Mission Trip FAQ’s
authored by Sharon
Acts 29 Fellowship
For general Fellowship information see our website: www.acts-29.org
Q. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT ABOUT MISSION TRIPS?
A. SHARON BUTTRY, MINISTER OF MISSIONS, ACTS 29 FELLOWSHIP
12101 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck, MI 48212
WORK NUMBER: (313) 365-2287 CELL PHONE NUMBER: (586) 943-7259
Q. WHAT WILL WE BE DOING ON OUR MISSION TRIP?
A. OUR PHILOSOPHY….. Our philosophy of mission team service is that you are coming to add to the ministry we do daily. We don’t make up special projects for you, we simply ask that you come and walk alongside us, keeping in step with the Spirit as we do. Our ministry is all about meeting critical community needs and outreach to cultivate new ministry soil.
So you might find us doing plumbing, electrical work, painting, construction, helping people move, tutoring in public schools, or year round adventure camping. Camping ministry includes technical prep and cooking ahead of time, and we also invite cooks and counselors to come camping with us. You will definitely be a part of the many regular program activities of Acts 29, including youth outreach for all ages, Bible Quizzing, Sunday morning worship, and adult ministry, and upkeep and maintenance of our large ministry facility.
During the school year, you may also assist with the teaching of English as a second language to the immigrant groups who make up the incredible diversity of our city (12 cultures, 26 languages and dialects). We also conduct regular outreach activities such as plays and dramas, dinners, and events to help us meet unbelievers. We simply ask you to come and help us ‘hug’ the city with the arms of Jesus.
AXIS, our home repair ministry has a long list of “Mercy Projects.” These are home repairs for persons who cannot afford materials or labor, or both. If your group can raise $300 – $2,000 in addition to the daily rate per person for the trip, we then have the ability to put your team to work on one of the “Mercy Projects.” Please contact Sharon to get project ideas and estimates that fit your team’s purpose.
Q. WHAT DOES IT COST TO BRING A TEAM TO ACTS 29 FELLOWSHIP FOR A MISSION TRIP?
SHORT ANSWER: $35 – $ 45 per day per person….
LONG ANSWER… this is how it breaks down per night:
Breakfast $5
Lunch $5
Evening Meal $5 eat in / $15 dine out
Housing per night $20 (this means we don’t charge for the day you leave us)
1) MEALS: Calculate your meals based on how many meals you dine in at Acts 29 and how many you choose to dine out. You can save meal costs by buying and bringing your own groceries, or send your payment and list ahead of time and we will shop for you! We have Acts 29 members who can shop and cook for you, or you can cook for yourselves. We have:
NO OVEN a roaster a microwave a commercial fridge
A cooktop stove a freezer 2 ten gallon drink thermos with spouts coffee maker
A Word about EVENING MEALS
Mission Teams have a variety of expectations and resources for evening meals, so you do have the option of making this a separate part of the financial arrangements. Teams can save money in this area by cooking their own dinners, eating out less. Acts 29 congregation members are also willing to cook for you for some meals to make it less work for you taking care of your team. We are flexible J
If we know how many nights you want to eat out we can make the arrangements at local ethnic restaurants. Restaurant expense averages $15 person per meal, which includes gratuity and Acts 29 staff who will come and have table fellowship with your group. We prefer that you pay cash for restaurant meals to the staff coordinator in advance, as many restaurants appreciate pre-ordering and pre-payment for large groups
2) HOUSING $20 per night per person
LARGE GROUP HOUSING OPTON (10 or more persons)
Stay at Acts 29 Fellowship, sleeping in bunks or on mats/sleeping bags in carpeted classroom. We have 3 showers on site.
SMALL GROUP or COUPLES HOUSING OPTION: (10 or fewer persons)
For those in need of special accommodations, you may stay in ACTS 29 FAMILY HOMES in Hamtramck.
Of course, you are welcome to make your arrangements to stay in local hotels. We recommend you stay in Dearborn, or north of Hamtramck in the Sterling Heights or north Warren area.
Q. WHAT IF WE CAN”T AFFORD THE $35- 45 per day rate?
A. We don’t want lack of funds to keep you from coming to Acts 29….on occasion we have allowed groups to come for as little as $25 per day, however, you will be aware that at any less, we are actually subsidizing your visit. You will also find if you contact other ministries, that our daily rate is very low because your housing costs are based on staying in our homes and on “dormitory” rather than hotel prices. If you can afford more than $45 per day, we always appreciate your support for our ministry general fund expense!
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Q. CAN I VISIT ACTS 29 IN PREPARATION FOR A MISSION TRIP TO COME IN THE FUTURE?
A. Absolutely, you are most welcome to come for a 1/2 day visit or longer. You will need to spend at least 4 hours with us to get the total picture (time to chat, a tour of the city, meeting staff missionaries, etc.). Of course, you are welcome to stay longer. If you would like to visit while another mission team is here, we can arrange that.
Our philosophy of mission teams is that you are coming to add to the ministry we do daily. We don’t make up special projects for you, we simply ask that you come and walk alongside us, keeping in step with the Spirit as we do. Our ministry is all about meeting critical community needs. So you might find us doing plumbing, electrical work, painting, construction, helping people move, helping tutor in schools. You will definitely be a part of the many regular program activities of Acts 29, including youth outreach for all ages, Sunday morning worship, adult ministry. During the school year you may also assist with the teaching of English as a second language to the immigrant groups who make up the incredible diversity of our city (12 cultures, 27 languages and dialects).
Q. WHAT DATES ARE AVAILABLE?
A. It is best to just call or email Sharon Buttry at (586) 943-7259 or sharon_buttry@yahoo.com
Keep in mind the 16th of every month is a 24 hour period of prayer and fasting. We begin at 8 PM the night of the 15th and continue through early evening on the 16th. We ‘fast’ from food and work that day and spend the day seeking the Lord. You are welcome to join us in prayer on that day.
Q. WHAT IS THE ROLE of ACTS 29 in TRAINING AND DEVOTIONAL LIFE for OUR TEAM?
A. We would enjoy providing any training or devotional resources to you that you may request. We can lead a morning devotional for your team, by our various ministry leaders. Many teams like to do their own night time debrief and devotional time. We can also provide training modules in urban ministry, multi-cultural ministry, and community transformation ministry. Obviously, these need to be requested in advance and planned as part of your itinerary.
Q. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES are THERE FOR OUR TEAM TO GET TO KNOW THE CITY?
A. At your request, we can arrange a visit to a mosque, the Zen Buddhist center, a Hindu temple, and a walking or driving tour of Hamtrmack. We can also visit down town Detroit and the Heidelberg Art Project, just south of Hamtramck. Just let us know what interests you and we will work it into your team’s schedule. A visit to Canada, also south of Detroit requires a passport for each visitor.
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Q. WHAT ITEMS DOES ACTS 29 NEED IF WE WANT TO MAKE A COLLECTION OF ITEMS?
A. We appreciate you asking about this:
Our most urgent need is funds to do “MERCY MINISTRY” construction projects. These are home repairs for elderly , disabled or impoverished families who have no means to repair their roofs, porches, or windows. MERCY MINISTRY PROJECTS require between $300 and $2,000 to complete. If your church or group can raise the funds in advance, we can arrange to have your team work on a home in our community.
THINGS YOU CAN COLLECT FOR ACTS 29
* Paper goods such as plates, bowls, drink cups, napkins, and plastic ware are great items to collect for your team’s visit and also for ministry use
* Cold drink mixes (powdered) such as koolaid, lemonade
* Hot chocolate packets
*Oatmeal and cereal for camping and mission teams
* Any food items for the evening meals you plan to cook on site (spaghetti seems to be popular and easy)
* Snack food items such as granola bars (to give workers a snack at a break time as we don’t usually provide those)
*Bottled water or drinks
Thank you for your inquiry. Check our website for weekly updates. Please contact us if you need more information:
SHARON BUTTRY, MINISTER OF MISSIONS, ACTS 29 FELLOWSHIP
12101 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck, MI 48212
WORK NUMBER: (313) 365-2287 CELL PHONE NUMBER: (586) 943-7259
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