Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is Light Messengers?
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A: Light Messengers is the collegiate missions program for the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Our focus is to provide missions opportunities for students through churches and Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) on more than 25 Tennessee college and university campuses. If you have specific questions regarding our BCM Missions program, please contact Stacy Murphree.
- Q: What are the requirements to serve as a BCM summer missionary?
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- Mature Christian student who is currently enrolled in a college or university in Tennessee (some positions require a specific number of semester hours to have been completed).
- Leader or active worker in Baptist Collegiate Ministry activities OR active member of a TBC church
- A heartfelt desire to share the gospel with the lost
- Positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to serve others with a humble spirit
- Definite interest in missions
- Spiritually, physically, and emotionally healthy
- Willingness to serve with little pay
- Available to attend the BCM Missions Weekend: February 20-21, 2009
- Available to attend the mandatory missions orientation weekend April 3-5, 2009
- Available to attend the mandatory BCM Missions Debriefing at the end of the summer on August 7-8, 2009
- Q: How does the Application and Interview process work?
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A: To apply for a BCM Missions position, go to the APPLY section of this website and follow the instructions to complete your application online. Applications must be submitted no later than February 6, 2009. Reference forms and a background check to complete along with your application can be downloaded at the APPLY section.
To be considered for a summer missions appointment, you will be required to attend the BCM Missions Weekend at the Tennessee Baptist Convention building in Brentwood on February 20-21, 2009
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- Q: Where does the BCM missions program receive its funding?
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A: The unique aspect of the BCM Missions program is that students are supporting other students to go on missions opportunities. The largest portion of funds comes from local campus BCMs who work all year to raise the necessary funds. This year Tennessee campuses will work together to raise funds to send more than 100 summer and short-term missionaries. Campus contributions, whether great or small, are very important to the ministries represented on this website.
BCM missions also provides funding assistance for campus SPOTS trips (Special Projects Other Than Summer). These trips are usually scheduled during campus fall and spring breaks. More than 800 students will participate in campus SPOTS trips.
- Q: What about money during the summer?
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A: All basic field cost expenses are provided by the BCM missions program and/or the local ministry you are serving with. This includes travel, food, lodging, supplemental insurance, and ministry materials. You will only need money for personal items and things like souvenirs, side trips, etc. Students serving on one-week mission opportunities should expect to pay for 2-3 meals during the week. The Innovator program is unique and different. Things such as meals and other field costs may be the responsbility of the student. Please check each position description.
- Q: What can I expect at the BCM Missions/Interview Weekend?
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A: You will be with students from colleges and universities across Tennessee who have a heart for missions. The weekend will include times for worship, group interaction, learning about missions, as well as group and individual interview times. Your individual interview will include a meeting with a campus minister and one or two students who have previously served in missions. The entire weekend will be a time where we can learn more about you and your desire to serve in missions.
- Q: When do I need to talk with my parents?
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A: The sooner the better. Don’t surprise them the day your application is due! If they have questions, they can feel free to contact your local campus minister or Stacy at the state BCM office at 1-800-558-2090.
- Q: What about my student cost for the trip?
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A: For all opportunities, students are required to raise only a portion of their funding. BCM Missions funds subsidizes each trip. For example, the total cost for sending a student to serve in South Asia is about $4000 . . . the student pays $1700 and BCM Missions provides for the remaining amount.
The student cost amount varies depending on location and length of service. These amounts are listed with each position description. Along with you, we trust that God will provide the money necessary to send students. We hope that you will share with your church, family, and friends about your desire to serve in missions. For help and ideas on raising support click here.
- Q: When will I be required to pay my student cost for the trip?
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A: All students serving outside of Tennessee are required to pay a $200 deposit by April 3rd. The total cost for each student is due by May 8th.
- Q: Will I be paid for serving as a BCM summer missionary?
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A: Yes with some positions! A $60 weekly stipend is provided for students serving a term of six weeks or longer in locations in Tennessee and within the United States.
Students serving in International locations will not receive the weekly stipend but will receive funds to provide for all field costs. Students serving as Innovators will only receive their pay by the local ministry and not the weekly stipend.
- What is an Innovator missionary?
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An Innovator is a summer missionary who works a full-time job (30-40 hours per week), is paid minimum wage for that job, and uses that as an avenue of ministry to build relationships with co-workers, tourists, internationals, and others in the community. This is an opportunity to be involved in workplace evangelism- to share Christ, serve in missions, but also have the opportunity to save some money during the summer. As an Innovator you most likely will be responsible for providing for your own meals. However, BCM missions will provide you with a one-time stipend at the beginning of the summer to provide for food for the first week on the job.