Parents Information
Student Life is an interdenominational Christian organisation founded in 1951, with the purpose of helping to fulfil the Great Commission of Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. When Bill and Vonette Bright first launched the ministry (then called Campus Crusade for Christ), the underlying concept was to “win the campus today and change the world tomorrow.” More than 50 years later, the mission remains the same. In New Zealand, the expression is called Student Life.
Traditional, orthodox Christian beliefs are at the core of the Student Life movement. We hold to the essential claims of the Christian heritage including the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have no ties to any one particular denomination but work instead in cooperation with many local churches to aid the spiritual development of young men and women.
While no one can guarantee the complete safety of anyone, anywhere, we do take common sense precautions. Upon their arrival, students will have several days of orientation to life in their location including street smart travel and what to do in case of an emergency. Each location has its own policies that help to provide for your son or daughter’s safety.
How do I know these trips are safe?
During every phase of the trip, safety is given the highest priority. Before a location is even selected as a destination, it is evaluated for political stability, recent and previous history, as well as any national issues that may have the potential to escalate. Locations are monitored continually to ensure stability.
The mission trip leaders are trained in basic areas of crisis management, and contingency plans are developed for each location. Our Leadership Team constantly monitors all travel advisories issued by the New Zealand Government. This team is in frequent communication with local contacts in the ministry areas. During their visit they will work with local contacts to ensure the safety and viability of all food, housing, transportation and ministry locations. If at anytime during the preparation process a country becomes unsafe, it will be immediately cancelled and all affected missionaries will be assigned to another country.
During the trip, every policy upholding the safety of the students will be followed at all times. If conditions were ever to become unsafe during the trip itself, the appropriate emergency protocol for that destination would be followed. Our team in New Zealand will be notified of the emergency and information will be available for the families at the number listed below.
In case of an emergency or if you simply have a need or concern while your son/daughter is on project
For only matters that are urgent in nature, please call (09) 360-5466. This is our head office number and is available to help provide emergency services for the hundreds of students on Summer Project trips and their families.
For general questions, please do not call our office number. Please email us at projects@studentlife.org.nz
When calling, please be ready to give the following info:
- Your name and your student’s name
- Area of world and location
- Ministry their project is with (Campus Ministry, Athletes in Action, etc.)
- How to contact you
Who will be leading my son/daughter?
On a typical Summer Project with Student Life, one male and one female Director, along with a small staff team, will oversee all administrative operations, and are responsible for scheduling, logistics, teaching, training, and discipling the entire group. Each Director has been hand-selected by the Student Life leadership team for their experience and proven leadership. They strive to provide a quality experience for each missionary.
What does the cost of the trip pay for?
National Trips: The base cost of each trip includes housing, project materials (Bible studies, notebooks, evangelistic materials, etc.), special project activities and food costs.
International Trips: The base cost of each trip includes international airfare, travel insurance, missionary training and debriefing, in-country transportation, housing and food. Trip prices offset costs such as gospel materials and literature, administration, and project setup costs.
In addition to the cost that is already listed for the project, students are able to raise additional funding to cover their transportation to and from project or briefing, supplies they bought to raise funds for the summer and some other costs that the project leadership will tell them about when they are accepted.
Each student on a Summer Project trip has the opportunity to grow their faith by trusting God to provide the financial resources needed to attend project. We will provide great resources to help your child learn how to invite others to partner with them this summer by giving financially and praying for them. Every one of our staff members in the world is responsible for building a team of ministry partners and God has provided for each of these as well as for the thousands of students who have gone with us the past.
“I told my daughter she wouldn’t be able to raise all that money and, quite frankly, I was uncomfortable with the idea of sending her on a mission trip if it meant spending thousands of dollars for her to go. But I witnessed God provide for her financially—she raised more than the required amount! Not only did God show me his provision before the project, but after she returned, I got to talk with her more openly about our spirituality.”
Are all donations tax-deductible?
Student Life is a ministry of Tandem Ministries. Tandem Ministries is a charitable non-profit organisation, making all donations to the ministry tax-deductible. In order to receive a tax deduction, we require donors to release to Student Life the control of how their donations are spent. This means all contributions raised for mission trips must be payable to Student Life in order to receive a tax deduction.
How will my son/daughter get the money for their trip?
Each year Student Life helps thousands of university students and leaders raise the money for their adventures, and we will help your son/daughter too! Raising the money is probably easier than you think. Once your son/daughter has been accepted to a Summer Project with Student Life, they will receive assistance in writing support letters, making phone calls and following up with potential sponsors.
We have found that there are two major resources that will help students raise their money. As we go through them, remember—GOD is always our source!
Family and friends: It is very important for your son or daughter to share the story of what God has done in their heart with family and close friends. We will help your child to write a support letter to share where they are going, why they are going, and how the family member or friend can be a part of what God wants to do through them. It is important for your child to let them know how much the trip is going to cost so that they know how much help will be needed. This will give them the opportunity to be a part of your son or daughter’s Summer Project trip. Support letters not only give people the opportunity to help financially, but also prayerfully. It is a great way to allow people to see what God is doing, especially to those who may not know your child very well. Family and friends, regardless of their religious beliefs, will often be very willing to help—all they have to do is ask. Remember, the money that they give is for God, not for your child, so we don’t want them to hesitate to ask. It is also tax-deductible which is a big plus!
Pastor and youth pastors: Churches desire and are often able to be a part of sending your son or daughter on a mission trip like this. Your son or daughter could set up a meeting with the pastor and/or youth pastor to share what God has placed on their heart. See if they would be willing to help by allowing your child to address the church, take up an offering, or talk with the missions board.
Once your son or daughter has been accepted, they will receive additional information from their trip leadership team. Since we have so many locations each summer, these project leadership teams have the most current and specific information regarding their location. If you and your student have questions not answered, we encourage you to contact the directors by email or phone.
How do I communicate with my son or daughter while they are gone?
We know that simply hearing your son or daughter’s voice can set your mind at ease, so we encourage students to call home if suitable. Many will be able to also touch base via a phone call or by email during the summer as resources and time allow.
Can my son or daughter leave during the summer?
We ask that all students who have been accepted to be a part of the trip make themselves available for the entire length of the trip. We generally do not allow students to leave for overnight trips due to safety concerns, and in light of activities. Any exceptions can be discussed first with their trip leadership.
Emergency
For only matters that are urgent in nature, please call (09) 360-5466. This is our head office number and is available to help provide emergency services for the hundreds of students on Summer Project trips and their families.
For general questions, please do not call our office number. Please email us at projects@studentlife.org.nz
When calling, please be ready to give the following info:
- Your name and your student’s name
- Area of world and location
- Ministry their project is with (Campus Ministry, Athletes in Action, etc.)
- How to contact you