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Selecting Your Missions Team
As you prepare for your project, you’ll first have to select your team. The success of your preparation process and actual project largely depends on the make-up of your team – sometimes, who you’re with matters more than what you’re doing! The selection process should screen both the youth and the adults.
Your adult leaders participate in the same ministries and activities as the youth. We suggest bringing one leader for every five-seven youth members. Leaders should:
- have a heart for missions;
- have a heart for youth;
- be flexible;
- be spiritually mature;
- have the stamina to keep up with youth;
- be comfortable with living closely with youth; and
- be comfortable with cross-cultural experiences.
Form a selection committee composed of leaders in your church who will not be on the project, such as missions committee members, other church staff, or interested parents. Base your selection on the following:
- Written testimonies: Every member of the team must should desire to grow closer to Christ and be able to share their story with others, allowing them to connect with the people they’ll minister to.
- Participant and reference forms: These should confirm what you already discern and observe of prospective team members. Please have everyone, including leaders, fill one out and send them along to us.
- Interviews: Ask, "What is your motivation for going on this project?" Many may be interested because their friends are going. Don't be afraid to decline candidates if they aren't serious about serving.
Don’t feel obligated to accept someone simply because they participated on a previous missions project. If during the selection process, you have grounds to believe that someone might not be a good fit or isn’t quite ready, don’t feel badly about not accepting them.
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