That little booklet packs a punch. It’s going to be very important to you and your ministry this summer because it contains the Gospel message in a clear format, making it easier for you to talk to others about salvation.

Sharing your faith can be scary! Maybe you decided to go on this mission trip because you wanted to learn how to tell others about Jesus or to grow in confidence of communicating the Gospel. But even if neither of those were your reason, I can guarantee that you will learn how to evangelize this summer.

And that booklet is your key.

We’ve asked you to have it memorized (to page 9) before arriving at Training Camp so that you have a jump start on sharing your faith. It is much easier to talk about something that you know extremely well! And what better way of knowing it is there than by memorizing it?

I went on my first Royal Servants mission trip over 10 years ago, and I still find myself using phrases from the Connecting with God that I memorized! The words have become so ingrained in my thinking that I don’t even mean to quote the booklet. I’m usually just speaking from my heart…that’s when communicating the Gospel becomes easiest!

Now, I understand that memorizing 9 pages while you’re also trying to finish classes and pass exams can be overwhelming; but don’t get discouraged! It will pay off. An easy way to tackle the task is by working on a little bit every day. Try a page a day for 9 days and see how it goes! And when you step onto the field at Training Camp, you may feel just a bit more prepared because of that tiny, easily-overlooked booklet.

If you have lost or misplaced your Connecting with God booklet, let us know and we’ll email you a copy.

Important Information

On April 24th we emailed and mailed out a copy of the Updated Mission Trip Schedule. This document provides the information you need to arrange all of your domestic travel, to and from the mission trip. Here’s one travel agent we highly recommend John Gossen with Bursch Travel.

You can download a copy the Updated Mission Trip schedule and any of our forms here »

Prep Packet & Forms
Make sure to read through the Prep Packet and all the forms sent to you when you applied for your Royal Servants mission trip (parents, you’ll want to read this information too!). We don’t want you to miss out on any important information or deadlines!
From the Finance Department
We’ve received a few questions regarding setting up ACH (automatic checking withdraws). Unfortunately, this service is not available for our Royal Servants participants at this time. We can only accept credit/debit cards online.
Mission Trip International Airfare Amounts & Deadlines
In your prep packet we let you know that we are required to start booking international tickets the week of May 6th. 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. 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 able to process 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 in the “Paying for the Trip” section of the Parent or Staff Discipler prep packets.

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 reach us at 763-535-9555, ext. 721 for Margaret or 712 for Tom. We are in the office weekdays between 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT.

The post Tiny and Easily-Overlooked appeared first on Reign Ministries.

We also live in an amazing time where we actually have the opportunity to explore this world. Did you know it took travelers 4 months to make the journey from Kansas to Missouri on the Oregon Trail in 1840? It took Marco Polo 24 years to travel 15,000 miles. It took William Carey, the first missionary to India, 7 months to get there from England. But for those of you on the China mission trip, it will take you a mere 13 hour plane ride to travel the 6600 miles from Chicago to Beijing. Amazing!

How incredible is it that in just over 50 days we will all be on planes trekking to the other side of the world encountering cultures so different than ours—with different languages, foods, and customs? We hope you are as excited as we are to explore this great world and spread God’s love! In the meantime, here are some fun suggestions to start learning about the country/countries you are heading to this summer:

• Check out the “local” weather: Want to know how chilly Ireland is, or how humid Nepal will be? Look it up at weather.com.
• Learn cool facts about your country: Are you curious about what the streets look like in Freetown? Go to Flickr.com and type in “Sierra Leone.” Not sure if you understand the history of China? Make a trip to Barnes and Noble, grab a frappuccino, a picture book, and enjoy! If you’re going to Costa Rica, grab a cup of coffee, get on the internet, and read up on their local soccer teams. You’ll be able to connect with the youth better if you know what’s going on in the different clubs
• Learn specifics: How does your peer group in the country you are traveling to live? What issues do they face? What major events have happened in their lifetime? What does daily life look like for them?
• Discover a friend: Find someone (from church, support team, friends, school, etc.) from the country you are traveling to and ask them about their culture. Ask lots of questions; people love to talk and share about their homeland!
• Taste the food: Drag your family or friends along to a restaurant that serves the food of the country you are going to.
• Learn key phrases in the language: Google key phrases and write them down. Learn how to say, “Where is the bathroom?” in Polish, French, or Nepali!
• Research: Check out operationworld.com for quick facts and prayer requests for every country that you may find yourself in this summer!

Go ahead and try a couple of these ideas. The more you learn ahead of time, the more you’ll arrive prepared to understand and embrace the experience.

Important Information

On April 24th we emailed and mailed out a copy of the Updated Mission Trip Schedule. This document provides the information you need to arrange all of your domestic travel, to and from the mission trip. Here’s one travel agent we highly recommend John Gossen with Bursch Travel.

You can download a copy the Updated Mission Trip schedule and any of our forms here »

Prep Packet & Forms
Make sure to read through the Prep Packet and all the forms sent to you when you applied for your Royal Servants mission trip (parents, you’ll want to read this information too!). We don’t want you to miss out on any important information or deadlines!
From the Finance Department
We’ve received a few questions regarding setting up ACH (automatic checking withdraws). Unfortunately, this service is not available for our Royal Servants participants at this time. We can only accept credit/debit cards online.
Mission Trip International Airfare Amounts & Deadlines
In your prep packet we let you know that we are required to start booking international tickets the week of May 6th. 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. 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 able to process 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 in the “Paying for the Trip” section of the Parent or Staff Discipler prep packets.

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 reach us at 763-535-9555, ext. 721 for Margaret or 712 for Tom. We are in the office weekdays between 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT.

The post It’s a small, small world… appeared first on Reign Ministries.

The post Making Contacts! appeared first on Reign Ministries.

When you received your prep packet in the mail, I’m sure you were a little overwhelmed by the vast amounts of information and the rainbow of colors that made up all of the forms that needed to be filled out and sent in. One such form was the Mentor Program Form (it was blue). Many of you have already sent this form back to us and I always smile when I process them. Others of you see the word “mentor” and have a similar reaction to mine. But have no fear; a “mentor” is nothing more than a semi-formal title for a person a few steps ahead of you, who is available to encourage your spiritual and personal growth.

A key ingredient that separates our faith from the other major religions of the world is the idea of relationship. It is a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ that gives us salvation. It is in the context of RELATIONSHIP that the church spreads that message, and it is RELATIONSHIPS that spark and encourage growth in our lives. We see all over Scripture different people coming alongside someone younger in their faith to help keep them growing and moving toward Christ-likeness. 1 Timothy 6:11 says “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Paul here is just reminding Timothy to keep his eyes focused where they should be.

To have a relationship with someone who can bring wisdom and encouragement as you seek the ultimate RELATIONSHIP (Christ) is valuable beyond words. It’s not only valuable, it’s DO-ABLE! Like Timothy had Paul, there are adults in your life–be it a family friend, youth pastor, or small group leader–who want to come alongside you as you pursue Christ.

A mentor isn’t a rigid, stuffy person who’s there to tell you when you mess up; it’s someone who’s been there and wants to walk with you and encourage you. So I want to encourage you to find a mentor, and watch how God uses them to draw you closer to Himself!

Important Information

This past Wednesday (April 24) we emailed and mailed out a copy of the Updated Mission Trip Schedule. This document provides the information you need to arrange all of your domestic travel, to and from the mission trip. Here’s one travel agent we highly recommend John Gossen with Bursch Travel.

You can download a copy the Updated Mission Trip schedule and any of our forms here »

Prep Packet & Forms
Make sure to read through the Prep Packet and all the forms sent to you when you applied for your Royal Servants mission trip (parents, you’ll want to read this information too!). We don’t want you to miss out on any important information or deadlines!
From the Finance Department
We’ve received a few questions regarding setting up ACH (automatic checking withdraws). Unfortunately, this service is not available for our Royal Servants participants at this time. We can only accept credit/debit cards online.
Mission Trip International Airfare Amounts & Deadlines
In your prep packet we let you know that we are required to start booking international tickets the week of May 6th. 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. 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 able to process 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 in the “Paying for the Trip” section of the Parent or Staff Discipler prep packets.

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 reach us at 763-535-9555, ext. 721 for Margaret or 712 for Tom. We are in the office weekdays between 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT.

The post Mentors: Rigid and Stuffy? appeared first on Reign Ministries.

Maybe you just experienced some slight panic.

And that is why we’re getting practical this week. But don’t worry; the good news is that you have plenty of time to raise your support before you leave! I know you may feel overwhelmed and super nervous about asking people for money, so here are some tips to help you out:

1. Remember the source. Your heavenly Father creates and owns everything in the universe. He provides each person with their daily needs. By motivating people to support you, He alone will provide your finances. Be in prayer each day, asking God to provide, and then have faith that He will do so!

2. Pick up the phone. People receive tons of mail every day. It’s too easy for a person to read a letter about an awesome mission trip and then forget about it. You must call every person to whom you mailed a support letter! Not only will they remember you (and your mission trip), they will feel respected by you. It takes guts to call and they understand that. Also, if they have any questions, they can ask you. They will appreciate that you took time to ask them personally.

3. Set a schedule. The best way to make it through your phone calls is to make a schedule and stick to it. Set aside time each day to make calls. If you don’t, you will procrastinate and spend each evening stressing about it. But if you stick to your schedule and make the calls, you’ll soon be done…and grateful you did it!

4. Say thanks–right away. As soon you notice that someone new has supported you, send them a “thank you” note. Even better, call them to say “thanks.” They have invested in you and it’s important to let them know how much you appreciate it. Don’t let your communication end there; make sure to send them an updates during and after the trip so they know how God worked though you and your team!

It is mid-April; but with God’s help, you can conquer the challenge of support-raising. Go make a few phone calls today!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory.” -Ephesians 3:20-21

Important Information

Prep Packet & Forms
Make sure to read through the Prep Packet and all the forms sent to you when you applied for your Royal Servants mission trip (parents, you’ll want to read this information too!). We don’t want you to miss out on any important information or deadlines!

Mission Trip International Airfare Amounts & Deadlines
In your prep packet we let you know that we are required to start booking international tickets the week of May 6th. 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. 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 able to process 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 in the “Paying for the Trip” section of the Parent or Staff Discipler prep packets.

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 reach us at 763-535-9555, ext. 721 for Margaret or 712 for Tom. We are in the office weekdays between 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT.

The post Getting Practical appeared first on Reign Ministries.

The post Sign Up! It’s Not Too Late! appeared first on Reign Ministries.

The Great Commission…it’s a pretty awesome and at the same time, overwhelming vision for our lives, huh? I mean, think about it: Jesus Christ–God–asked us (that’s you and me!) to take the message of His love and salvation to all the people of this world! He trusts us with this powerful mission. You’ve taken a huge step towards implementing the Great Commission into your everyday life by committing to this summer. It’s incredibly exciting to be part of! This summer you will be going into all nations making disciples!

The Great Commission is given in the last three verses of the first book of the New Testament; and I think that placement is significant. Jesus gave this command to His disciples (and to us) at the end of His ministry and shortly before He ascended into Heaven. I don’t think it was something He forgot to mention earlier nor was it an afterthought.

To me, the timing of these words is significant because the amount of time the disciples spent in relationship with Jesus. For three years they lived, walked, ate, and served with Him. By the time Jesus commanded them to “go and make disciples”…they knew Him well. They loved Him and were certain of His love for them. And that’s what made it possible for the disciples to be passionate about telling others about Jesus.

This summer you will see God work in incredible ways. But today is just as important as this summer will be. And it is vital that you are spending time, today, getting to know Jesus. Why? Because it is part of building your relationship with Jesus and, like the disciples, it prepares you to tell people about Him. Read your Bible every day, even if only for a few minutes. Talk to God; tell Him what excites and scares you. Get to know Him, so that you can make Him known to others.

If you’re not sure where to start reading in the Bible, check out the book of John in the New Testament!

Important Information

Prep Packet & Forms
Make sure to read through the Prep Packet and all the forms sent to you when you applied for your Royal Servants mission trip (parents, you’ll want to read this information too!). We don’t want you to miss out on any important information or deadlines!

Mission Trip International Airfare Amounts & Deadlines
In your prep packet we let you know that we are required to start booking international tickets the week of May 6th. 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. 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 able to process 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 in the “Paying for the Trip” section of the Parent and Staff Discipler prep packets.

If you want to purchase a ticket by putting a hold on a credit card, you will have to call the Reign Ministries’ office. 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 reach us at 763-535-9555, ext. 721 for Margaret or 712 for Tom. We are in the office weekdays between 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT.

The post Know and Make Known appeared first on Reign Ministries.

Contact Job and Bethany Hammond for more info at: bhammond@reignministries.org

The post Royal Servants Trip Info Meeting – Chicago Area appeared first on Reign Ministries.

I once bought what I thought was a chocolate covered vanilla ice cream bar, with nuts and a frozen chocolate center, which I love. However, after opening it I found that what I was holding had little resemblance to the picture on the wrapper. Instead, I was looking at a pink, brick-shaped chunk of ice cream-like substance, flecked with green and brown chunks on a stick. One lick convinced me to toss it in to the first garbage can I could find!

China is a country entirely set up against God. You will see churches, but they are regulated by the government. In one province the Chinese Christians will be bold and vocal, but in another province they are fearful and try to stay under the radar. But in spite of this, I love the fact that you can expect to share your faith in Jesus Christ with Chinese students, who will become your friends. I love the fact that you can expect to see prayers answered and your heart broken for the people you meet. And I love that I’m always a little uncomfortable in China, just as you may be because of what you may have heard, read, or seen about China. There will always be those things.

China is mysterious and there will always be unexpected things… like my ice cream. But one thing I will guarantee, you can expect to see God at work. You see, we are not bringing Christ to the Chinese, because Jesus is already there. We just get the privilege to help the Chinese recognize Him!

The post The Mystery of China appeared first on Reign Ministries.