We know it can be scary to send your student halfway across the world. Rest assured that as a branch of Oral Roberts University, ORU Missions would never attempt to send students into unsafe situations or with contacts that we didn't trust. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions below for answers on questions that you may have about your student's trip.
What if my student doesn't make it to their financial deadline?
Why doesn't ORU Missions pay for students' trips out of their budget?
What is covered in my student's trip cost?
Each student's trip cost covers their airfare, food, lodging, transportation, and travel insurance while on the field, as well as the training they receive before their trip. Expenses not covered in your student's trip cost are any expenses related to obtaining a passport and immunizations, souvenirs or other snacks that your student may wish to purchase while in country, and their health insurance, if purchasing short-term health insurance solely for their trip.
What if we don't have health insurance?
As a part of ORU's travel policy, each student traveling on an ORU Missions trip is required to have international health insurance (for international teams) or domestic health insurance (for domestic teams) that will cover them during Ropes and the entire time they are on the field. Students may purchase short-term health insurance for the duration of their trip.
Will my student receive any training?
All ORU Missions students take part in bi-monthly Missions Trainings, where they are trained and equipped on topics such as fundraising, ministry and evangelism, contact investment, sharing testimonies, spiritual warfare, cultural sensitivity, among others. will send a preparation manual filled with detailed information regarding your child's mission trip. Hands-on training will take place with the ministry partner once the team arrives at their destination.
How qualified are the leaders of my student's mission trip?
All Team Leaders and Assistant Team Leaders (TLs and ATLs) are thoroughly interviewed and prayerfully considered before being placed as leaders on a team. Throughout the year, leaders attend intensive training weekends, weekly training meetings, and Summer TLs even travel to Atlanta with us for a week for in-depth TL Training serving the refugee community there. All leaders are trained on how to handle different emergencies, working with host contacts, handling finances, and, above all, taking care of their team. Leaders are also instructed to notify the Director team immediately in the case of any emergency.
When should my student apply for a passport?
Your student should apply for a passport immediately after signing up for an ORU Missions trip. Passports are due at their team's first financial deadline. Passports can take up to 8 weeks to arrive. Costs related to obtaining a passport, including any expediting fees to expedite the processing of their passport, are the responsibility of the participant.
When will my student receive a packing list for their mission trip?
Students will receive a packing list, as well as emergency information for parents and guardians, at the last Missions Training before their trip in March (Spring Break trips) or April (Summer trips).
ORU Missions makes every effort to keep your student safe during their entire short term mission trip experience. We work with partners in the country who are familiar with the area we will be staying in and working in, and research to plan the safest places for your student to eat, stay, and work. In addition, we enroll all of our mission teams in the US Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which allows the U.S. Embassy to contact and provide assistance to the team in a national emergency.
All teams work with established missionary partners in the ORU Missions network. These are either missionaries or ministry leaders who have a history of service in the country and programs that fit with the mission and vision of ORU Missions.
Who do I call in case of emergency while my student is traveling?
All ORU Missions participants will be given a list with emergency contact information and phone numbers before their trip.
What if a nationwide emergency occurs while a team is on the field?
We enroll all of our mission teams in the US Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Enrolling in STEP allows the U.S. Embassy to contact and provide assistance to the team in an emergency, even evacuating the team safely to a US Consulate if necessary.
Will my student be able to call home and email while on the field?
Access to phone calls and email may be limited, and varies from location to location. As your student's trip approaches, more information will be given on phone and internet availability for that specific trip. In the event of an emergency, ORU Missions will contact the guardian(s) listed on a student's emergency information form immediately. So remember that no news is good news!
Register for our FAM Newsletter, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram to hear about updates in the program, testimonies, and events for students and alumni. To adopt a current missionary or support the FAM scholarship, check out our FAM page.
Still have questions? Try one of these resources which have been given to your student, or reach out to ORU Missions & Outreach.