Summer Missionary Program is much different than the Summer Intern Program
The summer Intern program will be someone selected to be a youth minister with another youth minister as a trainer and a mentor. The pastor of this Church will also be the administrator and the Association with the Top O' Texas Baptist Association covering most of the exspense. The purpose for the Summer Intern is to support the church and help it to get to the point of sustaining it's own program with and for youth by the end of the summer. This is nothing like the Summer Missionary Program which is talked about and designed in the following ramblings from the Director of Missions.
Mission Statement: To teach and lead young people who have surrendered to the calling of the Lord in their lives and to guide them to walk in a deeper understanding of ministry and service to the people of God while truly impacting the work of Christ.
Time of Work: Six young people to work through the Association for eight weeks during the summer months. One young person who will serve as the lead person for the team of summer missionaries and will need to work extra to help organize the calendars and activities. This young person will work one week extra and earlier. The work schedule for all the summer mission team members will be long.
Supervisor: Director of Missions
Calendar of work and ministry: Executive Secretary working with the Team leader
Finances: A Love Offering can be taken up prior to the end of the summer from the Churches that these young people served in. Whatever is received will be divided evenly among the young people after gas is deducted. The love offering is to cover gas and travel. What is left over will be divided evenly to each of the team as a bonus of excellence.
Pay: $220.00 per week for 8 weeks for each Summer Missionary
$250.00 per week for 9 weeks for Summer Missionary Team Leader
$1,000.00 Retreat, meals, miscellaneous ( the DOM disburses this)
Budget is 12.000.00 (total budget for the Summer Missionary Program)
Salaries 11,050.00
950.00 budgeted for retreat/meals and miscellaneous
Type of Ministries these young people are going to do…
Ministries: They will be asked to serve together in many different areas. In the past years I have seen these young people do surveys for new church plants, visitation for young people and revival work. They have done backyard bible studies and vacation bible schools as well as other Church functions. I want them to be involved in activities that will strengthen the local church and encourage the ministry heart of the local Church. At various times they have been able to do praise and worship or lead in singing or even preaching in Churches depending upon there gifts and talents. We won’t ask them to do things they cannot do. They will be able to give their testimonies at a moments notice as well as know how to lead someone to Christ. They are asked to always be a witness. Churches they are to serve in may need them to go to camp or even work with them in areas of outreach or retreats. These functions need to be planned well ahead of time so the Associational Office is able to schedule and help these young ministers to prepare correctly.
This next statement is very important…If the pastor does it then I have no problem with them doing it. Scrubbing pots to making coffee or setting up tables or chairs to doing a million other things that have to be done to prepare for worship. BUT... If it is busy work then this is not acceptable to me. Remember why we have designed this program.
How long can a Church have them? This does depend on your needs. The normal time seems to be about one to three days. If it is VBS we recognize that there would be the need to be there the whole time. Our goal is to have them in as many Churches as they can be in and be effective. Each Church would need to set up the amount of time they would be needed and schedule that with our office.(Dana) We would also need to know the number you would need. We will always have them going out in three’s. We will work directly with our team leader and he/she will work with us.
Can the young people stay at our Church or in our homes? I have some responsibilities that I will have to shoulder when young people are out at night. Even though they are older they are for the most part still at home and under mom and dads direction and rule. This is one of those things that we will have to take on a step by step basis. For instance if your taking them to RA camp to help with young people this is fairly normal. The office is to always know their whereabouts and how to get a-hold of them or go see them. When they are in your care you are to make sure they are safe and taken care of and fed. If they are spending the night of course, girls with girls and guys somewhere else. I know this sounds silly but today…wow…you know.
If something is not working out and we have to change our direction in mid stream, is it ok to keep them? We understand ministry and that it often takes different turns. Here is what I ask of you. That you plan out what you want them to do ahead of time and provide the equipment or materials that they need to do the job and the training. If it will take a while to train we will need you to get that to us before the summer so we can get a jump start on things. You will be asked two questions when you call and set up a time for them to come to your Church. One, what are you going to have them do and is there transportation for them and two, are you setting up preparation time for your people. Different jobs take different amounts of prep time. I want it really clear here, we need you to have your people involved as well.
Who can have them? Only an existing Church or Mission of our Association.
Can a Church give them a love offering while they are there? We do ask for any offering to go thru the Associational Offices and then at the end of their time all funds will be divided evenly after gas expenses.
What if there is a problem with one of the young people? You are to contact me, Brother James immediately. Action will be taken after hearing all the facts.
James Greer (Instant gratification is short lived and has an even shorter lifespan)
Top O’ Texas Baptist Association
Director of Missions
806-664-0067 cell
806-665-3152 office
