Guatemala, November 2026

Short-Term Mission Trip Policies

Purpose of Short-Term Mission Trips

The purpose of any short term mission trip from Fruit Cove Baptist Church is to obey the Great Commission as stated by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-¬20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Fruit Cove Mission Trip Core Values

• The purpose of a mission trip is to proclaim the Gospel.
• Each participant will get pre-project training to prepare them for cultural differences and Gospel-sharing opportunities.
• Our focus is to strengthen existing churches and plant new ones.
• Serving hosts and enhancing their ministry is a priority.
• Our hearts should break over the lostness of the people we are going to serve more than the material poverty in which they may live.
• The trip is not about me.

Policies for Short-Term Member Selection

Criteria for team member selection
Participants must:

1 Be faithful followers of Jesus Christ
2 Active Members of Fruit Cove Baptist Church or a church similar to the faith and beliefs of FCBC (Statement of faith available at www.fruitcove.com under “About Us”)
3 Great Commission-minded
4 Willing to share the Gospel
5 Able to attend most team meetings and/or training sessions prior to departure, unless the team member lives out of town. In that case, he/she should communicate regularly with the team leader via e¬mail and/or phone and be able to fulfill any requirements that are deemed necessary by the team leader.
6 Able to financially absorb the entire cost of the mission trip prior to departure. In the event there is an unpaid balance on a participant’s account, that participant may not participate in another mission trip until the outstanding balance is paid. (If you need to make payments, please let the team leader know.)
7 Team members must be 16 and over, unless otherwise indicated by the Team Leader. Team members under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on the trip, unless it is a mission trip designated for students entering 6¬-12th grades. Parental or guardian permission is required for team members who are under 19 years of age.


We must have an application on file and the team leader will review the application and determine if you are a good fit for the team. Information on the Application for Short Term Missions and the required criminal background check is considered confidential information and will not be released to the general public. The Missions Team and staff of Fruit Cove Baptist Church will be the only individuals to review this documentation. Background checks are renewed every 3 years.

Financial Policy for short-term team members:

• Team members are expected to raise 100% of their financial support for the trip. **Any funds raised should be given directly to you; then, you pay the church for the cost of the trip.
• Please make every effort to make final payments prior to departure on the trip.
• Per Tax policies and regulations, all donations (not payments) received by the church for this trip, will go towards the overall cost for this trip and will not be allocated to any one individual. ** We cannot accept monies from donors specified for a particular person. Church members in need of a scholarship, should contact the Missions Office for a scholarship application.
• A team member will be responsible for all costs or expenses incurred on their behalf, should they have to cancel and cannot participate on the trip. **If flights have already been purchased, participants will have a flight credit with the airline in the event of cancellation.
• The church will purchase missionary travel insurance for all participants. This is included in the cost of the trip. You do have the option to purchase additional cancellation/interruption coverage. For some trips, it may be required. Please contact the Missions Office if you wish to add this additional coverage.

Policies for team behavior and attitude:

Individuals participating on Fruit Cove Baptist Church sponsored mission endeavors are reminded that they are ambassadors of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:20). As teams go on mission, they not only represent Him, but Fruit Cove Baptist Church, the United States, and the supporting mission agency (if applicable). For this reason, Fruit Cove Baptist Church requests that each team member seek to be above reproach in his/her actions and attitudes.

1. Team members must submit to the team leader’s authority and leadership.
2. Political uncertainty is always of great concern while a mission team of Fruit Cove Baptist Church is serving on the international mission field. Therefore, FCBC requests that team members refrain from expressing political opinions and comments.
3. Refrain from the use of profanity, alcohol, the use of tobacco products, illegal drugs, gambling, immorality, and any other activities that do not align themselves with scripture.
4. All team members must adhere to the behavioral guidelines for each specific team set by the team leader and the missionary agency with consideration toward the culture to which the team is going.
5. After consultation with the Missions Pastor and Missions Team, the team leader reserves the right to remove a team member at any point during the training or while on the trip if that team member’s behavior is deemed to compromise the effectiveness of the team, the ministry, or the host community. Any additional costs incurred as a result of this action will be at the team member’s expense.

I agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Fruit Cove Baptist Church, its employees, agents, and members from any and all claims or demands due to personal injury, illness, or death as well as any and all property damage sustained of any nature which may be incurred by me, whether in foreign or domestic territory, while participating in the above-described event or activity. I agree that if any of my actions, comments or attitudes are deemed to be destructive to the team, its mission or the partnering country/mission, I will be removed from the event. I also agree to be directed by and responsible to the designated church leadership for the trip. Further, I agree to hold harmless and to indemnify Fruit Cove Baptist Church as well as its employees, agents, or members for any liability or expenses sustained by the Fruit Cove Baptist Church as a result of my participation. I agree to allow the church to use video and photographs taken during this event for promotional use for future Fruit Cove Baptist Church mission trips and events.

I hereby authorize Fruit Cove Baptist Church or its representative to initiate any medically necessary care on my behalf in the event of my incapability to present myself for such care and agree to be financially responsible to any care provider and authorize the release of any necessary medical or insurance related information pertinent to the circumstances.