With the security situation in many locations deteriorating, the Fox Creek Christian Church Missions advisory team has determined it is necessary to have a Mission Trip Security Brief and Release form.
The purpose of this form is not to discourage you from participating in a mission trip. When we say “Dangerous Faith In Action – We Didn’t Come To Watch” we mean it. We do feel it is imperative, however, that everyone be as fully informed, about the situation, as possible. We have no problem working in a dangerous place, but we do not want for anyone on a team to go under the guise that it is a completely safe endeavor. It is not.
In the end, it is more dangerous to walk away from God’s Call than it is to walk into dangerous situations. You must decide for yourself if God has called you to participate in a mission trip. If the answer is “Yes” then you should go. Please spend time in prayer, fasting, consulting your Bible and consulting other Christians whose judgment you trust to assist you in determining The Call.
Many third world destinations are violent places. Many of the missionaries with whom Fox Creek Christian Church partners with have been affected personally by murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, carjacking, burglary and/or robbery, either directly or to an immediate family member.
There are tens of thousands of social tourists (what mission trip members are called) who visit the countries where we work each year. Very few of them experience an incidence of violence, but the fact that they are providing aid has NOT prevented acts of violence on these groups. Upon attack, violent criminals show no regard to aid workers' intentions to help. They commit violent acts without remorse.
Fox Creek Christian Church does not have any funding, insurance, or assets that will assist in negotiations or rescue in relation to kidnap. If you are kidnapped, the responsibility of negotiations and/or ransom will rest on the local authorities, assistance of the US State Department, and your own family/friends.
The effectiveness of any of these people/agencies/resources is out of the control of Fox Creek Christian Church Missions. If there is an act of crime, justice or recourse is virtually non-existent. Do not expect it. Fox Creek Christian Church Missions does not regularly employ security personnel. Fox Creek Christian Church Missions does
accept security personnel on mission trips and has also sought counsel from professional security consultants. We are constantly striving to improve security for the mission teams and for the missionaries with whom we work.
Fox Creek Christian Church Missions does everything possible, with the resources available, to reduce risk, but there are no guarantees for personal safety.
The US Embassy Regional Security Office (RSO) website of the destination country is recommended reading for all Fox Creek Christian Church Missions team members. This can be found on each country’s US Embassy website. The US State Department also has country-specific information available on its website.
With that said, we will continue to work in dangerous places when called to do so.
We want you to be aware of the situation on the ground in a no-nonsense fashion. The people that perpetrate these acts of violence are the ones who need to hear the Good News of Jesus the most. This is one reason the missionaries continue to work, even when they have been victims. The Kingdom of God will advance, but it is far from risk free, in the human perspective. Moving forward in the face of adversity is critical for The Gospel to reach the ends of the earth, so courage is necessary.
As stated at the beginning of this form, if The Call is to go on a trip, God has a reason for it. Trust Him.
If you are simply looking for a vacation, or a mission trip seems like a good idea, but you have not spent time seeking God’s Call, then your preliminary homework has not been completed. First, determine The Call, then, make your decision. I have read and understand this briefing and release.
