Watch Behind The Scenes with Pastor Darrell Townsend
We are called to cross racial and cultural boundaries to reach the world for Christ. Zion Church partners with indigenous pastors by coming and working alongside local churches around the world. We share the gospel of Jesus Christ, perform leadership training, and set up medical clinics including medical and eye examinations on every mission trip. We also provide dental education, food distribution, build and renovate safe dwellings for community members, and engage in learning activities for children. We demonstrate that love locally and globally while preaching, training, serving, and sharing our resources.
Zion Church’s Outreach Mission Statement
Zion Churches' outreach mission strives to create greater good by positively impacting individuals, families, communities, and policies that transform lives. Our mission is accomplished through direct service projects, programs, and support that serve identified needs including food support; mortgage and rental assistance; housing; utility support; counseling through ministry and other support services; and health, recreational, and educational support. Zion meets people and organizations where they are, and works to ensure that the resources invested and entrusted to us are managed with the highest level of stewardship to serve our local, national, and global communities.
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ZION'S MISSION Q&As
What is the age requirement for going on a mission trip?
Currently, applicants for our adult teams must be at least 18 years of age, however, exceptions have been made. Younger children must be accompanied by a parent. That parent must understand that they are expected to serve as a "team member" and not a "chaperone."
What are the accommodations like?
While accommodations will vary based on the trip, all lodging will be comfortable.
What immunizations and medications are required?
A tetanus shot, malaria, and diarrhea medication is recommended for travel to all locations. To obtain specific requirement and/or recommendation please refer to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for country specific information www.cdc.gov.
Haiti - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/haiti?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001
Dominican Republic - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/dominican-republic
Kenya - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
What about my eyewear and prescriptions?
If you have glasses or contact lenses, bring along an extra pair if you can. If you have prescription medication make sure to carry them in correctly labeled containers so that it is not mistaken for illegal drugs.
How can I raise my funds?
Team members will craft fundraising profile pages in our ManagedMissions System which you will share with your friends and family. You will receive an email inviting you to complete your profile to join the fundraising team. After setting up your account, you will be able to customize your page. This method of fundraising has proved to be very effective in helping team members reach their goal. Specific instructions and guidelines will be provided.
Am I allowed to have fundraisers to raise the money I need?
Yes, as a team member you are allowed to host separate fundraisers. There are strict guidelines that must be followed and all ideas/campaigns must be approved by the Outreach and Missions Department. Requests must be received at least 30 days prior to any event. Violating this policy could result in your being discharged from the team.
Can I use my tithes to cover the cost of my mission trip?
No. Zion designates 10% of all funds that come in through tithes and offerings towards outreach and missions, so your tithe is heavily relied on. Your giving allows us to help meet the needs of our community through ongoing support and is also used for the day-to-day operations of the church. For this reason, it is important that you not redirect your tithes. The Word tells us that the tithe belongs to God. He instructs us to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. Any contribution you make towards your mission trip should be above and beyond your tithes.
Are the funds I contribute towards my mission trip tax deductible?
Yes. All funds contributed by you or made payable to Zion Church on your behalf by your donors is tax deductible.
What happens if I don't raise all of my funds?
Any balance owed must be paid 30 days before departure.
What if I raise more funds than I need?
Excess funds cannot be refunded. Any excess funds will be allocated to assist with projects.
When is the final payment?
All funds must be turned in no later than 30 days before departure.
What happens if I need to drop out?
Unfortunately, if you need to withdraw after your ticket and lodging have been secured all funds credited to your account will be used to assist us in covering those costs. Any excess would be used towards projects.
Can I accept checks? Who should they be made payable to?
Yes, you can accept checks. Checks should be made payable to Zion Church and your name and trip i.e., JaneSmith DR18 must be noted in the memo section. You will be able to log it to your ManagedMissions account. After turning it in it will be approved and the system will post to your account. If they choose to mail in their donation it should be sent to the following address:
ZION CHURCH
8829 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt MD 20770
ATTN: OUTREACH & MISSIONS
We recommend that your donors use ManagedMissions.com where they can make secure payments using a credit card.
How should cash donations be handled?
Zion has a policy in place that prohibits all of our Pastors from handling money. For this reason, please do not attempt to turn funds into Pastor Darrell. You may deposit the funds in your personal account then post the amount to your fundraising account using your credit card.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY MISSION DONATIONS IN THE OFFERING BASKETS ON SUNDAY!
Can you go on more than one trip in a calendar year?
Yes, but approval is required for each trip and is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Do you have to be a member or attender of Zion to go on a mission trip?
No, you do not have to be a member or attender of Zion to serve on one of our mission teams.
Are passports and visas required? If so, how do we acquire them?
Yes, you will need a valid passport, and it cannot expire within six months from the date of your return. Example: If you are returning in May the expiration date for your passport must be after December. Contact the State Department to apply for or renew your current passport.
For Haiti & Dominican Republic visa applications are completed while in flight and are purchased upon arrival at your destination airport. Entry visa for Kenya must be secured before departure.
Can I use my frequent flyer miles?
No, frequent flyer miles cannot be used to purchase your airline ticket. However, we encourage you to apply for credit for the miles you have flown following your return.
I have family or friends in the area; can I stay longer or leave early and then join up with the team?
For liability and safety reasons, all team members are required to travel to and from the destination with the team. No deviations are allowed.
I have family or friends in the area; can I visit them during our free day?
No. While you would not be allowed to visit them they can, however, visit you during our down time as long as their visit does not interfere with any projects or program agenda. Pre-approval for this would be required.
What monies should we bring outside of the trip cost?
You will have an opportunity to purchase souvenirs to thank your donors for their support. We recommend that you not carry large amounts of cash - a credit or debit card would be more appropriate. The amount you choose to spend is completely up to you. However, we ask only that you be mindful of the purpose of our travel. This will be discussed in further detail during the briefings.
What you will be required to wear in Haiti & The Dominican Republic
For the Men
Long pants at all times
Short sleeve t-shirt (Zion)
Slacks, shirt, tie, & dress shoes for church services
No skinny jeans
Tennis shoes or boots (no sandals)
No shorts allowed
No sleeveless t-shirts
For the Women
Scrub bottoms
Short sleeve t-shirt (Zion)
No skinny jeans
No backless attire
Dress or skirt and top for church services with dress shoes (nothing sleeveless, low cut or tight & nothing above the knee)
Tennis shoes or boots (no sandals)
No shorts allowed
No sleeveless or low-cut tops at any time
Modest make-up
Post earrings – nothing dangling
One-piece bathing suit only
What you will be required to wear in Nairobi, Kenya
For the Men
Jeans
No skinny jeans
Short sleeve t-shirt (Zion)
Slacks, shirt, tie, & dress shoes for church services
Tennis shoes or boots (no sandals)
No shorts allowed
No sleeveless t-shirts
For the Women
Jeans
No skinny jeans
Short sleeve t-shirt (Zion)
Dress or skirt and top & dress shoes for church services (nothing sleeveless, low cut or tight & nothing above the knee)
Tennis shoes or boots (no sandals)
No shorts allowed
No sleeveless or low-cut tops at any time
Modest make-up
Sensible earrings
Do I need to take any food/snacks?
This is a personal preference; however, it is recommended that you bring various snacks.
Is it safe to eat the local food and water?
No. it is not safe to eat the local food or drink the water. We strongly recommend that you eat only the food prepared at the place where we are lodging and to only drink bottled water. Also, you should not use ice in any of your beverages.
Will my cell phone work? Will I have a phone or Internet access?
We ask that you refrain from using your cell in route to and from projects and while we are in the field. That said, your cellphone will not work unless you add international calling for the destination to your plan. This can be very expensive. Several phones will be purchased upon our arrival that will be available for the team members to use.
What do I need to take on this trip?
This will be discussed in detail during our briefings.
How safe are the trips and the places we'll be staying and working?
We take every precaution to ensure that our teams are safe. We reassess as needed, any additional measures that need to be taken to ensure the safety of the team.