This contains all the important dates, times and other information that you might need to know about your friend or family member's upcoming summer of ministry.

What is Youth In Mission?

Youth In Mission is an eight-week summer ministry opportunity for college students. The cost for the eight weeks includes: one week training camp, flight to and from the site, housing, food, and transportation while on-site.

Youth In Mission is an opportunity for college students to strengthen the ministry of the Church and to foster an environment where students can gain a deeper sense of God's work around 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 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 Kansas City May 27-June 1, 2008 and students are on their ministry site from June 1 to July 24. Students return to Kansas City on July 24, 2008 for Re-Entry Camp and are free to return home on July 27, 2008. In summary, the dates for 2008 are May 27-July 27, 2008.

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. You can access these by going to the YIM website (www.youthinmission.org) and click the button for any section, such as "About YIM," or "Contact YIM." You will then see a navigation bar on the left side of the page. Click "Ministry/Training." There you will see the section listing the MIL's.

How does insurance work for a YIM participant?

While on YIM your student is covered under the Nazarene Headquarters Insurance Policy. I have listed below the basic information for each one. (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.

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 World 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 World 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 915-562-6300 x2050 or x2002
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. (The following information, in blue, was taken from the "Friendraising" packet sent to the students with their initial acceptance packet.)

"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.

POLICIES ON YOUTH IN MISSION CONTRIBUTIONS

Schedule - The payment schedule is set up for a reason. Its purpose is not only to help keep you on track, but also to make sure that there is enough money in the YIM accounts each month to care for purchases that must be made in advance.

Deadlines - At least sixty percent of the total contribution amount is due two months before your trip. If this amount (the fourth payment) is not received by the YIM office on or before that date, then you could be prevented from participating in Youth In Mission. We ask for your complete diligence. We are already beginning to purchase ministry materials and pay deposits for Training Camp. We also will be purchasing your airline tickets between Training Camp and your ministry site by early spring. You must have enough funds in your account to cover this expense. If you do not, you could be prevented from participating in Youth In Mission.

Airfare - As just mentioned, airfare from Training Camp to your Ministry Site and back to the Training Camp location is covered in your total YIM contribution amount.

Airfare from your Home to Training Camp and from the Training Camp location back home must be paid for by the participant, due to the fact that everyone will be coming from various locations.

In the event you decline your assignment after your ticket has been purchased, except in the case of documented serious illness or a death in the family, you are required to pay the YIM office the full amount of the non-refundable ticket no later than May 5, 2008 (5/5/08).

Extra Funds - If your student raises over the amount for the trip and their airfare from home to Training Camp, the extra money will aid other YIM students and other YIM ministry sites.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION TAX CREDIT

In order for a donor to receive a charitable contribution receipt, all checks must be payable to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene.

During the fundraising process, a participant may only raise funds for the purpose of the ministry itself, which includes the total contribution amount and Training Camp airfare only.

REFUNDS

Due to changes in the IRS tax code, there will be no refunds of funds donated to the Youth In Mission program at any time. All funds raised for the Youth In Mission program will be considered charitable contributions. All donors will receive a charitable contribution receipt for donations to the YIM program. Therefore, even if a specific participant/(recipient) drops out, there is no refund of these charitable donations.

HOW TO SUBMIT CONTRIBUTIONS

As a reminder, contributions must be submitted with a completed remittance form. The church number must be included in order for the donor's church (if Nazarene) to get credit for "10% Giving to a Mission Special." This will also insure that we know what or whom the donation is designated for. The check is to be payable to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene. The check and the remittance form should be mailed to General Treasurers Office, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131-1213.

Friendraising is sometimes seen as one of the most difficult aspects of missions work. It is an awesome opportunity for you to participate in the students ministry by supporting them and their site through prayer and financial resources.

Please feel free to contact the Youth In Mission staff if you have any questions concerning the fundraising process. 915-562-6300 x2050 or x2002