Missions FAQs
Pre-Departure Questions
Q: How are the mission trip locations chosen?
A: We strategically chose mission contacts and locations based on relationships, strategic investment, and safety.
Many of our contacts we have created long-term relationships with, meaning we send them teams year after year after year. We either know our contacts personally or have been connected to them by trusted sources.
We also chose contacts who do sustainable Kingdom work, meaning our contacts have been planted in the nation or city long-term, have a good reputation with the local people, and have a sustainable ministry model.
Finally, safety is our utmost priority. We work hard to ensure that our students have a safe place to stay, are well taken care of on the field, and are in safe ministry situations.
Q: What does a “⛰” mean?
A “⛰” is the symbol of a mountain peak, and it is used to illustrate the amount of cultural immersion that someone should expect while going on this specific trip. Here is a breakdown to help you best analyze what “peak” would be the best fit for you:
Peak 1 ⛰️ Minimal cross-cultural engagement; shorter travel time; predominantly English-speaking ministry; mostly American-style food. If this is your first mission trip, Peak 1 is a great fit for you.
Peak 2 ⛰️⛰️ Moderate cross-cultural engagement; moderate travel time; predominately non-English speaking ministry; mix of American and non-American styles of food. If you’ve been on a mission trip or traveled a little bit before, Peak 2 is perfect for you.
Peak 3 ⛰️⛰️⛰️ Complete cross-cultural immersion; lengthy travel time; significant language differences; mostly non-American style food. If you want to be stretched out of your comfort zone in every area, Peak 3 is for you.
Peak 4 ⛰️⛰️⛰️⛰️ Complete cross-cultural immersion; lengthy travel time; significant language differences; mostly non-American style food; harsher climate or more difficult living arrangements. If you are looking for a challenging experience, Peak 4 will grow you in every area.
Q: What kind of training will I receive before my trip?
A: You are placed on a team in October and begin attending Big Team Trainings January-April. We train the teams on spiritual authority, worship and prayer, kids ministry, youth ministry, how to share a testimony, evangelize, preach, culture, religions, safety, and contact investment. All of our Team Leaders undergo approximately 150 hours of training.
Q: How do I pay for my trip?
A: Each student fundraises for their trip. Trip costs are based on length and duration. We encourage you to use this as an opportunity to trust the Lord’s provision, to ask people to partner with you, and to do creative fundraisers.
We ask that you send out 30 support letters in November when we host an event called “Stamp Party.” At the event, all the teams gather to stuff and seal their letters, then ORU Missions pays for the postage for both domestic and international addresses (ORU Missions will pay for as many letters as you want to send out). We see that most funds come in from these letters!
Beyond that, you are encouraged to fundraise in creative ways. It is the responsibility of each individual to raise their funds. Some teams do fundraisers together, but this is not required or expected of the team or its leaders.
Q: What are the funds used for?
A: The funds you raise go directly for the trip's costs, including flights, housing, food, in-country transportation, ministry supplies, administrative fees, visa costs (when applicable), training materials, Ropes training week, and Covid-testing (when applicable).
Q: I raised extra funds. Where are those monies going?
A: All fundraised monies that come into the ORU Missions office go towards mission trips. While extra funds cannot be refunded to the donor for any reason due to our 501(c)(3) status, they will go towards other students’ trips. Extra funds cannot be saved for future years, cannot be given directly to you, or used for any purpose other than mission trip costs.
Q: Are there any scholarships available?
A: There are limited scholarships available that are allocated at the discretion of the Directors. Scholarships are need-based and awarded only on financial deadline days.
Q: What are the financial deadline days?
A: To help you meet your fundraising goals, we’ve created smaller deadlines to make the fundraising process more manageable. The 2024 deadlines days are as follows:
25% Due - January 31
50% Due - February 21
100% - April 15
Q: If I cannot or decide not to go on my trip after I’ve started fundraising, why can’t the money be refunded?
A: ORU Missions and Outreach is a 501(c)(3) organization, and monies donated cannot be refunded for any circumstances. If you experience an extenuating circumstance (a death in the family, a serious illness, etc.) and want your funds to be held for the next academic year, you must petition and be given permission by the Directors.
Q: Will ORU Missions cover the cost of my passport?
A: ORU Missions will not cover the cost of a passport. Since passports require an extensive application and extend well beyond the length of the trip, ORU Missions cannot assist with the passport process.
The only service ORU Missions offers is passport photos. Our office takes passport photos for $5 (the typical cost at the post office is $15), and you can make an appointment with our office.
Passports are due on January 31 (the 25% financial deadline). If you do not turn your passport in on time, you will be moved to a domestic trip. We do this because all passports must be turned into our office before we can purchase flights and apply for visas.
Q: Will ORU Missions cover the cost of any necessary visas?
A: Yes, ORU Missions will do the paperwork and cover the cost of any necessary visas. You may take a visa photo (at no charge) and provide additional information for the visa paperwork, but you will not have to apply for or pay for the visa yourself.
Q: Who is leading the team?
A: One of the unique parts of ORU Missions is that all our teams are student-led, meaning there is a student Team Leader and a student Assistant Team Leader. These two students receive copious amounts of extra training and support throughout the year to equip them for these roles.
Q: Who is going on the trip with me?
A: The whole team is composed solely of ORU students: a Team Leader, an Assistant Team Leader, and Mission Members. All are current ORU students, either undergraduate or graduate.
Q: Am I required to get the Covid vaccination before my trip?
A: It is trip-dependent. When you fill out the application, you select one of three options:
Vaccination Required (VR Trip): Each student is vaccinated, and the team will observe the requirements of the contact and the country they visit.
Covid Conscious (CC Trip): The vaccine is not required for the students, but the team will still observe the requirements of the contact and the country they visit.
No preference: This means the student has no preference of which trip they are on, so the student is placed based on other information in their application. If they are uncomfortable with the trip's requirements, they are encouraged to speak to a Director about moving to a different team.
Covid-19 is still a strong reality, especially in other parts of the world. Even if things are stable in America, they can still rapidly change in the nations we serve. We maintain a flexible attitude when adapting to new Covid restrictions, mask mandates, etc. Suppose a nation that previously did not require the vaccine suddenly changes its policy or requires quarantine upon arrival. In that case, we will reroute the members of the team who do not want to receive the vaccination. We never require you to receive the Covid-19 vaccine if you do not want to get it.
Q: I looked up the nation I’m going to, and the Covid vaccination isn’t required to get in the country. Why is the trip a VR (vaccine required) trip?
A: Great question! Even if the government doesn’t mandate the vaccine, we consider other factors when assigning trips as VR or CC. A significant factor is the request of our contacts; many work with at-risk populations (the elderly, impoverished, refugees, etc.) who need greater protection. Another contributing factor is accessibility to restaurants or other indoor spaces; some nations require a Mobility Pass proving a person has the vaccine to be allowed in public indoor areas. The final consideration is the testing requirements to enter the country (the type of test required, timeframe before the flight, cost, team size, etc.).
Q: Am I required to get other vaccinations before the trip?
A: It is trip-dependent. Many of our trips do not require specific vaccinations, but we always recommend that you are up-to-date on basic immunizations, such as Hepatitis A & B and tetanus.
For some trips, we strongly recommend you receive the polio booster, typhoid, etc. A few trips have yellow fever or malaria requirements that are either mandated by the nation’s government or based upon our office’s assessment of what’s needed for individual safety. Our office provides a list of required or recommended vaccines and monitors outbreaks and risks throughout the year.
The cost of immunizations and the responsibility of getting them rests on you. If you are uncomfortable with the necessary vaccinations for your trip, you are always welcome to fill out the petition to be moved to a different team. You can click here to see our most up to date Immunization Requirements.
Q: Do I need medical insurance to go on the trip?
A: We encourage you to have medical insurance and carry your insurance card during the trip. We also purchase travel medical insurance for additional medical coverage on the field.
Q: What if I want to switch teams?
A: You can petition to change teams through a form on our website. Many factors go into placing you on a team, including length of trip, vaccination status, ministry interests, and capacity on the team. All of our teams have a capacity limit, meaning our contacts cannot physically host over a certain number of students.
If you need to switch teams based on your trip availability, health, or vaccination concerns, you will be moved to an available team, although it cannot be guaranteed to be a specific trip.
On The Field Questions
Q: What is Ropes?
A: Ropes has been part of the ORU Missions experience for over thirty years, and it is an impactful and intense week of final training and preparation before the teams leave for the field. It is designed to grow individuals, unify the team, and create a space to encounter the Lord in a consecrated way before sharing the Gospel. For Summer 2023, the schedule is:
Ropes | May 5-10
Free Day (to pack and prepare; students are not allowed to leave Tulsa) | May 11
Departures | May 12
The Ropes experience is designed to be challenging, both physically and spiritually. You will stay in the dorms on campus but are off-campus at a nearby facility during the day. However, we have a team of Ropes Facilitators, trusted pastors and leaders from around the country who give up a week to train our teams year and after year. This team is handpicked and full of incredible pastors and leaders who challenge you but also keep you safe and in an environment where you can grow. If you have a physical disability or injury, we will work with you to ensure you can safely participate.
All students must complete Ropes in order to go on their mission trip. If you cannot complete the entirety of Ropes for any reason, it is at the Directors' discretion if you can go on your trip. If certain instances or behaviors are exhibited at Ropes, you may not be allowed to participate on your trip for your safety and/or for the safety of your team.
Some instances that could prevent a student from going on their trip are: suicidal ideation, self-harming, volatile anger, unwillingness to submit to authority (to their student leaders or ORU staff member), refusal to participate in Ropes activities, or unhealthy spiritual activity or behaviors deemed by the Directors.
Q: How can I find out my travel plans?
A: You will be given your flight itinerary in late March. The Directors will instruct you to send your flight itinerary to any family member or designated guardian that would like to be notified or made aware of your travel details.
Q: Why does the Team Leader have to hold my passport?
A: Great question! After managing trips of young adults for many decades, we have found that it is best for the responsible, trained, and liable student leader to hold passports while the team is on the field. Our Team Leaders are trained extensively to carry and distribute passports responsibly.
This is a non-negotiable decision made by the ORU Missions & Outreach Office. A student’s failure to submit their passport to the assigned Team Leader during the ORU Missions trip will result in the student being sent home. The ORU Missions & Outreach office is liable for the safety and protection of our students while traveling, and we consider the responsibility of the passports to be of our utmost priority.
Q: Will I be able to contact my family while on the field?
A: Yes! You are welcome to have your phone and remain in contact with family during your trip. While we do not require that you have an international phone plan, you are welcome to purchase one if desired. Some trips have better WIFI or cell reception than others, depending on the city and nation. You’re encouraged to call your parents or guardian at least once per week to check in, share stories, and let them know how you are doing.
Q: Who are the ORU Missions Directors, and can my parents or guardian call them?
A: Our Directors are Augustine Mendoza and Allie Mendoza, and they are available 24/7 for the teams and parents or guardians when the teams are out on the field. You can check this page for any on-call updates and phone numbers as the trip dates get closer.
Week 1: Allie Mendoza (May 14 - May 20)
Week 2: Augustine Mendoza (May 21 - May 27)
Week 3: Augustine Mendoza (May 28 - June 3)
Week 4: Allie Mendoza (June 4 - June 10)
*The ORU Missions Directors on-call are full-time staff members at Oral Roberts University and are available 24/7 to manage all situations that may arise.
Q: What if I get sick or injured?
A: We recognize that many of our teams are in nations where minor injuries, sickness from new foods, or colds can happen from climate change. We send every team with a medical kit to help with scrapes, cuts, fevers, or upset stomachs.
If a severe injury or sickness occurs, the team will work with the contacts to ensure you are taken to the best medical clinic, doctor, or hospital in the area. Since every team stays in a different context, our contacts know best where to go. The trip insurance provided by ORU Missions is very comprehensive and is specifically designed for foreign travel.
Suppose you have an illness or injury serious enough that you need to come home. In that case, we will have either the Team Leader or Assistant Team Leader (whichever leader is the same gender as you) travel back with you, so you are never alone.
Q: What happens if there is an emergency at home where I need to come back early?
A: In the case of an emergency at home, we ask that you or your parents or guardian notify us by calling the Director on call. The Director can work with you and take care of the administrative aspects (informing the Team Leader and contacts, arranging the flight changes, etc.).
Q: What if there is a national emergency in the country my team and I are in?
A: We enroll all students in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Plan (STEP). This free service allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to register their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The Embassy would send any essential updates to us and be in communication in case of an emergency. Our office would work directly with them to ensure your safety, and we would also be in touch with the emergency contact you listed on your Emergency Contact Form.
Q: When will I come home?
A: There are two trip lengths: 2 weeks and 4 weeks, and this year there is a special trip at the end of June for Empowered 21. The dates for Summer 2023 are:
2-Week Departure: May 12
2-Week Debrief: May 26 (released by 4PM)
4-Week Departure: May 12
4-Week Debrief: June 9 (released by 4PM)
Q: What if there are flight delays coming back?
A: Flights days are too common, so we work closely with our travel agent to ensure all teams have the best possible flight path. If there are delays, lost luggage, etc., we will be in constant communication with the Team Leader, and our first priority is that your team is taken care of. If the team needs to spend the night in another city, we will book hotel rooms, ensure you get food, etc., with ORU Missions’ budget, and work with the airlines to get you back to Tulsa.
Q: Why do I have to fly back to Tulsa if I’m not from there?
A: We ask all our students to return to Tulsa for debriefing (see below to understand more about debriefing). If you want to ask for a flight exception, you must petition for it by January. Only specific criteria fit our standards for a reasonable flight exception, including international students returning to their home country or an overseas internship. As our program has 300+ students, we simply cannot make a different flight plan for each student.
Q: What is debriefing?
A: Debriefing is an integral part of the ORU Missions experience. We believe debriefing is essential for students to be equipped with practical tools and strategies to deal with “reentry” or “reverse cultural shock.” We require all of our ORU Missions students to engage in the totality of debriefing.
The day after all the teams return, we gather for a time to hear about everyone’s trip, share testimonies, and say goodbyes. It’s essential to share what the Lord has done, process the challenges the team faced, and have one last meal together. Once debriefing includes, you are released for the summer and are fully responsible for yourself, your belongings, and returning to your home city.