Short Term Missions Policy

We give God glory for the increasing number of our people, young and old, traveling from Houghton in a wide variety of team and solo short term ministries. What follows is a policy that will guide the Missions Committee as it assists the church in responding to these ministries.
Goals:
     1. To involve many of our people in significant and strategic ministries across cultures.
    2. To link with our supported missionaries and ministries abroad, especially under Wesleyan World Missions.
    3. To provide accountability and assure adequate preparation at home and abroad in these endeavors.
    4. To foster ongoing commitment to cross-cultural missions through participation in and subsequent reports of these outreaches.

Categories:

      1. Locally initiated and repeated ministries and partnerships. (e.g. Haiti, Kingsley)
      2. Locally sponsored ministry/work teams.
      3. Extended (one month or longer) and short term (under one month) adult ministries with recognized organizations.
      4. Official church-sponsored Young Adult and Youth team ministries.
      5. Young adult and youth solo youth ministries with recognized organizations.

Support Guidelines:

     1. The Annual Missions budget shall include ongoing allotment for short term ministries from which the committee shall distribute funds.
     2. Regular support in the budget shall include assistance to non-local church young adults through World Mission Fellowship allotment, and a regular allotment for Houghton College Athletic Outreach.
     3. Criteria for distributing and approving requests for funds include:
          a. Official sponsorship by HWC youth or young adult ministries.
          b. Priority consideration for Wesleyan World Missions affiliation.
          c. Other recognized mission organizations or supported missionary programs.
          d. Significant purpose and duration of the ministry.
     4. Steps required for seeking assistance from Partners Abroad funds include:
          a. Completion of application form (description, length, agency, need of ministry).
          b. Interview with and endorsement of a member of the committee or the whole committee.
          c. Approval and allotment by the committee.
     5. Guidelines for requesting the church for tax exempt coverage (Normally gifts should be channeled through a sending mission agency):
          a. Must be an officially sponsored ministry with recommendation of the Missions Committee and approval of the Board of Elders.
          b. Group or team ministries have priority over individuals.
          c. Age and maturity, nature and goals of the ministry, and local church involvement in planning will be taken into consideration.

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