Encounter Program Information

ISP 2024-25 Encounter Program Information

The Encounter journey includes a spring semester of discovery, development, training and community culminating in 2-3 weeks of service among the nations during the summer.  Under the supervision of faculty/staff/alumni team leaders, teams of 7-11 students will strategically partner with overseas missionaries to build relationships and share the gospel.

Qualifications

The ideal ISP applicant will be follower of Christ who is established in their faith and desires to grow as a disciple-maker. Applicants will have a desire to learn and adapt to a cross-cultural ministry environment. Students must be currently enrolled at CBU*, not on disciplinary probation, and in good physical and mental health. All applicants must submit to a background check and a final clearance process through the International Mission Board.

*Students planning to graduate in December may apply to serve on a team as long as they can participate in all spring ISP training and events.

Application and Interview Process

Application Process:

• Submit a 2024-25 Summer Service Project Application by October 16, 2024.
• Attend a Summer Service Project Interview (10/21-10/29).  Applicants will be invited to sign up for an interview.
• If approved to move forward with the application process for ISP, applicants will complete a secondary application and choose project preferences through Go-Method software. (Nov 4 – Nov 10)
• Obtain three references (Submitted through Go Method software)
• $40 Application Fee (covers background check)

Apply to Be a Encounter Team Assistant

Students who have previously successfully served on ISP can apply to be an Encounter Team Assistant.  Students interested in this position can apply by selecting this as an option on their SSP application. Encounter Team Assistants receive a $500 scholarship toward the cost of their project.

Participant Acceptance

Students will receive an e-mail on Friday, November 15, 2024, indicating if they have been accepted to participate in the ISP program this year.  Participants will then need to pay a $300 team placement deposit by Sunday, Dec 1. Participants are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared to submit the fee upon receiving the acceptance e-mail. Team Placement fees are credited toward to total cost of the International Serve Project.

Course Credit

Earn academic credit for serving on ISP. Participants will receive an e-mail from ISP4Credit@calbaptist.edu after being accepted to ISP in November. This e-mail will contain information and requirements to enroll in CST491 for Spring or Summer 2025. The class instructor is Dr. Dan Wilson, and enrollees will have some assignments in addition to serving overseas. We recommend participants discuss the opportunity with their advisor during registration for Spring 2025.

Program Costs and Deadlines

2-Week Encounter teams are approximately 2 weeks in length and cost $2,900. 

3-Week Encounter teams are approximately 3 weeks in length and cost $3,800.

The program cost covers all training expenses, on-field expenses (lodging, food, transportation, and ministry supplies), airline ticket, visa, overseas insurance, and training materials. Participants are personally responsible to pay for their passport and immunizations. While on the field, each participant is only required to pay for his/her souvenirs, sightseeing, and snacks.

How Do Students Finance ISP? Participants are encouraged to raise support to finance their International Service Project. Mobilization provides training and resources to teach participants how to successfully raise support. Scholarships are also available for students to apply who have been diligent in the support-raising process but have fallen short of their support-raising goal.

Financial deadlines are listed below:

• Last day to submit the application and pay the $40 non-refundable application fee: Sunday, Nov 10, 2024.
• $300 Team Placement Deposit due: Sunday, December 1, 2024. 
• 33% Financial Deadline: Sunday, January 26, 2025
• 66% Financial Deadline: Sunday, March 2, 2025
• 100% Financial Deadline: Sunday, April 6, 2025

Training Overview

A major part of ISP is the equipping participants receive before going overseas.  These projects are not to be seen as seasonal activities, but rather as opportunities to apply the disciple-making skills they are learning and using here in cross-cultural contexts overseas.  We will prepare team members for this throughout the spring semester with a specialized training program.  Participants will enter the summer with the knowledge, skills and vision necessary to engage the unreached with the Gospel. 

Participants must be available to attend the mandatory trainings as shown below.  Note:  Intercollegiate Athletes and students who receive performance-based scholarships might need to “occasionally” miss a training due to a performance or competition. This should be discussed during the interview process.

Weekly Spring Training
ISP Teams will train every Wednesday from 6-9 pm from January 15 – April 16 except for the week of Spring Break (March 12) and April 9.

Intensive Training Weekend
February 8 from 8 am – 10 pm and Feb 9 from 8 am – 5 pm

Other Important Dates

• Team Reveal – Monday, December 2, from 7-9:30 pm. Participants find out their team placement, receive training on security protocols, and meet with their team for the first time.
• ISP Support Raising Workshop – Wednesday, December 4, from 6-8 pm. Participants learn how to set up their support-raising page and receive training on how to raise support for their ISP trip at this mandatory meeting.

Questions?  click here to fill out the follow-up form to ask questions or meet with a Global Service staff member!