FAQ (Short-term)
- What are the requirements to apply for a short-term trip?
- How long does the application process take?
- Do I need any training or experience to take a short-term trip?
- Do I have to know a foreign language to go?
- Is there a fee to apply for a short-term trip?
- What does the posted cost of the trip include?
- Can I pay for my trip myself?
- Can I pay for my short-term trip online?
- When can I start raising support?
- How do I raise support?
- How do I know how much support I have?
- What if I raise support in excess of the outreach cost?
- Do I need a visa for my short-term trip?
- What immunizations do I need for my short-term trip?
- When should I apply for my passport?
- Can I withdraw from an outreach? Or change to a different one?
- Can I come early/late or leave early/late from the outreach dates?
- When can I buy my plane tickets?
- What should I pack for my short-term trip?
- Who is on my short-term team?
- What is a typical daily schedule on a short-term trip?
Application Process and Training
What are the requirements to apply for a short-term trip?OM is composed of people from many national, ethnic and denominational backgrounds. We are looking for faithful, not perfect, followers of Jesus who desire to join with others in reaching the unreached around the world. Those wanting to join OM on a short-term outreach should meet these requirements:
- Be a follower of Jesus for at least one year
- Have a growing relationship with Jesus
- Be actively involved in a local church
- Agree with OM’s Doctrinal Statement
- Willing to trust God to provide for your financial needs
- Be at least 18 years old, or turning 18 by departure date of outreach.
If you do not meet all of these requirements or if you have general questions before proceeding, please ASK a Missions Coach.
OM USA can only accept applications from American citizens, US permanent residents (green card holders), and those with American Student Visas. All other nationalities need to visit the international OM website to find the OM office nearest you.
How long does the application process take?
You should submit the online application at least 90 days before the outreach begins. Each person has a unique situation, requiring customized care and decisions. Completing the actual paperwork for the application may take just a few weeks. After we receive all parts, we generally let you know within one month whether you have been accepted. The Application Process explains this in more detail.
Do I need any training or experience to take a short-term trip?
No formal missions training or experience is required! We want to assist you in your journey whether this is your 1st or 50th short-term trip.
After you are accepted, we send you several books that help you prepare spiritually, as well as information about OM and the country you are visiting. Practical ministry training is provided by the team you are joining for your outreach. For example, if you are spending one week in Central Asia for children’s ministry and sports evangelism, the team in Central Asia will lead you in an orientation and training time, teaching any important cultural and ministry elements.
Do I have to know a foreign language to go?
Knowledge of a foreign language is helpful but not required! Translators are provided for public meetings, although in-depth personal conversations may be limited without fluency. You will probably be taught a few phrases and songs during orientation in your destination country, and you will have many opportunities to participate in ministry through mime, drama, music, dance, prayer and practical tasks.
Fees and Raising Support
Is there a fee to apply for a short-term trip?There is a $20 application fee ($21 if paid online), which covers the cost of your application packet (books, devotions, support-raising information, packing list, etc).
What does the posted cost of the trip include?
The posted online cost covers ministry expenses for your outreach, overseas health insurance, transportation in the destination country, accommodations, food and administrative costs.
Can I pay for my trip myself?
How you choose to fund your trip is your decision. We encourage participants to build a support team, asking friends, families and churches to get involved in advancing God’s kingdom by giving to someone they personally know. However, if you do not wish to build a support team, you can fund the trip yourself.
Can I pay for my short-term trip online?
After you have received your acceptance letter from OM, you will have the option of paying for your short-term trip online. Your Coordinator can give you instructions on how to do this.
When can I start raising support?
After you have received your acceptance letter from your Coordinator, you can start raising support. Please do not start raising support until you have been accepted.
How do I raise support?
Building a support team can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Once you have been accepted, you will receive a packet from us providing helpful directions and practical suggestions on how to build a support team. During the support-raising process, please remember to mail all checks directly to your Coordinator who will make sure the funds get put into your support account.
How do I know how much support I have?
After you have received your acceptance letter from OM, you will be able to track your support through an online system. The online system requires that you have a secure email account (possible carriers: www.swissmail.org or www.hushmail.com. Your Coordinator can give you instructions on how to check your support online through this system--tracking not only how much you have, but also who has given.
If you do not wish to set up a secure email account, or cannot, your Coordinator can send you your support account information when you request it (up to twice monthly).
What if I raise support in excess of the outreach cost?
If you do not need any money for reimbursement, your remaining funds go into a general OM fund which sponsors full-time missionaries and the work of OM around the world. You can also choose to put your extra funds toward participation in another short-term trip, within two years.
After you return from your trip, if you have unused funds in your account, you may choose to be reimbursed for expenses such as flight, visa and immunizations. We can reimburse you up to the amount you have remaining in your account. Please send your Coordinator a written request along with all original receipts.
International Travel
Do I need a visa for my short-term trip?A visa is a document issued by a country giving you permission to be there within certain dates for a certain purpose. A visa is usually stamped in or attached to your passport.
If you need a visa, your Coordinator will tell you after you have been accepted. It is your responsibility to apply for it. Generally speaking, visas are not required for Americans visiting countries in South and Central America or Western and Central Europe. Complete visa requirements can be found here.
What immunizations do I need for my short-term trip?
Immunizations help build your immune system against specific diseases. Please see the travel section here for a complete listing of immunization information. We recommend that you consult your local health department or family physician for recommendations. If a certain immunization is required, your Coordinator will let you know.
Be aware that some immunizations need to be given in a series of visits or need to be given within a certain time-frame. The costs may be covered by your health insurance, so please check with your provider.
When should I apply for my passport?
If you are in the application process, we recommend applying for your passport now. Depending on the season, passports can take up to three months to be issued. If your outreach date is less than three months away, you may consider paying for an expedited process through the Passport Agency.
About Your Outreach
Can I withdraw from an outreach? Or change to a different one?If your plans change, please contact your Coordinator as soon as possible. You are responsible for any fees incurred by OM on your behalf.
If you choose to serve on a different outreach instead (now or in the next two years), your unused support funds can be transferred and used for the new outreach.
Can I come early/late or leave early/late from the outreach dates?
Most OM teams do not allow participants to arrive early/late or leave early/late. The dates posted are the dates you are expected to arrive and leave that country. However, if you have a unique situation, check with your Coordinator about your options. Some teams may allow you to do this for an extra nightly fee.
When can I buy my plane tickets?
After you receive your acceptance letter from OM, please feel free to reserve your plane tickets! We recommend purchasing a refundable ticket (this allows for date/flight changes) or paying the small fee for trip insurance. With your acceptance letter, you will receive a list of recommended travel agencies, but you are not required to use them.
What should I pack for my short-term trip?
You will receive a suggested packing list along with your acceptance letter where we clarify cultural considerations, shoes, electric appliances, personal items, instruments, cameras, etc. The destination country may also have suggestions, and we will pass that information on to you.
Who is on my short-term team?
OM short-term trips are available to participants all over the world! You will be serving on a team with people from different nationalities, ethnicities and denominations. Because of the diversity within OM and our international offices, we don’t know how many people will be on each team. On average, a short-term team will have 6 - 25 participants, but this varies by the type of outreach and time of year.
If there are other Americans participating in the same outreach with you, we can put you in contact with them via email, as long as all parties consent.
What is a typical daily schedule on a short-term trip?
Under the leadership of long-term OM missionaries and local churches, you will have the opportunity to experience ministry in a cross-cultural setting, working alongside an international team. Daily life is often busy, because we want to make the most of your time! Mornings often include personal and team devotions, practicing evangelism tools and preparing for ministry. Afternoons and evenings are usually spent in ministry. You may have one day for resting and sight-seeing, depending on the length of your outreach. Be prepared to stay busy and be flexible! Didn’t find the answer you need? Please ASK a Missions Coach.
