AN INTRODUCTORY MISSIONARY PROGRAM FOR BAPTIST YOUTH Topping all plans to interest dedicated young people in missions are actual visits to the mission field. We are living in a time when the lecture, vague challenge, stirring filmstrips or slides and dedication services are not reaching the Christian high school and college student.
Vigorous, courageous young people whose theology is correct and behavior patterns are appropriate, with an ultimate goal need only a third necessary step - INVOLVEMENT! Without activation, their Christian life will lead to apathy, defeat, and / or compromise.
A number of enterprising pastors and youth workers are recognizing this need and taking a realistic outlook in approaching the problem. SMITE is a biblical youth missionary program that will work for separatist Baptist churches who are supporting this type of work on the actual mission field.
It is designed to place young people on a specific field for a short term basis and give them first hand experience through personal exposure. Under the supervision and direction of the missionary the need for involvement is met as they receive practical missionary training.
The ultimate goal is to SMITE the gap between those being born and those being born again and to SMITE a second gap between a missionary surrender and getting to the mission field. Jesus said, "Say not ye, there are yet four months and then cometh the harvest. Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." John 4:35 Not tomorrow, not after academic training, not after deputation, but NOW we must find ways to get our young people involved in World Evangelization.
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?
WHO SPONSORS THE PROGRAM?
HOW IS THE PROGRAM
FINANCED?
WHO ARE THE PARTICIPANTS?
WHAT ARE THE
REQUIREMENTS?
WITH WHOM DO THE PARTICIPANTS
WORK?
WHAT TYPE OF WORK WILL THE PARTICIPANTS
DO?
WHAT IS THE PERIOD OF
SERVICE?
WHAT TYPE OF TRIP IS THIS?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE
TRIP?
WHERE WILL WE BE GOING?
WHAT ABOUT GETTING INTO THE
COUNTRY?
WHAT MISSIONARIES WILL WE
VISIT?
HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I
BRING?
WHAT KIND OF CLOTHING SHOULD THE BOYS AND
GIRLS WEAR?
WHAT IS MY ATTITUDE SUPPOSED TO
BE?
WHERE WILL WE BE STAYING?
WHAT IS THE COST?
MORE ABOUT SMITE!
SMITE is a youth missionary program to involve young people in actual, on the field, missionary work on a short term basis; thereby enabling them to increase their witness and vision and reach an ultimate goal of knowing where they fit into God's plan for evangelizing the world.
It is a working type of missionary program in which young people are involved in specific missionary endeavors under the supervision of a missionary in the area where they believe the Lord is leading them or where a know need exists.
It is sponsored by and through the local New Testament Baptist church or churches.
It is financed by being incorporated into the church missionary program. Each young person participating will be required to contribute a pre-determined amount of the expenses involved.
High school and college young people who are actively participating and sympathetic with the total ministry of their local church, and who have met the requirements of the program.
Applicants will be chosen from those who have shown evidence of spiritual maturity in their Christian lives, with preference being given to those called to full-time missionary work. Each applicant will be screened by the pastor and deacons.
WITH WHOM DO THE PARTICIPANTS WORK?
The participants will be under the supervision and direction of full-time Baptist missionaries.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK WILL THE PARTICIPANTS DO?
The types of work will vary from evangelistic work to manual labor, according to the ministry of the missionary and the need of the particular field.Back to questions!
WHAT IS THE PERIOD OF SERVICE?
The periods of service are divided into three divisions:1) Concentrated Campaign, which is for one week. (Two weeks for many with travel).
2) Summer Service Program, which is for three months or less.
3) Extended Internship, which is for one year.
All trips under the SMITE program are working missionary trips. The Mexico trip is not a vacation, nor does it take the place of a summer youth camp. (Unless so arranged by your church.) Every person will be involved in some phase of the total program, which will involve tours of various cities and places for the purpose of visiting missionaries and churches. For one week, each person must become a "missionary" in every since of the word.Back to questions!
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIP?
Many things will be accomplished while in Mexico but the main purpose of the trip is to build and or to distribute Spanish Gospel's of John and Gospel tracks among the Mexican people under the leadership of missionaries and conduct evangelistic services in the various cities and villages we will visit. We want to share Jesus Christ with the Mexican people and set an example through our testimony that will stimulate and encourage the believers there.
The cities of Monterrey, Cd. Guadalupe, San Nicolas de Los Garza are to be the center of our concentration for the trip. The majority of work will be done in Monterrey which will be our home base. We will stay at camp "RIO ESCONDIDO" at the edge of Monterrey.
WHAT ABOUT GETTING INTO THE COUNTRY?
All that is required by the Mexican government for the trip is a tourist visa. (Since July, 1999, the Mexican Government has started to charge $20.00 for this visa.) Fill out the application properly and produce proof of U. S. citizenship, such as a notarized copy of your Birth Certificate or a valid passport, or a voter resgestration card and you will meet the requirements. The shot ban has been lifted and there will not be any inoculation required.ALL young people under the age of 18 MUST have notarized written permission from their parents or guardians. All vehicles (including trailers) must have title and ALL church vehicles must have notarized letters giving the driver permision to take the vehicle into Mexico. The driver of the vehicle MUST have a valid VISA or MASTERCARD with them to enter the country. (Only one driver PER vehicle.) There is a $17.00 fee for the paperwork that must be charged to your credit card.
Back to questions!
WHAT MISSIONARIES WILL WE VISIT?
Dr. Ronnie Smith and family.
HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?
This will be up to the director of your group, but should be held to a minimum.
WHAT KIND OF CLOTHING SHOULD THE BOYS AND GIRLS WEAR?
In all dress, conservatism in the word. For traveling, this will be up to the director. In Bible distribution and in church services, a nice dress for the girls, (no peddle pushers or pants) and for the boys, slacks and shirts. (no blue jeans or muscle shirts) Around the camp will be left up to the director.Back to questions!
WHAT IS MY ATTITUDE SUPPOSED TO BE?
Every person on the trip must be a "cooperator". Needless to say that being away from home, in a strange land, under peculiar circumstances, there will be problems arise that are not anticipated. Thus, a consistent, cooperative spirit is to be maintained.
We have a youth camp located about 20 miles outside of Monterrey. Camp "Rio Escondido" has the facilities needed for your stay. We have 4 dorms, (two for girls, and two for boys.) A large kitchen and dinning hall. A Tabernacle, soccer field, and baseball field. Basketball, volleyball and other sports are played in the sun.
The cost for one week will be $1000.00 (for the entire group). The group can be as large as needed, but we recommend no more than 50 people. You will need to bring your own cook and food. You can puchase food here in Mexico, but it is around 20% higher that what you pay in the USA.No week will be reserved until a deposit of $250.00 is received. This is non refundable, but will go toward the total cost of the camp upon your arrival.
Back to questions!
The SMITE camps are run during the summer months of June and August. JULY IS CLOSED AS WE USE THE CAMP FOR OUR MEXICAN YOUTH CAMPS. It is suggested that the groups arrive on Monday and leave on Saturday morning. (Special arrangements MUST be made to arrive any other day). The week is spent depending on what type of program you want to be involved with. Some SMITE groups come and help build church buildings. Several church buildings have been built by different groups from the U.S.A. Other SMITE groups come and hand out Gospel's of John and Gospel tracks. Others come for the purpose of having their church youth camp. ALL SMITE groups hold evangelistic services at night in the different churches and missions in the Monterrey metroplex.We will be glad to work with you on whatever program you choose. SMITE helps us both. We receive a blessing and benifit from the work you do and also your young people receive a blessing by being able to see the mission field first hand. Several missionaries that are on the field today are there as a result of them surrendering their lives to the Lord on a SMITE trip.
If you should have any other questions that we have not covered, please write to us:
Or CALL us in Mexico at:
011 (528) 356-7865