Frequently Asked Questions about our Global Outreach Program

QUESTIONS ABOUT SUPPORT
QUESTIONS ABOUT SHORT-TERM, GLOBAL OUTREACH TRIPS

1. What is the GO Team and who is on it?
The GO Team is the group that makes decisions about GCC’s Global Outreach program. They set policies and support amounts, etc., and Debi Clifton, as the Director of Global Outreach, is in charge of making sure their decisions are carried out. Stephen Lay is the chairman, and the other members are Sheila Brunty, Charles Boyle, Arlo Kreun, Ken Kohlmeier,  Carol Gasson, Steve Vlahovich, Bill Kilgore, and Harold Martin.

2. How are the members of the GO Team chosen?
Membership is by invitation only, and there is an application form to fill out. All members must have taken the Pathways class and be actively involved in the ministry of Grace Community Church. The GO Team is currently not in need of new members.

3. May I attend a meeting?
Generally, meetings are not open to the public, as we sometimes deal with very sensitive material. But if you would like to attend a meeting, you may call Stephen Lay (480.961.4837) to see if the next month’s agenda would be appropriate for a visit.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SUPPORT

4. Does our church fully support our GO personnel?
No. Our budget for 2010-11 is approximately $300,000, and we have 45 units (families or singles). In order to fully support anyone, we would have to greatly reduce the number of workers or greatly increase our budget. Most of our cross-cultural workers raise the majority of their support from individuals. Those who give financially also tend to be their greatest prayer supporters.

5. Are all of our workers fully funded?
Most of them are close to fully funded, but there are always some who are struggling. If you are interested in providing support for a worker, please contact Debi Clifton at 480.820.3438 or Steve Vlahovich at 480.894.2201.

6. Can you tell me how much monthly support each worker gets from GCC?
No, but you may ask them personally. It is not our policy to publish the amount.

7. How does the GO Team decide how to apportion the budgeted support?
We have a thorough process which includes asking their annual need, then considering how their type of work, place of work, degree of connection to the church, and years of experience fit into our support grid.

8. When I give to a GO worker through Grace Community Church, is my gift added to the monthly support they already receive from GCC?
Yes. Designated funds are forwarded to the agency, in addition to the budgeted support.

9. Is it better to support them through GCC or through their sending agency?
It is better to send your support directly to their agency. Funds will reach them more quickly, and it helps them to keep track of their supporters, because the agencies send them monthly donor lists. GCC only does that quarterly.

10. What other services does GCC provide for our GO personnel?
We have 2 homes near the church. Our workers may stay rent-free when they are home from the field. They are only responsible for paying the utility bills. We send Christmas gifts to each family annually. We provide other services, such as counselling, on occasion.. Our most important support, however, is in prayer.

11. If I support others who are not supported by GCC, may I give to them through GCC and have the church send the funds to their agency?
No. Our policy is to forward designated funds only to those workers supported or recognized by the GO ministry.

12. If I have a relative or friend who is doing excellent work as a cross-cultural worker, how can I get them added to our GCC Global Outreach family and budget?
You can’t. Our church is producing so many excellent, new cross-cultural workers that we simply cannot entertain requests from others who are not part of our fellowship, regardless of how worthy their work may be.

13. Is the Thanksgiving Offering in addition to our GO budget?
Yes. Each year we choose projects with a global outreach emphasis to include in the Thanksgiving offering.

14. What do we do locally?
First, we support many workers who are ministering locally. Examples are those who work on local college campuses and those who provide administrative support for sending agencies. All of them have a global component to their work, but the majority of their work is done locally. Second, we support several local ministries: Apartment Life places CARES teams in apartment complexes to do ministry. Christian Institutional Ministries works in Maricopa County jails and prisons. Quo Vadis Bookstore carries out a large variety of ministries near the ASU campus. Neighborhood Ministries reaches out to the urban poor in downtown Phoenix. Not only do we support them financially, but teams from student ministries work there throughout the year.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SHORT-TERM, GLOBAL OUTREACH TRIPS

15. What qualifies as a short-term trip?
Any trip approved by the GO Team that lasts from one week to two years.

16. What do you do on a short-term trip?
There are generally 3 types of trips:
a.) exposure trips—to see the need. Activities include prayer walking, talking with local workers, and visiting local ministries.
b.) ministry trips—to do the ministry through preaching, VBS, etc.
c.) service trips—to support the workers Nearly any skill can be used somewhere: construction work, computer skills, administrative skills, cooking, nannying, sewing, teaching English, mechanics, sports, teaching Bible study skills, etc.

17. How old do you have to be?
Any age is welcome, but children need to be accompanied by their parents. Junior High aged students and older can go on student ministries teams without their parents. There is no upper age limit. Anyone who is physically able to go on vacation in the U.S. is encouraged to go on a short-term ministry trip.

18. Will I receive any training?
Yes. If you go on a GCC-organized trip, you will receive some training.

19. How do I find out about upcoming short-term trips?
They are publicized in our worship folder and on the website. Or you can call Debi Clifton at 480.820.3438.

20. Will I need to get shots?
It depends on where you go. Tetanus and hepatitis A & B shorts are advisable for any trip.

21. How will I pay for it?
There are two ways. If you have the resources, you can pay for yourself. If you can’t pay for yourself, you can raise support from your family, friends, home group, etc. Their contributions to your trip can be made through GCC and will be tax deductible.

22. What can I do now to get prepared?
Any or all of the following:
a.) Take the Pathways course, which is taught every winter. This class will give you a clear understanding of the history, challenges, and goals of global outreach efforts around the world.
b.) Check out one of the many excellent, global outreach books and videos from our church library.
c.) Get to know a GO worker who is home on furlough.
d.) Use our monthly prayer and praise guide to pray for our workers and to better understand their lives.
e.) Start praying about your own future, and PLAN to go!

Still have questions? Please call Debi Clifton at 480.820.3438.