FAQ

What is Youth In Mission?

Youth In Mission is an opportunity for college students to support the ongoing ministry of the Church, and it provides an environment where students can gain a deeper sense of God's work throughout the world. YIM is a place where students will have the chance to use their God-given talents in a variety of ways through ministry to others. These ministries point students to a different kind of lifestyle.

What is our mission statement?
Through this ministry, students have the opportunity to invest their God-given strengths and gifts in an unforgettable intercultural experience.

We invite you to join with us this year to live by faith.


Who sponsors Youth In Mission?
Youth In Mission is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. It operates from within the Youth Missions office of the World Mission Department at its Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas and out of our Nazarene Ministry Center in El Paso, Texas, USA.

Who can go on a Youth In Mission trip?
Youth In Mission actively enlists single, college and grad school-aged young adults between the ages of 18-25. While a great number of the students attend Nazarene colleges and universities, this is not a pre-requisite. The number of students from all types of universities and colleges continues to grow each year. Students representing over 30 universities, colleges and graduate schools have participated with Youth In Mission.

What does the cost include?
Our eight-week program costs cover the expenses of the one-week training camp, the flight to and from the site, housing, food, and transportation while on site.

What is the duration of a Youth In Mission trip and when does it take place?
The mission experience will last a lifetime but the opportunity itself, covers an eight-week period during the summer. This includes 1 week of training, 6½ weeks on site, and ½ week of debriefing.

Are there any additional expenses that a student should plan on incurring?
Expenses that are not covered in the trip amount are the students' transportation cost to and from our Training Center in El Paso, TX. We also do not supply funds for students to purchase souvenirs/gifts, clothing and other personal items, personal comfort food and any activities or excursions that are non-YIM related.

How big are the teams that I will be placed on?
Youth In Mission teams range in size anywhere from 3 to 8 members.  Increasingly, teams partner with additional team members who are recruited and trained at the ministry site or from the region of the world where the team will be serving.  The larger, combined team will function and minister as a fully operative team – not two separate teams.

What is Training Camp?
Youth In Mission believes in sending out well-equipped and well-prepared students. For this reason, Youth In Mission students participate in an intensive one-week Training Camp before heading to their sites. During the week of training students will develop team-building skills, participate in cross-cultural simulations, and attend seminars related to their specific on-site ministry. Students will also experience spiritual formation through personal devotions, observing the sacraments, corporate worship, and small group discussions.

When and where is Training Camp?
Training Camp takes place in El Paso, TX May 30-June 4, 2012 and students are on their ministry site from June 4 to July 26. Students return to El Paso on July 26, 2012 for Re-Entry Camp and are free to return home on July 29, 2012. In summary, the dates for 2012 are May 30-July 29, 2012.

What is the policy on attendance of weddings/other events?
A number of students always ask about the possibility of leaving Training Camp or their ministry assignment to be a part of a wedding or other family oriented events. Because we are bringing many students together for a shared experience, our policy is that we do not allow students to attend weddings/other events during Training Camp, during their summer ministry, or during our Re-Entry Camp. Whenever a team member leaves, the dynamics of the YIM experience are significantly altered. We offer you our regrets, but realize that ministry often includes uncomfortable sacrifice.

Do students raise their own support?
Yes. Students must raise the funds that will cover their food, transportation, air travel, housing, and ministry costs. The amount of each trip varies depending on location, economy, and ministry description. For the latest list of opportunities and their respective costs click here. Youth In Mission has a unique and vital support line through the Church of the Nazarene. Although the General Church of the Nazarene subsidizes the Youth In Mission program, participants are required to raise a ministry contribution for the cost of their summer ministry assignment.

What are MIL's?
Ministry Information Letters (MIL's) are monthly letters from our office to the students to inform them of what exactly they should be doing that month (besides raising money and reading their book). These are posted for the students on the 15th of every month beginning in February. 

How does insurance work for a YIM participant?
While on YIM the student is covered under the Nazarene Global Ministry Insurance Policy. Listed below is the basic information for each type of site. (Note: if your student is going on an international trip, they are under the domestic insurance while at Training Camp and Debriefing and international while overseas.)

• International Insurance AIG Policy - Primary Policy. This plan covers medical expenses from an injury or illness that occurs while a registered participant. This includes activities, traveling to and from activities and lodging. There is a $100 deductible. Will cover 90% of the first $5,000, then 100% up to $25,000. Pre-existing conditions are excluded.
• Domestic Insurance Hartford Policy - Primary for the first $500 and then becomes excess after $500. There is a $100 deductible. Charges after the $500 not paid by the primary insurance, can be submitted to Hartford (through Nazarene Headquarters) for consideration. This could include co-pay, deductibles and patient portion of charges. If there is no primary insurance we can submit "accident" medical expenses to Hartford for primary coverage. Maximum benefit of $25,000.

This information was last updated on September 1, 2010. This information can change at any time.  PLEASE CONTACT THE YIM OFFICE FOR CURRENT INSURANCE DETAILS.

How do I stay in contact with my YIM student?
During the summer the contact with the students will be very limited. The best method for this would be to buy a prepaid phone card that your student would be able to use to call you when he/she has time.

Is it safe to go on Youth In Mission?
All of our missionaries and site coordinators are constantly reevaluating and updating their contingency plans in light of world events. Our Global Mission department works in conjunction with the US State Department, the United Nations and people actually on the ground around the world to constantly monitor any developments and to ensure the safety of both the missionaries and the volunteers who are serving with them. Simply because you see something on the news about an event in the country your student is serving does not necessarily mean that they are directly affected (consider the difference between the brush fires in the Northwest and how they affect people in the Southeast.) And also the fact that what you hear on TV from both the media and the State Department is often politically motivated and may not be a true reflection of what is going on on site.

The Youth In Mission staff and the Global Mission department are committed to the continued ministry as well as the safety of those that minister. While we cannot guarantee the safety (no more than we can guarantee that your child won't be in a car accident on the way home from school) we will not knowingly place your student in a location where we learn that there are potential safety concerns.

What if there is an emergency?
In the event of an emergency here is the policy that is outlined for both you and your student:

Emergency Procedures for Parents

1. Call the YIM Office at 915-562-6300 x.2102
2. YIM will contact the student.
3. YIM Office will instruct the student to contact their parents.

Emergency Procedures for Students

1. Do whatever necessary to get First Aid to the sick/injured teammate.
2. Call the YIM Office
3. YIM will contact the parents
4. Parents will contact the students

These procedures are designed to provide accurate, calm information to both parties. For international students, the insurance or proper procedure may be different for international insurance and the YIM staff can provide the most accurate information regarding insurance policy and procedures for international emergencies.

What should you know about "friendraising"?
Youth In Mission would like to keep you informed about what we are asking the students to do as far as "friendraising" is concerned. At Youth In Mission, we believe in friendraising. It is not only practical, (people would much rather be your friend than your wallet), but Biblical. The model of the New Testament Church flows around an intimate, caring community, where "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Each day they continued to meet together… they ate together with glad and sincere hearts…" (Acts 2:44-46) There was contact and communication happening. There was trust built, which fostered an atmosphere of generosity. There was sharing and sincerity. We believe in the kingdom of God. Here is the basic information about raising funds, how it is turned in, and the rest of the "money" issues.

What is my contribution amount used for?
All of the contribution amount goes toward Training Camp (site rental, lodging, food, speakers, seminar leaders, entertainment, ground transportation, and miscellaneous supplies), print materials (for ministry information and Advance Training), airfare/travel expenses from Training Camp to your ministry site and back, ministry supplies (sound tracks, recreational supplies, skit books, music, etc.), and all of your basic needs from the time you land at Training Camp until you head home, not including personal items, excursions, and souvenirs. The Church of the Nazarene subsidizes your contribution amount to cover Youth In Mission expenses throughout the year including set up trips for ministry sites, communication between Kansas City and the field, recruitment, and staffing.