We at Royal Servants are excited that you signed up for a team this summer!And while we may be happy you’re going on a mission trip, we know someone who isn’t. That someone is the enemy (you know…Satan). He’s going to try hard to cause you to second guess your decision!
What do I mean? Each year there are students who feel God directing them to be on a team, but when they encounter obstacles they begin question their decision. They start asking, "Is the Lord closing the door?" or “Maybe it’s not His will that I go.
That’s just where Satan wants you to be. The enemy knows people’s tendency to throw in the towel when things don’t go according to plan or are faced with difficulties. And that's the exact reason the enemy uses them so often…because they work! Obstacles and problems are amazingly effective at neutralizing God’s people. Even the apostle Peter fell prey to this strategy.
He was so excited at seeing Jesus strolling towards them on the lake one night that, in a fit of enthusiasm, he called out, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you.” “Yes, come.” Jesus said. So Peter jumped over the side of the boat and he was doing just fine until he started to look around. In Matthew 14:30 it says, “But when Peter saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and started focusing on the obstacles (the wind and the waves). At that point he started to face his reality (walking on the lake), and he became scared. Notice that Peter’s fear and doubt came AFTER Jesus called for Peter to come, and AFTER he took his eyes off of Jesus. Jesus wasn’t sympathetic. He didn’t say, “I understand your doubt. It’s totally justified seeing that you were doing something impossible.” Just the contrary, Jesus rebuked Peter for his lack of faith.
Should obstacles and/or difficulties cause you to question your decision to go on a mission trip this summer? I don’t think so. Rather than it being the Lord closing a door, you should look at things like difficulty in raising support, doubt in your ability, or even your fear as an opportunity to exercise your faith! This is a chance to understand that when Jesus told you to go, He meant it.
Keep going! Press on! And when it seems impossible, trust Him!
What are some practical things that may help you fight your way through these waves of doubt? First, know why you want to go and be able to articulate God's leading to those around you. Be organized. Send out emails to potential supporters and then CALL THEM!
You do your part, and I fully believe the Lord will do His.
Booking Domestic Travel
We will be sending out all of the travel forms and Updated Mission Trip Schedule soon. You will be able to book your domestic travel when you receive those documents. You will receive them via email and in the mail.
Forms Due
In your Prep Packet folder, there is a brightly colored sheet called the "Reference Sheet." This sheet briefly explains how each form should be filled out and sent in. Also, on the reverse side it lists important dates that things are due. If I were you, I'd add all those things to my calendar, take a pic of it with my phone, and stick on the fridge. Each form has its due date listed on the side. Most forms are due mid-May, but some, like the Health History Form, will be due sooner. To get copies of any of the forms you can download from our website.
Managed Missions
Managedmissions.com is the website you will use to track your support. This is not an automated process, so there will be a few days delay between when we receive a donation and when it appears in your account. The invite to this website was sent to the main email you gave us on your registration (check your spam folder if you didn't see it). Let me know if you need that resent or if you'd like the email changed (only 1 email per person's account). Please don't use this site to make changes to your personal information as it does not alert us to those changes. Email us instead.
Mission Trip International Airfare Amounts & Deadlines
In your prep packet we let you know that we are required to start booking international tickets the beginning of May. Listed below are the actual dates we will be booking each trip. That means each participant must have enough money in her or his account to cover that cost on that day. If you have enough funds in your account we will automatically book your ticket. However, if you don’t have the funds in your Royal Servants account, you may also give us a credit card to cover the cost.
We won’t charge your credit card—really! We will simply put a hold for that amount and then remove the hold when your account has enough funds to cover the ticket. We would only charge the card if you dropped from the program and didn't have enough in your account to cover what we paid for the ticket. Reign Ministries is only able to process holds for Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards (debit cards may be used, but there has to be enough funds in the account and the hold will make those funds inaccessible until released). You can find more information on this under "Financial Deadlines" in Preparation Packet booklet.
If you want us to purchase your ticket by putting a hold on a credit card, you will have to call the Reign Ministries’ office before the booking deadline. You are not able to use our online giving to place a hold. You can make a tax-deductible donation for your ticket online, but the amount is immediately charged. You can reach Margaret at 402-541-9849 or call our office 763-535-9555 ext. 721 for the Royal Servants Department. We are in the office weekdays between 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT.
Please note: Donations made online via ACH giving (via your checking account) after April 25 may not clear the bank in time to count towards the airfare. Therefore this online giving feature will not be available April 26 - May 11.
Trip - Airfare - Cost - Booking Deadline
Ireland $1200 May 9th
Costa Rica $900 May 10th
Nepal $1500 May 10th
Morocco $1100 May 11th
Nehemiah $2000 May 11th
TIP: If your registration has been accepted, be sure to read through all of the materials sent to you. There is some pretty important info in that packet, make sure you don’t miss a thing! If you haven’t submitted your registration, don’t worry, you still got time! Go hit submit today! If you have any questions about Royal Servants or the registration process, please email us at mandrus@reignministries.org.