“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19
How Can You Serve Internationally Right Here In Waco?
September Global Partner Focus: Pastor A
For the month of September, we are praying for Pastor A in Southern Asia. He provides primary and secondary education, medical services, theological training, and church planting to a predominantly Hindu community.
October Global Partner Focus: Rohingya
For the month of October, we are praying for the Rohingya people. Traditionally from Myanmar (although they are a people without a country) they have been forcibly removed from their homes and live in the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. The Rohingya are primarily Muslim and are classified as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. We adopted this people group this year and are committed to helping spread the gospel among them through World Mission.
Global Partner Dinner: LSESD | Oct 12 | 6:00 pm | The Venue
Our long-time global partner from the Lebanese Society for Education and Social Development (LSESD) will be with us in October. In addition to financial support, our church has also sent teams to Lebanon to work alongside the LSESD. Come join us for a free dinner, and learn more about the various ways your generosity is making an impact in that region of the world. RSVP here.
November Global Partner Focus: B Family
For the month of November, we are praying for the B family in Central Asia. They were sent by First Woodway in 2005. They are currently on a stateside assignment working as a liaison for their sending agency and seminary students who are interested in going overseas.
Trips for 2023
God leads us to different places, people, neighborhoods, homes, and settings to share Christ. At First Woodway, we are ready to go wherever God sends us. Whether it be across the ocean or south of the border, we are ready to share God’s love with others.
Scholarship Information for Short Term International Mission Trip Volunteers
Raising Support for Short Term Mission Trips
*Prices may change slightly depending on airline cost
Southern Asia | September 20-30, 2023
Cost: Approximate cost $2500
Team size: 6
Deadline to sign up: June 10
We will be working with pastor A in his home country to serve alongside him as he shares the gospel. The focus of this team will be to encourage our brothers and sisters by serving with the gifts God has given us. We will be serving in a large city and in a village.
Lebanon Mission Trip | Dec 2-11
Cost: approximate cost $2300
Team size: 10
In early December we will be traveling to Lebanon to work with SKILD (Smart Kids with Individual Learning Differences). We will be working with children with a wide range of disabilities through doing activities with them, playing with them, and most of all, loving them! We will also be packing and passing out Christmas bags filled with educational materials and some special treats. If you enjoy working with children and have a heart for those with special needs, please sign up!
Thanks for your interest in one of our domestic or international trips! We are excited to partner with you to share the Good News to the ends of the earth. To officially register for a trip, complete the following steps:
- Fill out a Participant Agreement.
- Fill out a Missions Liability Release Form and Background Check Authorization Form.
- Submit your deposit (cash or check) to a member of the Missions Staff or to the church office.
- A member of the Missions Staff will contact you with required training dates and any additional information.
You may not be aware that whenever you give to First Woodway you are already supporting missions. Eight percent of your regular gifts are used to fund mission work in Texas and around the world through the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention.
That is significant! But why not pray about doing more? Many of our members contribute to missions over and above their regular tithe. These gifts are used to support our church’s mission partners, help us send teams to the mission field, and fund projects in Waco and around the world. You can designate a gift for missions by indicating your desire on your giving envelope or the memo line of your check.
Forms
Online Participation Form
**Parent Permission Form
**Liability Release Form
**Short Term Trip Scholarship Application
**Confidential Background Check Authorization
***International Travel
**Passport Application – First Time
**Passport Renewal Application
**Immunization Information
***Links
**International Mission Board
**IMB Student Missions
**North American Mission Board
**Frontiers
**Greater Europe Mission
**Go Now Missions
Financial Support for Trips
Raising Support for Short Term Mission Trips
One of the most common concerns for those interested in serving on a short-term or mid-term mission team is the cost. It can seem overwhelming to consider paying for a trip that is outside of our normal budget. However, as a body of Christ, we do not want money to be the reason we do not serve on a mission team or share the Good News. We believe that God can and will provide for our needs. It will take some intentionality and hard work, but time and time again God has proven that He is faithful to those He calls. Here are a few suggestions to help you raise support…
Support Team
Perhaps the most valuable part of your preparation for a trip is developing your own support team. This support team is made up of both prayer supporters and financial contributors. The goal here is to develop a team – not just raise funds! We encourage each team member to enlist 5-10 people to pray for the team, team member, the area the team is traveling to, and the ministry on the ground. This is a great opportunity to involved small groups and those who are unable to go on the trip.
Write Letters or Emails to Friends and Family
One of the most effective and proven methods to raise individual support is to write a letter or email to family, friends, and co-workers. There are many people who would love an opportunity to invest in someone they know personally on the mission field. We suggest sending support letters to 40-50 people.
View a sample letter.
Crowdfunding Sites
GoFundMe is a popular one, although there are fees involved that will be taken out of the total amount of money raised. PureCharity is another option, but has fees. Razoo is a free option.
Note: Giving through these sites is not tax deductible. If your donors want their gift to be tax deductible, they will need to write a check to First Woodway, following very specific details.
Keep Security in Mind! If you use a crowdfunding site to raise money for a First Woodway mission trip and your trip is to a location with moderate or high security risk, DO NOT include details of your trip on the page that would jeopardize security for you, your team, or the partners you’re going to work with! That means…
• DO NOT include specific country.
• Avoid words like “mission trip”, “church”, “First Woodway,” etc.
• Keep information on the site vague. You can give details to friends and family by other means NOT attached to the site.
• TURN OFF the option for “Visitor Comments” so that those who donate don’t make a comment on the page like “Praying for your mission trip!” that unintentionally jeopardizes the security of you or others.
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