Policy on Missions Trip sponsorship
In obedience to Christ’s command and empowered by the Holy Spirit, individuals and families may develop a passion to travel to share the good news of the gospel. As a church body, Open Arms recognizes the biblical foundation of this calling, and seeks to support individuals/teams who travel as part of an Open Arms Church missions opportunity. Financial considerations for members* who seek to participate in church-sponsored missions travel are addressed through the “principle of thirds”:
1/3 of a trip’s cost is to come from the traveler’s own resources, 1/3 is to come from raised funds (i.e., requests made to family, friends, relatives, co-workers), and up to 1/3 may come from Open Arms designated funds. Administration of this final 1/3 is overseen by the Missions Team, who are responsible to evaluate opportunities for individual sponsorship in light of the funds that are available within each budget year. The primary exception to the “principle of thirds” pertains to team leaders, whose expenses are covered almost entirely by designated funds.
* Members eligible for financial support are those who are: in good standing with Open Arms Church; members by no later than 100 days before departure date; OR youth under 18 who attend regularly and are children of parents who are members in good standing.