Serve Globally

We have created some videos to help you understand how to navigate the system and best practices for families.

• Watch a video that walks you through the new platform here
• If you are traveling as a family, please watch a short video that explains the best way to set up accounts.
• Having trouble linking family accounts, watch this video

How to go on a GO Trip Each GO trip follows a simple process designed to help you prepare well, serve faithfully, and grow as a disciple of Jesus.

1. Apply – Pray about where God is leading you to serve and complete your application at https://hcbc.servicereef.com/.

2. Interview – International and high school student trips include a 30-minute interview before team acceptance.

3. Team Acceptance – Once accepted, you’ll receive your team placement email and submit a 10% trip deposit to confirm your spot.

4. Prepare – Attend support-raising training or review the provided materials, send your support letters, and participate in all required team trainings.

5. Go – Serve alongside your team and our partners as you join what God is doing around the world.

6. Debrief – fter returning, attend your final team meeting to reflect on what God did and consider your next steps. Send a thank-you note and trip update to your prayer and financial supporters.

What is the purpose of GO Trips?

To make disciples of all nations so God may receive worship from every corner of His creation. In Revelation 7:9 we see that God has already purchased people from every tribe, people, and language. We want to be active participants in His plan to redeem those people by inviting them into the Kingdom of God. We go out of obedience to God – partnering with long-term efforts to verbally proclaim and demonstrate Jesus’ life – because we want to see Him glorified among all creation.

When should I apply?

Today! Trips have a maximum capacity, and trips that have more applications than capacity will have a waitlist. Visit Service Reef to apply.

How do I submit a complete application?

Go online to Service Reef and decide on the trip you would like to go on. Fill out the application online for that trip.

Can I pay my deposit to hold my place in line before completing an application?

No. You must follow all the steps above for your application to be considered complete.

What should I do if I miss the application deadline?

We encourage you to apply next year. If you want to participate in something sooner, we may be able to plug you in with one of our local partner ministries. *Note: Team Leaders cannot extend application deadlines.

Why could I be redirected to another trip?

The Global Outreach Team may redirect an applicant to another trip. There could be a variety of reasons for this, including, but not limited to, our missionary partners requesting a team predominantly of one gender, the applicant being better suited for other ministry activities, another trip being a better fit for spiritual formation, or the trip being already full. For this reason, be sure to list your 2nd and 3rd choice trips in your application!

What am I committing to as a Mission Trip Team Member?

Applicants who are accepted as a short-term mission team member must fully agree to:

• Attend all team meetings prior to departure, during the trip, and after our return, with the understanding that missing more than one Team Training is grounds for removal from the team./li>
• Complete all homework and requirements between team meetings, such as forms, support-raising obligations, etc., making every effort to meet deadlines.
• Submit to the leadership and authority of Hill Country Bible Church and my Team Leader, promising to follow instructions and abide by my Team Leader’s decisions.
• Adopt the attitude of Jesus Christ when interacting with my fellow team members, Team Leader, field hosts, and those I meet during the trip, abstaining from making derogatory or offensive comments or instigating arguments regarding people, politics, sports, religion, race, or traditions.
• Embrace the posture of a humble learner in order to honor the missionaries, organization, and people group we are serving, respecting and following all instructions given concerning attire, eating/drinking, and other cultural traditions.
• Operate in selflessness and servant-heartedness, understanding my role is to further the cause of Christ and the long-term ministry goals of our field hosts.
• Remain flexible and supportive even through difficult travel and unexpected schedule changes during the trip.
• Respond gently to an attitude or behavioral correction on the trip when approached.
• Return home at my own expense should my conduct become so unsatisfactory that it jeopardizes the success of the mission trip

What happens after I apply?

Applying does not necessarily mean you are part of the team. Applications will be evaluated by the GO Team and Trip Leader. You will be notified whether or not you have been accepted onto a team within 2 weeks of the trip application deadline. If you apply for an international trip, you must complete a 30-minute interview before your application is considered complete. After being accepted onto a team, you must attend all mandatory Team Trainings in order to prepare for the trip as a team.

What are Team Trainings, and are they mandatory?

Yes, each team has at least four mandatory Trip Trainings before going. Each participant is expected to fully participate in all trainings to adequately prepare for ministry, get to know their team, and gather all necessary trip details. These trainings are required and must be prioritized over other activities, even if a participant has previously served on a GO Trip.

If your schedule won't allow you to participate in all Team trainings, we encourage you to wait until next season to apply. If you don't attend all trainings, you may be removed from the team.

When are my pre-trip trainings?

You will receive Team Training dates and times once you are officially accepted onto a team. All trainings are mandatory to participate in the trip.

Should parents of students come to Team Trainings?

Parents are not required to stay for trainings. We suggest parents of students drop off their child(ren) at the first training to meet the team leaders. Parents are normally invited to the last training to get travel details. Team leaders will let you know more information about the date/time. *Note: If a parent attends a training, it is required that the student also be present. Parents cannot attend the trainings on behalf of their child.

What do I do if I need to miss a training?

After being accepted onto a GO Team, you will receive all your Team Training dates. If you see that there already exists a scheduling conflict, please let your Team Leader know and [email protected] as soon as you can.

If you need to miss a training for an unforeseen situation, please contact your Team Leader and email [email protected] immediately to let them know the reason for your absence. If you fail to communicate your absence to both your Team Leader and Global Outreach, it will be considered unexcused. Missing team training is grounds for removal from the team. Please note that attendance for all trainings is mandatory. We ask you only to miss a training because of an emergency. Examples are illness or a pre-existing scheduling conflict.

If you do miss a training, it is your responsibility to connect with the team leader and set up a time to go over what you missed.

Support-raising is the process of inviting people in your network – friends, family, and the Church – to partner with you in advancing God’s work through prayer and finances.

What are the fundraising expectations?

• Each team member must submit a personal 10% deposit (i.e. $200 for a $2,000 trip) within 7 days of being accepted onto a team (and before their first Team Training). An applicant is not considered a Team Member until they have paid their 10% deposit.
• The team member will complete the fundraising training and begin writing their support letter.
• We suggest team members send out 1 letter for every $25 of the trip cost (for example, 80 letters for a $2,000 trip).
• Team members can bring their hard copy support letters – addressed, sealed, and ready to be mailed – to the first Team Training. Global pays for postage for letters received at the first team training. After this date, goers are responsible for mailing their own letters.
• Every team member is expected to make follow-up phone calls to those they sent letters to throughout the support-raising process. A follow-up template is provided.
• If a participant is significantly behind by the 50% support deadline, they may be removed from the trip.
• If a participant chooses to self-fund, we do ask that you send out prayer letters following our prayer letter template.

Note: All personal investments and financial support are legally non-refundable.

What happens if I raise more funds than the total cost of my trip?

If a participant raises more funds than their trip cost, those funds will be used by Global Outreach to cover team shortages. Extra funds may not be held, carried over to a future trip, or reimbursed.

What happens to my funds if I drop out of the trip?

If you drop off a trip, your raised support will automatically transfer to the team to cover your incurred expenses up to that point. Funds may not be held, carried over to a future trip, or reimbursed. Plus, you will be responsible for all trip expenses you have incurred up to that point.

What does the raised fund cover?

Your trip cost includes transportation costs for the duration of the trip, hotel/housing costs, all food, including travel day, partner fees, travel insurance, and activity supplies.

Your trip cost does not include, but is not limited to, personal expenses, stamps, passports, immunizations, medications, or personal supplies.

Who arranges travel logistics?

All trip transportation is arranged by the Global Outreach Office.

What if I have a vacation planned around the same time as my trip? May I travel to/from the trip location to my vacation location?

No. All participants must travel to/from the trip location with their team. Travel continuations are not possible, as they interfere with group travel rates and complicate travel logistics, thus increasing the cost for the whole team. Travel changes are also an extra strain on leaders and distracting for other goers. *Note: Team Leaders cannot change travel continuation policies.

We have a frequent flyer program. Can we use those miles to cover my or my child’s ticket?

No. Team tickets are reserved through a partner travel agency in order to receive the most discounted rate. We are unable to break the contract in order to purchase individual tickets with various airlines.

How are visas handled for international trips?

Only a few of our trips require travel visas. In those cases, the participant will receive specific visa instructions during team trainings. Raised funds cover visa costs.

Where will we be staying?

Accommodations all depend on the trip. Some teams need to bring personal air mattresses as they will be sleeping on the floor of a church. Other teams may stay with missionaries or in hostels/ hotels. You will get more details during your team trainings.

What immunizations should I get?

Look up your trip destination on www.cdc.gov to get the most up-to-date recommendations. Team funds will not cover any costs and need to be covered by the goer.