“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8
You are likely headed into a busy season – second semester is half way over, and you’re in the thick of preparing and raising support for your Royal Servants summer. When our lives get hectic, our tendency is for our eyes to drift off our Savior and towards our circumstances. It sounds like this: What if I can’t raise all my support? What if I’m really not supposed to be going on this mission trip? What if … ?
Our circumstances can be unpredictable and change in an instant. But for those who trust in the Lord, our source of life and stability is independent from our circumstances, and we don’t need be fearful. Trusting in the Lord means we recognize we’re not in control and don’t always know “the plan,” and while that can be difficult, we do not need to be anxious. We can be confident in the Lord’s character and that He will take care of His people. Likewise, throughout your summer, you are going to have to place your trust – your confidence – in your teammates, in our ministry partners overseas, and in your leadership team without always knowing “the plan.” But, most importantly, you must choose to place your trust in God, the one who has a proven track record of taking care of His people.
Even though your moments and days may be chaotic and full of uncertainty – support raising, tackling the packing list, making your flight on time, sharing the Gospel with strangers in a foreign land, the list goes on – you can take courage in the fact that those who place their trust in the Lord have a constant source of strength and stability despite their circumstances.
Important Information
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 bright orange 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 when things are due. I suggest that you add all those things to your calendar, take a picture of it with your phone, and stick it on the fridge. Each form has its due date listed on the side. Most forms are due May 14th, but some, like the Health History Form, Medical Permissions Form and Passport Copy, will be due sooner. To get copies of any of the forms, you can download them from the Royal Servants forms page.
Mission Trip International Airfare Amounts & Deadlines
In your prep packet, we let you know that we are required to start booking international tickets at 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 your 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 call our office 763-535-9555 ext. 721 for the Royal Servants Department or ext. 718 for the Finance 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 23 may not clear the bank in time to count towards the airfare. Therefore, this online giving feature will not be available April 24 - May 14.
Trip - Airfare Cost - Booking Deadline:
Europe - $1840 - May 1
Kenya - $1600 - May 1
Nehemiah - $1420 - May 1
Nepal - $1780 - May 1
Ireland - $1250 - May 14
Peru - $1440 - May 14
Spain - $1200 - May 14
Biographical Questionnaire
If you haven't already completed your Biographical Questionnaire, please do that as soon as possible.
Medical Information
In your Prep Packet you will find a copy of the , which contains important information regarding health and medication requirements for this summer. Also, give the “Health and Safety” section in your Prep Packet a read! As the summer comes closer, our staff will be reviewing your health forms and may email you for some follow up information.
Check out the 'Things to Ask your Doctor' on the Medical Information Sheet as you prepare for your appointment, and be sure to bring your Vaccination Form for reference and your Physician Form for your physician to fill out and sign.
If you have specific questions about:
- Filling out your forms - email Linda MacDonell at lmacdonell@reignministries.org
- Dietary restrictions and concerns - email Stacey Swanson at sswanson@reignministries.org
- Other medical questions and concerns - email Kaylee Hofsink at khofsink@reignministries.org
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 have time! Go hit submit today!
If you have any questions about Royal Servants or the registration process, please email us at lmacdonell@reignministries.org.