Families on Mission FAQs

Q: What is Families on Mission?
A: Families on Mission is a ministry of the North American Mission Board designed to provide families with an introduction to missions and to develop a mission lifestyle. Participants will have a chance to engage in personal evangelism through assigned ministry projects and participate in corporate worship each evening.

Q: What does my fee cover?
A: The $250 fee covers all food and lodging for the week. Breakfast is continental, a sack lunch will be packed and eaten at the ministry site and dinner will be served at the local host church each evening. A local hotel will serve as the lodging. A room will be assigned to each family up to 5 per room. The programming for the week is also covered in the cost and includes the worship speaker for the week. Coordinator’s, summer staff, logistics and planning are included in the fee.

Q: Am I responsible for other expenses?
A: You are responsible for travel to and from the event as well as travel during the event (to project sites, to the evening gatherings, and to church on Sunday). Also, any incidentals like extra snacks, drinks, etc. are your responsibility.

Q: How old does my child have to be to come and participate?
A: Your child must have completed kindergarten, prior to the summer of the project, to participate. Beyond that, all ages may participate.

Q: Why can’t we bring our child who has not completed kindergarten?
A: FOM projects are designed so that your children participate in the ministry activities. The projects are not suitable for children who have not finished kindergarten. In addition, the secondary insurance that is provided through the Families on Mission registration does not allow for children who have not completed kindergarten prior to the summer of the project.

Q: What are the jobs of the Coordinators at Families on Mission projects?
A: The Project Coordinator is the main point of contact for the family or church group. They are to communicate the logistics of the project prior to arrival and are the main point of contact of the lodging facility, host church, participants, summer staff and FOM national staff.

The Ministry Coordinator's job is to enlist local ministry sites for the week. They are to work with the ministry sites to develop a clear statement of work and schedule for each ministry location. The ministry coordinator is to work in conjunction with the project coordinator in order to communicate the ministry team assignments to the families or church groups at least a month prior to the project.

Q: Where will my family be staying?
A: Lodging will be at a local hotel. Details will be provided by your project coordinator prior to your arrival. Should you decide to stay over an additional day, you must make those arrangements directly with the hotel.

Q: What meals are provided?
A: All meals are provided. A continental breakfast will be served each day. Lunch on project days will be a sack lunch provided to each family. The evening meal will be at the local host church each night. Details will be provided by the project coordinator once you arrive.

Q: Do we have to provide our own transportation to our ministry site each day or is it provided for us?
A: Transportation to your project site each day is the responsibility of the individual family or church group.

Q: How do I know what my ministry project is going to be?
A: The project coordinator will send an email in the spring describing the types of ministry projects planned at your destination. You will be asked to indicate your preferences. Your family will be assigned to one of your preferences by the project coordinator.

Q: We have a large church group coming to Families on Mission. Can we all work at the same project?
A: Families on Mission is first committed to families and allowing them to serve together. Ten to twelve ministry projects will be offered at each location, and families can choose the types of projects that best fit their family. The ministry projects will not be large enough to accommodate large church groups serving together.

Q: Will my family be split up to work on different ministry projects?
A: No, your family will stay together and work on the same ministry projects.

Q: Are there any special preparations my family needs to make before coming to Families on Mission?
A: Your project coordinator will provide your family with a pre-study that will guide your family in prayer and discussion about the mission trip. We encourage you to also enlist prayer partners through your extended family and church family who will pray for your mission experience

Q: What is the dress code for Families on Mission?

• Sleeved shirts are to be worn by all participants at all times. No spaghetti straps or midriffs allowed—including dresses. If sleeves are torn off the shirt, it no longer meets the code. This includes at the project sites, evening worship services, the lodging facility, meals, and training.  
• Long pants must be worn at the construction work sites. Pants made of heavy cloth, like denim, are preferred. Shorts are acceptable at other project sites. 
• No short shorts anytime. Shorts should be modest in length.
• Shorts are acceptable at the lodging facility and evening worship services.
• Durable shoes with closed toes must be worn at the constructions project sites. Sandals or tennis shoes are acceptable and recommended at non-construction sites.
• One piece bathing suits are required at the motels, should you have the opportunity to swim. NO two-piece swim suits are permitted.
• Participants are to be fully dressed in accordance with this dress code any time they are outside their assigned room at the lodging facility. Modest-length shorts or long pants and a sleeved shirt are required while in hallways, worship, project sites, training, and meals.