Frequently Asked Questions About Mission to the U.S.A.

What will an ecumenical mission partner do in our congregation?

Your mission partner could do a variety of things while staying with your congregation. Functioning as an adjunct member of your church staff, he or she may be asked to preach, teach, assist with hospital calls, attend meetings and visit with members of the congregation. The mission partner’s purpose is to share his or her story of faith with the congregation and to be a “missionary,” bringing the gospel to the host congregation from the perspective of someone from another part of the world.

Your ecumenical mission partner may be asked to speak to community groups such as the Rotary Club, school groups, and may visit other local churches. You are encouraged to take your mission partner to presbytery meetings and other church-wide events. Much of what he or she does will be determined ahead of time after consultation with the pastor and the lay contact person from the congregation. It is also important to include the mission partner in decisions about what he or she would like to do and allow some flexibility for rest and preparation time.

What does our congregation need to do to host an ecumenical mission partner?

• Many congregations form a small committee to assist with planning the visit so that no one person is burdened by the project.
• The congregation must arrange for housing. Mission partners live with members of the congregation during their six-week stay. Generally, we suggest that no more than two families serve as hosts.
• The church must also provide office space that may include access to a phone, office equipment and a computer.
• The pastor and a member of the committee should work together to plan the mission partner’s schedule.
• Transportation must be provided for all activities. If the mission partner has an international driver’s license and insurance coverage and the church has a car available, he or she may drive in the U.S. This is a rare occurrence. Usually, members of the host congregation provide all transportation.
• In addition to the initial support for airfare ($250 to $1000, depending on church’s ability to pay), a host congregation must also provide a gift of $100 cash for each week the mission partner is with them.
• Other activities such as receptions and worship services should be planned ahead and advertised throughout the congregation, synod, presbytery and local community before the mission partner’s arrival.
• We advise each host congregation to have study sessions about their guest’s country and denomination prior to arrival.

How much will it cost for our congregation to participate in the program?

To participate in the program, your congregation is asked to contribute between $250 and $1000 toward the cost of airfare to and from the U.S. Every congregation must gift their mission partner with $100 a week over the six-week period to cover personal expenses. We also ask that the church allow the mission partner to place long distance calls home at least twice during the visit. Access to email or a fax machine is especially helpful. Payment of airfare costs is not expected until a mission partner has been assigned to your congregation and travel has been confirmed.

Will the ecumenical mission partner be a clergyperson or layperson?

Mission partners can be either pastors or laypersons, male or female. They will be Christians, affiliated with an ecumenical partner denomination that has an official relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Will the mission partner have health insurance coverage during his or her visit?

Yes, the Office of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) provides health insurance coverage in the unlikely event that your mission partner needs emergency medical care. It does not cover dental work or preexisting conditions.

Will the ecumenical mission partner speak English?

Yes! Every mission partner is expected to speak English and have good writing skills in English. On occasion we have had guests with poor English skills, but that is not the rule. However, your congregation may have trouble understanding a strong accent and the mission partner may not always understand our slang or idioms. Host congregations should be sensitive to this, especially at the beginning of the visit. One previous mission partner suggested having a member of the congregation serve as an English tutor, if necessary.

Which countries will the ecumenical mission partners come from?

We are anticipating that in 2008 the partners will come from countries in the South Pacific Islands.

When will the Mission to the USA program take place?

The date of the 2008 program is Oct. 1 through Nov. 12, 2008.

When will the ecumenical mission partners arrive?

The mission partners will arrive at the Detroit airport a day or two before the program begins. A pastor from your congregation and at least one layperson will be asked to meet your mission partner near the Detroit airport for a one-day orientation session prior to being taken to your community. Before departing six weeks later, your mission partner, along with the pastor and a layperson, will attend a debriefing meeting in the Detroit area. Attendance at orientation and debriefing is critical to the success of the program and is not optional. A pastor from the congregation MUST attend.

Is every congregation that applies to the program guaranteed a mission partner?

Depending upon how many churches apply it may be that not every church will have an opportunity to host this year. Congregations that applied last year and did not receive a mission partner and those that have not previously hosted are generally given first priority. Every attempt is made to accept churches of all sizes and from all parts of the Synod. Because of the expense of air travel from the south Pacific, the Synod has asked for only eight mission partners this year. It is difficult for poor people to obtain visas to enter the U.S. In recent years that has affected the number of mission partners who get to come. The Mission to the U.S.A. Committee prayerfully strives to match mission partners and congregations in ways that will benefit all participants.

Can we join with another congregation to host an associate?

We prefer that congregations plan to host a mission partner by themselves so that the experience will be a rich one, allowing for plenty of interaction with the partner. However, two smaller congregations may consider co-hosting. In that case, the congregations should complete a joint application. We do not recommend that more than two congregations share one mission partner.

Will we be obligated to provide mission support to the mission partner’s home church?

Definitely not! While some congregations form a lasting partnership with their ecumenical mission partner, this is not the purpose of the program. The partner is to be a part of your congregation for six weeks and may not raise funds during the stay. He or she is to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to you! Congregations that choose to form a partnership or offer financial support once the program has ended are encouraged to use parameters set up by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

When will we know if we will have an ecumenical mission partner assigned to us?

You must apply before April 1, 2008. The Mission to the U.S.A. Program Committee will meet after that date. If we have received the personal information forms from the mission partners by that time, the congregations that have applied will be notified shortly thereafter, no later than mid-May. You may call or email the coordinator if you haven’t heard anything by June 1. Final assurance that you have a mission partner takes place when his or her visa is secured.