World Race FAQ Sheet:
What is the World Race?
The World Race is an 11 month missions and Discipleship experience to 11 different Countries. It was founded in 1989 By Seth Barnes, and since then has sent out over 110,000 missionaries both short and long term. You and 49 other people are sent out to live As Christ, fulfill the great commission in word and deed and impact and advance the Kingdom on earth.
What will you do on the Race?
This can look different from day to day and varies depending on the country. Racers will be living as Christ in all they do, as they serve. Some of the what you will do on the race include but are not limited to: taking care of orphans, evangelism, building relationships, preaching and teaching, sharing your testimony, construction work, leading VBS, sports ministry, working at a camp, working with refugees, serving prisoners, helping with Human trafficking, serving the poor, and letting the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you in any way to any person.
What countries are you going to?
As of now, our Route is Route 3 and includes: Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia All routes are subject to change at any point in time. This could be becasue of lack of ministry opportunity, safety issues, or there is a need elsewhere.
How much will it Cost?
As we prepare for the Race, we are expected to fundraise in order to participate in this life changing experience. The cost for our route is $18,100 (each person)
Why does it Cost so much?
This cost covers all of our travel expenses, food, lodging (when we are not sleeping in tents or hammocks), medical insurance, ministry projects, project searchlight.
How do we know the money is safe and goes where it needs to?
Adventures in Missions is a Non Profit organization and is treated as such by the government. They are under strict laws that ensure the money being received is going where it needs to go. Also, when you donate your gift of whatever amount, whether that was through the blog or you mailed in a check or money order, it goes directly to the organization and after being processed shows up in the account of the individual you are supporting. That individual you are supporting has no access to those funds at all. So, when you make a donation to the individual. it does show up, but that person has no direct access meaning that they cannot use your gift or support to gratify themselves or use it for any other means than the reason why you are giving in the first place. This helps keep the individual and the organization waling in integrity and honesty. The organization distributes the funds from the account as needed. In that way, the funds are safe, being used for what they need to be used for, and there is no scam at all.
Are the funds Tax Deductible?
Yes, donations are tax deductible, but also know that they are non refundable, so if the individual you are supporting for whatever reason does not launch or follow through with the program, there is no Reimbursement and the money raised goes into a general fund for the program to be used for ministry projects or anything else that is needed.
How can you make a donation?
Donations can be made in two ways. The first being through the Blog of the person you are wanting to support. This is actually the easiest and most efficient way to make a donation. Once you get to the blog site of the individual, click the orange donate button located at the top right hand of the blog. From there, it should be easy simple steps to follow. IF you donate this way, the money is processed faster and shows up in the account quicker. The second way to donate is by mailing a check or money order to Adventures in missions. Make sure you make the check or money order out to Adventures in missions. The person you are wanting to support should have a fundraising card which has a selection of different amounts you can choose from and if you would like to do a one time or monthly donation. It also has the individuals name on it, so mail that with the money order or check so that your gift can be distributed to the person that you are supporting. Checks and money orders take about 2 weeks to process so it is not as quick.
Is there a way we can stay in touch with the person we are supporting?
Yes, not only are you supporting financially, but you are joining another person on their journey with the Lord, and The Lord can minister to you through them. Adventeures knows this which is why each racer is given a blog. Blogging, is a form of ministry. It allows those supporting to be invested and involved in the work of the kingdom. You also get to see how your financial suppport is being used. All you have to do is subscribe or follow the person you are supporting on their blog site. Once you get to their blog, click the menu button on the top left hand side of the screen. Click the subscribe or follow me button. Type in your email address or phone number, depending on what they ask you, and that is it, you are done.
Will the you receive training?
Yes, each individual participating in the race is required to attend training camp. Training camp happens 6-8 weeks before launching or flying out to their first country to start the ministry. Training camp is 10 days long and is held at the Adventures in Missions base camp in Gainesville Georgia. Also, each racer participating in the Race will be given online missions training and resources such as journey markers before and during the race, as a means of helping process, prepare and equip the racer. THis training starts a week after training camp and may end once the individual or racer gets back to the states.
Is there multiple routes and launch dates?
Yes, There are three different lauch dates and times in a year. One in January, one in August, and one in October. Each launch time has four or five different routes to choose from. Each route is different and one route in particular (the Expediton Route), has a different set of requirements and a higher fundraising cost. This is because all of the countries in that route are part of the 10/40 window and can be considered more challenging or difficult. Becasue of this, people going on the race can defer or go at a later time.
What are the requirements to be accepted on the Race and route?
There are not really any major requirements to be accepted. You are not in competition with anyone, so it is not challenging. The only requirements to be accepted are the age. You must be 21-35 to apply and be accepted, and 23-35 for the expediton route. You fill out the application, pay the fee, have an over the phone interveiw, and then you are either accepted or you are not.
How many people are on a Route?
Each route is made up of a squad that has a max number of 50 people except the expedition route which has a max number of 30. Within that squad, at training camp, you will be placed in a team which consists of 7-14 people. The team you are in will be the team you will serve with within your squad. You will have a team change every four months, and each team has a team leader which will be another memeber on the sqaud that was elected by the staff to lead the team. Each sqaud could have from 4-7 teams. You will travel with all 50 people on your SQAUD to each country, but your TEAMS will be spead out throughout the country. Some teams will combine for the month, or it could just be your only team in that area in the country. There is an All sqaud month where everyone serves together, and there is a MANistry month when all the guys on your sqaud will serve together in a part of the country you are in. Each Squad is given a squad mentor, sqaud leaders, and squad coaches, as well as a logistic coordinator, and memebers on the sqaud within their teams can be given or assigned some sort of leadership positon. A sqaud leader is an alumni world racer who was been asked and accepted the opportunity to lead and invest in the squad as a whole. They typically are with the squad for the first 5 months of the race, then they leave. They also have to do additioanl fundraising. A squad mentor is someone who stays back in the states and invest in the squad as a whole and individually, speaking encouragement and exhortation. They also come to defrief each month after the month is over and before heading out to the next country. Squad coaches are a married couple who encourage you and disciple you. They follow you and read your blogs, encourage you and come to debriefs occasionally.
Can the Parents be involved?
Yes, adventures has an entire ministry built and established for parents specifically. Also, parents can go to the field and serve with their son or daughter for a week through the PVT or Parent Vision Trip. During training camp, everyone will be given information regarding this to relay to the parents. They will also be given an email to show the parents and have parents register for the trip. The PVT happens on month 7 for a week. The cost includes the money for your plane ticket to and from Georgia, plus you fund raise or save $775 which is subject to change possibly. An detailed email will be sent regarding the PVT.
Why go through Adventures and not another Organization?
Adventures in Missions is geared towards Christ and making him known in Word and Deed. They are also geared towards personal discipleship, living in real, raw Christ like community, and they seek the Lord in all they do. They help all involved live the life of Christ and live it with wholehearted surrender and abandon and faithfulness. They care very much about the individual as a whole. Because of this, if they see or notice anyone struggling in a certain area they will do all they can to help that person be the best they were made to be in Christ. This could also mean that they ask you to not continue on the race and take time to seek the Lord and or heal or deal with some of the things preventing you from living as Christ or you just need more time and growth in so that it does not affect the ministry and the community of believers you are living life and serving with. Adventures prepares you spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially, as best as they can before leaving, and of course doing this through Christ and relying on the Holy Spirit.
