STAR Team Name:

STAR Team derives its name from Sowing, Teaching, And Reaping which describes its missionary activities and purposes. Its Scripture text is Daniel 12:3 that describes those who lead people to righteousness like this: “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

In order for evangelistic and leadership training projects to run smoothly, all U.S. team members agree to work together maintaining the following principles and procedures:

Scriptural Mandate
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age”

Acts 1:7-8
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Purpose
Bible Basics International (BBI) exists for the purpose of evangelizing and training people for the Lord Jesus Christ. Our mission trips are international endeavors to assist in fulfilling this Great Commission.

Makeup of STAR Team Mission Projects
STAR Teams are typically made up of 12 to 20 people, depending on the number of churches participating with us on the project field. Teams consist of experienced missionaries, local church pastors, and lay people recommended by their pastors. Each team is led by a Bible Basics International missionary.

Doctrinal Agreement
All team members must agree with the BBI's basic Christian doctrinal statement. To read it click on this link: BELIEFS. All methods used must be in accord with BBI's doctrinal statement and with biblical principles.

Schedule of STAR Mission Projects
The STAR Team generally arrives in the destination country on Sunday or Monday and works with local church teams throughout the week. Schedules will be arranged to fit the local church situation.

Member Training - For those team members not experienced in the methodology detailed below, a training session will be held on the destination field the day before the actual campaign visits and meetings begin.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

BBI Financial Policy - All team members must follow the financial policies of BBI that apply to STAR mission projects. A copy of those policies will be supplied to those who will be participating in the Team.

Each person going on a STAR team mission trip is responsible to raise, or otherwise provide, the necessary funds to cover his/her part of the cost of the trip. For a detailed explanation of your particular campaign trip email us at STARteams@biblebasics.org.

BBI will determine the cost for each person in advance of the time a mission project is announced in the States. Since each trip's cost varies depending on many factors, a new Team Member Cost brochure is issued for each trip and is available to those interested in applying. Items that make up the cost are listed on the Team Member Cost brochure. This required amount is paid to BBI and is tax-deductible as a mission project.

Personal Expenses - This part of your expenses varies according to personal need. It includes such things as Souvenirs, film, and other personal items. This part is not tax-deductible.

Under no circumstances must any person incur a financial obligation of any size for the mission project, its overseas church sponsors, or Bible Basics International, without the express written permission of the BBI STAR Team leader.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Each STAR Team member agrees to assume total responsibility for his/her own personal health and safety while on the mission project. Each one must sign a "Statement of Cooperation" and an "Adult Release of Liability Form" that are a part of the "STAR Team Volunteer Registration" form.

MEDICAL PREPARATIONS

For your own safety, you should obtain medical clearance by your doctor. Your physician should specifically indicate that you are medically fit to participate on a STAR Team. Bible Basics International cannot and does not assume any responsibility for any problem of any kind arising from your medical condition.

Medications - Be sure to carry enough of your medications (prescription and across-the-counter medicine) for the entire trip, plus at least an additional week. The extra medication is for the purpose of being prepared for an emergency that delays travel like that of 9/11.

Immunizations - Standard and special immunizations must be obtained prior to the mission project. These should be reviewed at the web site for the Center for Disease Control. See next paragraph.

Internet Information - Upon acceptance as a STAR Team member, the individual should review the material given at the National Centers for Disease Control's web site for travel medicine, www.cdc.gov/travel. Enter the region where the project is being held to obtain specific immunization recommendations. This site will also give excellent general health advice and special advisories for any current health problems in the region of the mission project. Additional advice may be obtained from your doctor.

MINISTRY IN THE PROJECT COUNTRY

BBI's mission projects are designed as working projects and leave little time for tourist activities. Many churches in other countries have been disappointed in U.S. mission teams (not associated with Bible Basics International) that purported to come and work, and instead, spent much of their time in tourist activities.
Team members are expected to honor the customs of the churches in the country they are visiting. In particular, they are to be alert and not give advice to church members that may lead to conflict with the pastor and/or other leaders in the church. Likewise, do not promise money or gifts of any kind to individuals or churches.
Any of the following methods may be used and tailored to a specific mission project by BBI STAR Teams.

Leadership Training Sessions
BBI sends a team several months before the campaign to train pastors and church leaders using a seminar on biblical evangelism. The seminar teaches both scriptural principles and specific methods used during the STAR Team campaign.

Evangelistic Visitation
Written Testimonies - All STAR Team members must submit a brief testimony in English for translation into the language of the country where the mission project is held. It should be no more than one 5.5 x 8.5 typewritten page. BBI will translate and print the required number of copies for use on the field.

In-home Visits - Cooperating churches schedule home visits with willing participants in advance of the campaign. A member of the local church serves as translator and cultural interpreter for U.S. Team member(s) as they visit the scheduled home together. STAR Team members simply share their testimony during the visit and then lead the listener through the plan of salvation. Team members can use special STAR Team witnessing questions and answers if they wish. The listener is given a copy of the questions with Bible verses that answer them in his own language. A decision card is filled out for follow-up by the church.

Preaching and Public Testimony
Preaching and testimony services are held in participating churches during a mission project. Team members are selected to share according to their talents and gifts as determined by the Team leader.

Evangelistic Rally
An evangelistic rally is normally held at the conclusion of the mission project at a time most likely to attract the largest participation by the churches and the unbelievers in the community. An evangelist previously selected by the leadership of BBI will preach at this meeting. STAR Team members are expected to be available with their interpreters for counseling of seekers who respond to the invitation. Again, local church members will fill out decision follow-up cards. The local church will be responsible for follow-up for those making a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Other ministry opportunities in specific small groups and/or institutions such as schools, clinics, etc. will be tailored for each mission project according to requests from the participating churches. Only those desiring such opportunities will be assigned.

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS

A STAR Team Rendezvous Airport - Depending on the destination overseas, BBI will chose an airport (such as Miami or Houston) at which Team members are to meet for the trip to the destination country. Team members outside the Tampa Bay area are responsible to book and pay for round-trip transportation from their homes to the rendezvous airport. Be sure to consult BBI's STAR Team leader before making the reservation in order to assure that correct reservations are made in each case.

To and From the Project Field - The airport of embarkation for the Tampa Bay area team members will generally be Tampa International Airport. Using funds supplied by team members, BBI will book round-trip airline tickets for each team member from Tampa, FL and hotel accommodations in the destination country. Generally, group booking of airline tickets and hotel rooms makes it possible to obtain lower prices.

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Street address: 13042 Tarpon Springs Road, Odessa, FL 33556
Phone: (813)920-2264 Fax: (813)920-2265
Updated Tuesday, 25-Mar-2008 08:39:36 EDT by BAP