struggling to recover. The Philadelphia Project has been working for 15 years to serve Philadelphia, specifically in the areas of local homeowner support and care for children and families in the Germantown neighborhood. We will be partnering with TPP and a local church to run a VBS kids’ camp and work on ongoing home repair projects.

Cost: $550

Optimum Group Size: 15 students

Team Leader: Jocelyn Peirce Page 2 of 8

HS 101 Kentucky, July 17-23 | World Servants, www.worldservants.org Recommended for students who are presently in grades 8-12 Kentucky is a part of the Cumberland Plateau of the Appalachian Mountain Range. The wooded hills range in elevation from 641 feet to over 2,000 feet. There is a rich heritage that ranges from the Adena Indians (mound builders) to two civil war battles, to the coal camps that sprang up and faded as fast as the coal could be mined. The region has now become a center for art and music in the region through the Mountain Arts Center. This area has many sides of beauty from its mountains to the people that call this their home. The median income for a household in this area is $14,808. (The current federal poverty line for a family of four is $24,250.) About 40.0% of the population lives below the poverty line. World Servants is working with a group of local community leaders that want to see positive change in the Eastern Kentucky region. Our focus is to assist in community revitalization projects, helping families with home repairs, sharing the love of Christ, holding outreach events for the children, youth, and families of the area. Please join us in putting smiles on people's faces, fixing leaky roofs, painting homes, and sharing joy that comes from learning and serving.

Cost: $1480

Optimum Group Size: 25 students

Team Leader: Adam Rowe

HS 201A Dominican Republic, July 9-16 | World Servants, www.worldservants.org Recommended for students who are presently in grades 9-12 and have participated on a previous missions learning experience World Servants has been taking teams to the Dominican for more than 25 years to meet physical and spiritual needs in small villages and communities that are materially poor and often severely underresourced. Past teams have been greatly affected by the attitudes of people living in these communities, gaining a new perspective on the truly valuable elements of life. This year we will be serving in a small village called Consuelito, where WS has been serving for two years. What will you do during your World Servants mission experience? Construction will be a significant piece of our daily agenda in the community. The current project in Consuelito is preparing a playground for the children in the village. The team will also host outreach events. Kids Club is a World Servants' tradition and they usually have anywhere from 100-300 children in attendance. Teams also visit people in their homes where groups are able to have a cultural experience and engage in spiritual conversations and pray for families. In the past, teams have also hosted sports tournaments for teens, different types of women's ministry, and medical clinics; World Servants are always looking for new creative ways to reach out to the people in a meaningful way. You should expect your housing to be dormitory style (bunk beds) at a camp. Showers are typically community style and cold. Safe drinking water will be provided and the food will be prepared by locals with a distinctive Caribbean flare. During the summer months the climate in the DR is hot and humid. Average summer temperatures are typically in the 90's during the day and drop into the 70's at night.

Cost: $1990

Optimum Group Size: 20 students Team Leader: Joelinda Coichy

HS 201B Guatemala City, Guatemala, July 31-Aug 7 | The Potter's House, www.pottershouse.org.gt Recommended for students who are presently in grades 10-12 and have participated on a previous missions learning experience Guatemala is a beautiful country called “The Land of the Eternal Spring,” with its green landscapes and mystical volcanoes. Tourism has become one of the main drivers of the economy, Guatemala receives

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about two million tourists annually. Guatemala has a population of 15 million people - 48% are children who cannot attend school, live in poverty and suffer many injustices. There is more to poverty than we realize. Poverty is more than a lack of money or resources, it has to do with an individual’s whole being. Potters House is a Christ-centered organization that has been fighting poverty and serving at-rick children and youth in Guatemala. Their vision is that through a personal relationship with God, every child and youth, would be developed holistically. Potter’s House helps fight against poverty by influencing the family, community and nation. Students will run a VBS, offer a free sports camp, participate in prayer walks and meet some of the material needs of the community by helping with construction projects.

Cost: $1950

Optimum Group Size: 20 students Team Leader: Leah Knight

HS 301 Guatemala City, Guatemala, Aug 7-14 | The Potter's House, www.pottershouse.org.gt Recommended for students who are presently in grades 11 or 12 and have participated on a previous missions experience This relationally intense mission’s experience is for those interested in working collaboratively with Guatemalan teens to pray, share, dream, and serve. Students will be working together with a group of Guatemalan peers to determine and execute a project of their choice to extend the kingdom and share the Gospel within the Guatemalan context. Guatemala is a beautiful country called “The Land of the Eternal Spring,” with its green landscapes and mystical volcanoes. Tourism has become one of the main drivers of the economy, Guatemala receives about two million tourists annually. Guatemala has a population of 15 million people - 48% are children who can't go to school, live in poverty and suffer many injustices. There is more to poverty than we realize. Poverty is more than a lack of money or resources, it has to do with an individual’s whole being. Potters House is a Christ-centered organization that has been fighting poverty and serving at-risk children and youth in Guatemala. Their vision is that through a personal relationship with God, every child and youth, would be developed holistically. Potter’s House helps fight against poverty by influencing the family, community and nation. Our team of students will work with Guatemalan teens to figure out together how best to achieve the Potter’s House vision. To make it possible for teens from Potter’s House to participate on this missions learning experience, our Grace Chapel team will raise some additional funds to help cover the costs of the Potter’s House participants.

Cost: $2150

Optimum Group Size: 6-8 students Team Leader: Leah Knight/Andrew Breton

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In order for the missions experience to be meaningful for all students, to be good stewards of our time and finances, and to ensure that Grace Chapel sends out well-prepared teams, the following will be expected of all students participating on a Cross-Cultural Learning Experience this summer. Please read carefully before signing the document, “Memorandum of Understanding (for Students and Parents). 

Attitude & Character: Students serving on a Cross-Cultural Learning Experience will ultimately be representing Jesus Christ and Grace Chapel. Therefore, students who are selected to the teams should be living a lifestyle that reflects a relationship with Christ. This doesn’t mean we are looking for perfect people, but we are looking for students who are seeking to live a life of integrity. Attitude and behavior throughout the year, as well as displayed on previous missions experiences will be considered when students are applying to join a team. If there is a concern about a student regarding behavior, character, safety, team dynamics or the like, a meeting will be scheduled with team leaders, the parents and the appropriate ministry Director to determine if a plan can be established in order for the student to have a successful experience and not hinder the team’s experience as a whole.

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Involvement: Students serving on a mission learning experience should have demonstrated regular attendance and involvement at Grace (i.e. HSM, MSM, Kidstown, Café, etc.). Students who are not connected to Grace Chapel will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Priority for placement will be given to students who are regularly involved in the ministries of Grace Chapel.

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Post-Cross-Cultural Learning Experience: Students who have been selected to serve on a missions learning experience will be expected to participate in a team debrief, share with supporters and others about your experience as well as participate in a service activity such as helping with Global Awareness Week, November 6-13, 2016.

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Financial: Missions experiences at Grace Chapel are primarily funded through raising your own support. However, they are also subsidized by the missions department. For International experiences, each student is required to pay for his/her visa, passport application, and/or medical expenses (including immunizations and medications needed for global travel etc.). These costs cannot be added to your fundraising goal. Every member of each Grace Chapel mission team will send out support letters to family and friends who will be asked to partner with them through prayer, encouragement and finances. Often the monies raised through support letters cover the entire cost of the experience for each student. At Redeemer Church in NYC, they have found that most of the time IF prayer letters are sent out on schedule and IF at least 50 people are contacted, all the funds come in.

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If excess money is raised by an individual, the money will be used to help cover the cost of other team members who under-supported. If the team raises more than the goal amount, excess funds will go to the Missions fund of Grace Chapel. The process for sending support letters will be covered at our first meeting on February 23rd. Teams are also encouraged to explore other various ways to fundraise support (i.e. organizing a yard sale, selling candles, etc.). Each team member is expected to raise 100% of their cost of the mission experience.

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Application: Each Cross-Cultural Learning Experience participant will need to apply. This application should take you about 60-90 minutes to complete, but of course is dependent on each student’s processing and writing style. Once we receive your application, we will consider the best placement for you. Keep in mind we may contact you if there is anything we feel would be helpful to follow up on.

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1. Carefully read this entire document. 2. Submit your application by February 12th. Application includes a: a. Completed online application b. Check deposit of $75 made payable to “Grace Chapel” c. “Memorandum of Understanding (for Students and Parents)” or MOU signed by parent/guardian and student applicant   

Your application will not be considered for placement until all three elements of the application are submitted. The link to sign up online is: https://app.managedmissions.com/MissionApplication/Start/3004 Submit the $75 check deposit and the signed “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) to: o Your Student Ministry Director on a Sunday morning o In person to the Youth Offices in 3 Militia Drive, Lexington, weekdays 9am-5pm. o Mail to: Grace Chapel Youth Offices; 3 Militia Drive; Lexington, MA 02421

3. Mission team acceptance and placement emails will be sent out by February 19th. If after receiving your email you decide not to go, please notify us by February 23rd in order to receive a refund on your $75 deposit. 4. Attend first team meeting for students and parents on February 23rd, 6:30-8pm. 5. Be prepared to send out your support letters prior to the first team meeting, March 20th. Upon acceptance, each participant will be receiving more information on these steps.

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$75 deposit is due upon submission of your Cross-Cultural Learning Experience application. It is non-refundable for applicants who are accepted. This check should be written by a parent or a guardian. This deposit is refundable IF a student is not accepted on to a team or makes the decision not to not participate by February 23rd. If this deposit is a financial hardship for your family, please contact the Student Ministries Director at your campus. 25% of the cost is due on April 8th. Letters will need to be sent out in early March. Upon being accepted, you will receive instructions for fundraising and letter writing. Note: If 25% payment is not received by this date, your team leader or a member of the student ministry staff will contact parents/guardian to verify that support letters have been sent, or will agree on a financial plan to bring the team member’s account current. 50% of the cost is due on April 24th. Note: If 50% of the trip goal amount is not received by this day, your team leader or a member of the student ministry staff will contact parents/guardian to establish that a financial plan is in place to bring the team member’s account current. 100% of the cost and all forms due by the Cross-Cultural Learning Experience Training Retreat, May 20th-22nd. Note: If final balance is not received, your team leader or a member of the student ministry staff will contact parents/guardian to arrange a plan for turning in final support and remaining balance. After sending out hundreds of short-term missionaries, we have found that fund-raising after returning from a trip is NOT successful. If you cancel your involvement after travel documents are purchased (airfare, insurance etc.) you will be expected to cover all the fees, penalties and losses incurred at that point. Any exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis by your campus ministry director in consultation with the Next Gen Pastor and the Missions Pastor.

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DATE January 28

TIME

DESCRIPTION

February 12

Due by 9:00 pm

February 19 February 23

Cross-Cultural Learning Experience Packet handed out and available ONLINE Cross-Cultural Learning Experience application Hear back about acceptance and placement Indicate by this date if you elect not to participate on a team this year upon being accepted

Team Meeting Dates DATE February 23 February 27 March 20 April 8 April 24 May 20-22 June 12 June 29 July 24 September TBD November 6-13

TIME 6:30-8:00 pm 10am-3:00 pm 6-8:30 pm 6:30-9:00 pm 6-8:30 pm Weekend 1:30-3:30 pm 6:30-8:30 pm 6:30-8:30 pm 1:30-3:30 pm

DESCRIPTION Mission Team Kick Off & Info Meeting WinterBlast Service Day Team Training Meeting Team Training Meeting | 25% of cost due Team Training Meeting | 50% of cost due Cross-Cultural Learning Experience Training Retreat at Toah Nipi (Rindge, NH) | 100% of the Cross-Cultural Learning Experience cost and all forms are due Team Dinner and Final Details Philadelphia, Kentucky, and DR Send Off Parties Boston, Guatemala 201 and 301 Send Off Parties Cross-Cultural Learning Experience Reunion Global Awareness Week

Important Note about Meetings: Attendance at each event listed above under "Team Meeting Dates" is critical. We know this is a big ask, but academic research on short-term missions indicate that teams who meet and prepare well ahead of time are more successful and effective. Cross-Cultural Learning Experiences are so much more than the 6-8 days we are away from home. We take seriously the responsibility to steward the time, money and resources we will be utilizing to come alongside and learn from our partners. We realize that you may have to miss a meeting, so in an effort to create unity on our teams, missing one or more meetings will require communication with your team leader prior to the meeting. If you find that the team meeting dates do not line up with your schedule, you may need to reconsider whether this is the year for you. Cross-Cultural Learning Experience Training Retreat, May 20-22, 2016: The Cross-Cultural Learning Experience Training Retreat will take place May 20-22, 2016 at Toah Nipi Retreat Center in Rindge, NH. The retreat will begin on Friday Night and will conclude on Sunday, early afternoon. The material covered during this time is mandatory for any Grace Chapel student or adult who is participating on a summer CCLE mission team. Logistics for the weekend will be forthcoming. If you are unable to make a portion of this missions training retreat weekend (which will need to be approved by your team leader in consultation with the next gen or missions pastor prior to the weekend), we will be offering a makeup time for the session you miss on the first three Sundays in June. For example, if you are unable to be a part of the Saturday night session, you will have to make that session up on the second Sunday. Make up classes will take place on Sunday Mornings at 9:15am at the Lexington Campus.

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We realize that it may not make sense for you to participate on a Cross-Cultural Learning Experience this year. We want you to know that this is okay because short-term mission experiences are just one of the many avenues for following Jesus this summer. There are many other opportunities that help us in our walk with Christ. We want to point you in the direction of a few awesome alternative opportunities you may want to consider. These ministries are run and staffed independent of Grace Chapel. Feel free to contact us if you have questions. To reserve your spot in any of these programs/ministries, please register directly on the ministry website listed below.

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Brookwoods, Deer Run, and Moose River Outpost: Christian Camps and Conferences offer three different summer camp experiences to choose from. For boys, there's Camp Brookwoods. This program offers an extensive list of activities in the woods, in and on the water, and on the sports fields. Camp Deer Run is a “home away from home” for girls age 8 to 16. It is one of the finest Christian camps in New England. Moose River Outpost is an exciting adventure for both boys and girls ages 11-17. All of these camps can be found at www.christiancamps.net

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Berea: Take the chance to build lasting friendships, worship with great musicians, learn from godly speakers and have a great time. Find out more information about dates, musicians, and speakers at www.berea.org

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Hume: Hume Lake NE is a great place for teens to learn more about having a relationship with their Creator God, and have a blast doing it! To register for a week of camp and to find out more details, check out www.humelake.org/newengland/summercamp

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Spofford: Camp Spofford’s Youth Camp summer program affords kids and teens ages 8-16 the opportunity to attend a Christian camp for a full week of fun, growth and fellowship! Find our more information and register at www.campspofford.org/youth-camp

Other Opportunities for High School Students 

Adirondack Leadership Program: The Adirondack Leadership Program (ALP) is an exciting opportunity for 15- to 18-year-old high school students to develop their leadership potential through adventure. Find out more about this program and applying at gordon.edu/adventurecamp/alp

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Compass: Compass is a leadership development program for high school students featuring a month long immersion component and extended three year mentoring component. Compass application deadline is February 15. Find out more about this program and applying at my.gordonconwell.edu/compass/home

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