Sowing, Teaching, and Reaping

STAR Team star Information for U.S. STAR Team Members

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

Evangelistic Witness Teams generally arrive in the destination country on Sunday or Monday and work with local churches’ teams throughout the week. A witness team consisting of at least one U.S. person and one local translator will make visits to people, usually unsaved, who have agreed to receive the visitors and listen to their testimonies. Appointments for these visits will have been set up in advance by the local churches.

Schedules will be arranged to fit the local church situation.

Financial Responsibilities of Team Members

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

Each person going on a mission trip is personally responsible to raise, or otherwise provide, the necessary funds to cover his part of the expenses of the trip.

Bible Basics International will determine the cost for each mission team member in advance of the time each mission project is announced to the USA churches. That cost will cover travel, lodging, meals, and administrative expenses for the trip.

Personal Items - Souvenirs, film, medical supplies, and other incidentals will be the responsibility of each team member in a mission project. However, it is emphasized that most mission endeavors allow little time for tourist activities. The mission projects are designed as working projects. 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.

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 Director of the BBI’s STAR Team projects.

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 an “Adult Release of Liability Form” that reads as follows:

"The undersigned hereby agrees that he will voluntarily be taking part in a STAR Team Mission Project trip being taken by Bible Basics International on (dates). I am over the age of eighteen and understand and agree that neither Bible Basics International, its officers, nor any of its staff members may be held liable in any way for any occurrence in connection with the mission trip that may result in injury, death, or other damages to me or my family, heirs, or assigns. I agree further to save and hold harmless Bible Basics International, its officers, and its staff members from any claim by me, my family, estate, heirs, or assigns, arising out of my participation in this STAR Team Mission Project. I, (participating member’s name), exempt and release Bible Basics International, its officers, and its staff members from all liability whatsoever for personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death caused by negligence."



PREPARATIONS

Medical Preparation

Medical clearance - by your doctor is required of all team members. 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. Enter the specific region where the project is being held to obtain specific immunization recommendations. This site will also give excellent general health advice and specific advisories for any current health problems in the region of the mission project. Additional advice may be obtained from your doctor.

Medical History and Physical Examination Forms - Team members must submit medical history and examination forms to BBI from their private physician. Additionally, their physician should indicate that they are medically fit to participate on a STAR team. The form should include a detailed history of prior immunizations. Generally, this should be done within the six-month period prior to a mission project.

Medications List - A list of all over-the-counter and prescription medications (including dose, strength, and frequency) used by a team member must be submitted to BBI with the History and Physical Examination.

Training Preparation

For those team members not experienced in the methodology detailed below, a one-day training session will be held at BBI headquarters in Odessa, FL (a Tampa suburb located a few miles northwest of Tampa, FL) the day before the scheduled embarkation.

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

Ministry in the Project Country

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 pastors and/or other leaders in the church.
Any of the following methods may be used and tailored to a specific mission project.

Leadership Training Sessions

BBI will supply teachers and translators for the Leadership Training sessions. Usually the text will be Doctrina Cristiana Básica by Dr. Eugene Priddy, President of BBI. Studies on various other biblical subjects may be selected according to predetermined needs of the participating churches. Team members will be selected to teach according to their talents as authenticated by their credentials and/or gifts as determined by the leadership of BBI.

Evangelistic Visitation

All team members must submit a brief, one-page testimony in English for translation into the selected language of the country where the mission project is held. Forms will be provided by BBI for this purpose. Churches will schedule home visits in advance of a mission project. A member of the local church will serve as translator and/or cultural interpreter for U.S. team member(s) as they visit the scheduled homes together. The mission team member(s) will share his/her testimony during this time and then lead the listener through a plan of salvation. A bilingual testimony and questionnaire will be used and filled out for follow-up by the local church member.

Preaching

As an option available to the local churches, preaching services may be held in participating churches during a mission project. Team members will be selected to preach according to their talents as authenticated by their credentials and/or gifts as determined by the leadership of BBI.

Evangelistic Rally

An evangelistic rally may be 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. U.S. team members are expected to be available with their interpreters for counseling of seekers who respond to the invitation. For those responding, local church members will fill out questionnaires. The local church will be responsible for follow-up for those making a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Visitation, preaching and/or teaching for 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.

Travel Considerations

To and From BBI Headquarters Departure Point - Team members are directly responsible to book and pay for round-trip transportation from their homes to Tampa, FL and any expenses for their stay in the Tampa area.

To and From the Project Field - The airport of embarkation for the team 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
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