Why A Short-Term Team?

Our Short-Term Team’s purpose is to lead students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by serving one another.

The Story

Next Step Ministries in Sumpango, Guatemala

We have partnered with Next Step Ministries for nine years because of their incredible passion for reaching people for Christ. Next Step Ministries is committed to providing a place where short-term teams collide with long-term community development. Last year, we served in Sumpango and were blown away by the community, the church, and the local organizations we served alongside. It was absolutely amazing to see God work in and through the people in Sumpango.

Partnership is the key to sustainable missions. And nowhere is partnership greater than in Sumpango, Guatemala. Located about an hour from Guatemala City is the small town of Sumpango (40,000 people). Primarily a Mayan community, this town is full of vibrant people nestled in the middle of beautiful rolling hills. Sumpango is home to Next Step’s community partner, Betty Merida.

We met Betty in 2007 when first coming to Guatemala and reconnected years later in 2014 through God’s guiding hand. Betty is a local Guatemalan who felt God calling her to place her roots in Sumpango, a community that alongside its beauty, struggles with poverty, education, and a lack of hope. Betty moved to Sumpango in 2012, adopted a 4-year old son, and began to pour her life into her neighbors. She is determined to win this community over for Christ through the local Church. Betty has a vision for the Church to be a place of hope for Sumpango, which it has become. The pastor’s of the church in Sumpango also share in this vision and have a desire to make disciples. Betty has started an organization called Breaking Cycles, where people are being taught skills to break the economic, emotional, mental, and spiritual poverty cycles they may be bound by. As a part of this mission team, we get to join in with that story of breaking cycles.

What Are We Doing?

Next Step is excited to work alongside Betty and the Church to expand a local church building, serve at a local orphanage, build home additions for overcrowded families, and hit the streets for powerful home visits where your students will have the opportunity to pray and share faith with many Guatemalan families. Your team to Guatemala will give students a wide variety of construction and relational ministry opportunities, as you will serve and worship alongside many of our Guatemalan partners. Know you can be an integral part of what God is doing in this special community of Sumpango, as we seek to be the body of Christ sharing in our gifts and passions with one another.

Safety

Please know that safety is one of our biggest priorities. Next Step Ministries’ partnership is well established and respected in the community. Thankfully, because of our long-term commitment and involvement within the community we have developed many close relationships with the locals. The community is familiar with Next Step and we’ve worked hard to humbly earn their trust and respect. Because of these close friendships we are the first to know if something out of the ordinary comes up or is unsafe. The trip lodging facility will always be locked to ensure safety. We will be staying at the same hotel as last year—Hotel San Miguel in El Tejar, Guatemala—in Sumpango (you can look up the location on Google Maps). During the day, students will be serving at homes where Next Step has already visited the family and knows who they are. Students will not be out at night and will stay in groups with leaders. Furthermore, community members select these projects, so we can ensure they are safe places for us to be. This network of community friendships allows for Next Step to engage with the community in a way that is trusted and safe. All transportation will be done by those connected with Next Step.

Also, please realize this short-term team to Guatemala is anything but a vacation; that is not our goal and not our intent in any way.

Spiritual Development

• I commit to discipline myself and to put a priority on growing deeper in my walk with Christ during the preparation process and during the week itself.
• I will regularly engage in greater than 75% active participation in Sunday AM worship service & Sunday 9 AM Life Groups
  (Greater than 15 out of 21 weeks from February 9-June 28)
• I will regularly engage in greater than 75% active participation in Collide Sunday PM
  (Greater than 9 out of 12 meetings from February 9-May 17)
• I will fully engage in and attend ALL short-term team meetings (dates & times stated below) and growth opportunities (assignments)

Healthy Relationships

• I will uphold the standard of behavior my team and I discuss and decide is necessary.
• I will be willing & reflect the attitude of Christ at all times.
• I will be sensitive to the culture in my words, actions, and dress. I will refrain from any activity or behavior that might be a stumbling block to any team member (before, during, and after the week), our partnership ministry, and the people I am seeking to influence.
• I will refrain from a romantic relationship with another team member or a community member throughout the entire short-term team journey.
• I will develop an attitude of service and flexibility. I commit to serve the team, the team leader, the community, and the workers in the field. I will bring a spirit of flexibility to the project, assuming that plans often change.
• I will submit to the authority of the team leader. I realize I may be asked not to go or sent home by the team leader at my own expense if I do not adhere to the team agreement.
• I will prepare myself spiritually, emotionally, and socially for this opportunity. If I am not able to meet these requirements, I will meet with the Student Ministries Pastor to find an agreeable solution or I will remove myself from the short-term team. If there is inappropriate behavior, the leader has the right (discretion), for the best of the group, to remove the individual from the short-term team. I (the student) realize I will still be responsible for the entire amount unless notified before the purchasing of airline tickets.

Included in Cost:

• Next Step Ministries Organization
  Staffing, Lodging, All Meals, In-Country Expenses, Supplies
• Airfare
  If airfare is cheaper, the cost per person will decrease accordingly
• Travel Expenses
  Transportation to-and-from Airport, Hotel, All Meals, etc.
• Group T-Shirt, Other Miscellaneous Expenses

Not Included in Cost:

• Passport Book ~$145
  (Passport expiration date must not expire before 12/2020)
• Souvenirs, etc.
  (our purpose is not to be tourists)
• Pit-Stop Snacks
  (snacks at a gas station or non-mealtime food at the airport)
• Shots or Vaccines
  The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) says you should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel. Follow your doctor’s orders and visit your doctor (ideally, 4-6 weeks) before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. This topic will be discussed at our info meeting on February 9.

Team Participant Form: