Short Term Mission Participant Handbook - Catch the Fire

Short Term Mission Participant Handbook 

Dear Missions Participant, 

Thank you for your interest in traveling on a Short Term Mission with a Catch The Fire team! 

God is on the move and we want to move with Him, sharing His love and blessings around the world in every way we 

possibly can. Get yourself ready to join a team and make a difference; it starts with prayer and preparation but God can 

use us all to build His Kingdom. Thanks for your willingness to go with us! 

In the Father’s love, 

John Arnott 

Founding Pastor 

Catch The Fire 

Part One 

The application to participate in a Catch The Fire Short Term Mission will help us understand your expectations and 

how you can best serve on the mission. The information you provide will be held in confidence and used only for the 

purpose of mission planning. If you have any questions on the application, please contact our office as soon as 

possible. Also, please ensure your deposit accompanies your application and you carefully read the information sheet. 

Part Two 

Once your application is approved, release forms will be sent to you from our mission office for you to complete, sign 

and return. Please retain a copy of all documents and this page to refer to the document checklist. 

We welcome our Catch The Fire World Changer partners to let our WC program manager know that you will be 

participating. 

Prayer and training prior to your trip are essential, so it is important that you attend Team Leader sessions either in 

person or via a web session, and review the online resource sheet at www.catchthefire.com/missions to research 

additional information that will help you as you prepare for the mission. 

MISSIONS TRIP DOCUMENT CHECKLIST 

(Read carefully, sign and return as indicated) 

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Part One 

Application for Short Term Mission Trip 

Deposit Form 

Short Term Missions Information 

Pastoral Reference Form 

Part Two 

Discipline Policy 

Medical Information Form 

Emergency Medical Release Form 

Media Release 

Mission Trip Training Sessions 

Mission Trip Resources – available online 

Color Copy of passport & photo with application 

Visit our website: www.catchthefire.com for updates and additional information. 

For questions or more information, please call (416) 674-8463 

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SHORT TERM MISSIONS APPLICATION 

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE ALL YOUR ANSWERS 

Place passport photo here 

(Please enclose a recent headshot photo or email it to the mission office) 

Application Date: __________________________________________________________________(MM/DD/YY) 

Destination (City, Country) ___________________________________________ Date of Trip ____________________ 

Name of Team Leader ______________________________________________ Church/Campus_________________ 

Group Name if applicable __________________________________________________________________________ 

Name: (Mr., Mrs., Miss) ____________________________________________________________________________ 

(as it appears on passport) LAST FIRST MIDDLE 

Home phone: ________________________________Work phone: _________________________________ 

Email address: ____________________________Cell phone: __________________________________ 

Address: (Please print as it should appear on a mailing label for your country) 

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Birth date: _____________________ (MM/DD/YY) Sex: Male Female 

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS 

Passport Number ________________________________________________ (Send a colour copy of your passport) 

Country of Issue ______________________________________Expiration Date ________/________/________ 

MM/DD/YY 

EMERGENCY CONTACT 

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ 

Contact Phone number: ________________________Relationship to you: ___________________________ 

Home Phone: ______________________________ Work Phone: ______________________________ 

Cell Phone: _________________________________ Email: ___________________________________ 

CHURCH BACKGROUND 

Current church _______________________________________________________________________ 

Address ____________________________________________________________________________ 

Address ___________________________________________________ Phone ___________________ 

Pastor’s name _______________________________________________ 

Is the Pastor/Minister of your local church body in agreement with your plans? Yes No 



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How long have you attended this church? ____________ 

Year(s) Month(s) 

What areas are you serving in at your church? ___________________________________________________________________ 

Are you a Catch The Fire World Changer Partner? Yes No 

SALVATION & CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE 

Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour? Yes No 

Are you willing to minister and serve consistent with Catch The Fire values and guidelines? 

Yes No 

Have you had Catch The Fire Ministry Team experience? 

Yes No 

What Catch The Fire training schools have you attended? __________________________________________________________ 

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION 

Employer’s Company Name_______________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________ 

Occupation: ______________________________________ 

I have secured vacation or a leave of absence from my employer for this trip. 

Yes No 

MISSION TRAINING/EXPERIENCE 

It is compulsory for you to have completed the mission training sessions prior to your trip with your Team Leader. 

Have you completed training sessions in the past? Yes No 

If you have previous missions experience, please describe when, where and your role on the mission team: 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

If you are fluent in any languages other than English, indicate which languages and your level of fluency 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Are you willing to submit to loving correction if necessary by your Team Leader? 

Yes No 

If married, does your spouse support your participation? 

Yes No 

Spouse’s name _________________________________________ 

GOALS: 

What are your expectations and goals during this mission trip? ______________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

SKILLS 

Indicate on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being lowest) your experience in the following skills. 

1. ______ Leading Songs 

2. ______ Leading worship services 

3. ______ Sharing your testimony/speaking 

4. ______ Administrative skills (office, bookkeeping) 

5. ______ Organizing games & sports 

6. ______ Photography 

7. ______ Teaching God’s word 



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8. ______ Medical (nurse/doctor/dentist) Please specify_____________________ 

9. ______Child Care 

10. _____ Handyman (carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical) 

11. _____ Repairing machinery, appliance repairs 

12. _____ Housework 

13. _____ Youth worker/leader 

14. _____ Sunday School teaching 

15. _____ Children’s group worker/camp counseling 

16. _____ Witnessing/Tract distribution 

17. _____ Electronics/Sound/Computer 

18. _____ Other_____________________________________________________ 

I, __________________________________, DECLARE THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY ME IN THIS APPLICATION IS 

TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. I AUTHORIZE CATCH THE FIRE TO VERIFY ANY 

AND ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE. 

SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________________ DATE____(mm)/____(dd)/____(Year) 

Important Note: 

Upon acceptance of your application information will be provided about one month prior to the mission that will include 

topics such as best practices, health and safety, security, rules and regulations for the team and cultural considerations for 

the destination country. If you are applying from a city/country other than Toronto/Canada, we will be able to offer you local 

training, web training or video training as an option. 

PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION AND DEPOSIT FORM TO 


272 Attwell Drive, 

Toronto, Ontario 

M9W6M3, Canada. 

OR FAX/EMAIL 

Fax: +1 416 674 8465 

Email: missions@catchthefire.com 



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DEPOSIT FORM 

A deposit will secure your place on the mission trip provided your application is reviewed and approved, if it is not, your deposit will 

be returned in full. Your deposit must accompany your application. Cheques may be made payable to Catch The Fire. 

I, ______________________________, wish to be considered as a Catch The Fire mission team member for 

________________________________(Destination country) on ___________________________(dates) 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 

I understand that the final payment of the trip fees must be made in CAD currency 30 days prior to departure. Payment must be 

made in full. Payment can be accepted in cash, cheque, MasterCard, Visa. 

Signature ______________________________________ Date ______________________________(MM/DD/YY) 

Enclosed is a cheque in the amount of $_____________ or please charge my Visa or Master Card 

Credit Card #________________________________Exp. Date _____________CVC# _____(3 digits on back) 

A Catch the Fire representative will contact you by phone or email after your application has been processed. Acceptance will be 

confirmed or denied shortly thereafter. Upon acceptance, you will receive a packet including information about trip preparation, 

obtaining a passport and/or visa, immunizations, etc. Please do not apply for a visa until you receive your acceptance packet. 

Special note regarding personal expenses: All personal expenses are your responsibility, i.e. additional personal transportation, 

supplies, phone calls, medical fees, gratuities, spending money, laundry expenses and meals enroute. 

Refund Policy: 

Mission trips can be a wondrous and Spirit filled adventure and by their very nature, involve locations where circumstances may 

suddenly change based on a series of reasons. Participating in a mission trip is a voluntary act and sometimes participants are not 

able to fulfill travelling on the mission trip. In such an event, each individual needs to be aware of our refund policy, should they 

need to cancel. 

Cancellations must be requested in writing (email or fax) in order to qualify for a refund once a booking has been made. 

Airfares: Refunds would be available according to your individual airline’s policies and your insurance coverage. 

Trip cancellation & medical insurance is required to cover unexpected occurrences. 

Internal Meals, Accommodations and Transport Once contracts have been signed it is difficult to provide a refund so the following 

scale will be adhered to: 

Prior to 60 days before departure a 75% refund is possible minus a $50 admin fee 

Prior to 30 days before departure a 50% refund is possible minus a $50 admin fee 

After 30 days before departure refunds are not possible 

Under no circumstances will there be any reimbursement for trip cancellation insurance, emergency medical insurance, 

vaccinations, or travel documents (passport, visa). 

All refunds will be processed in the currency of original transaction, and will be refunded in the manner of original payment. 

Please Note: 

Catch The Fire reserves the right to cancel a mission trip due to unforeseen circumstances at any time and will provide refund 

details according to the circumstances of the cancellation. 



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SHORT TERM MISSIONS INFORMATION 

Mission Teams 

Everyone on the trip functions within a team. We may divide the team into groups to minister to several churches/locations at the 

same time. Each person will be a part of a smaller team of about 6-8 people, including a team leader, to have meals, pray and share 

testimonies together. 

Ministry Conditions 

Some of the locations and accommodations you may encounter will likely be austere in comparison to what you are used to. The 

pace required on these trips can be rigorous, emotionally draining, and physically exhausting. Each team member must be able to 

stand for long periods of time, continuing to function autonomously, even under trying conditions. We ask that you be prepared, yet 

on the other hand, the rewards of being instrumental in God pouring out His Spirit on His people are immeasurable! 

Job Description 

The key words are flexibility and patience. Ministry meetings are often held in local churches, but sometimes are held in open-air 

arenas or large tents. Catch the Fire works side by side with local church and ministry leadership in submission to their authority. 

Meetings or mission objectives are subject to change at any time during a trip. Your work will entail employing your skills in 

innovative ways, sometimes on your own or with others, to teach, support and initiate programs. Please watch for testimonies that 

can be used at home for communication to encourage and minister to others. 

Mission Training 

It is essential that all team members attended pre-trip training sessions with their Team Leader prior to leaving, to pray and seek 

God together, to learn about cross-cultural differences, determine the projects you will engage in, expectations, rules and so on. 

Each trip will have different parameters but training is essential. 

Questions & Answers 

Q. Can I travel from another country and join with a Catch the Fire Team? 

A. Yes, with the permission of the Team Leader; however you must complete all of the listed documents, and complete pre-trip 

training (obtained from the Team Leader) prior to trip date. (see note below) 

Q. Can I travel on my own and not use Catch the Fire’s Travel Agent when the flight is included in the mission trip? 

A. Yes the mission Team Leader can authorize an exception for a team member to make his or her own travel arrangements (not 

use our travel agent) in the following cases: 

□ You are traveling to the host country from outside of the US or Canada 

□ You are using Frequent Flyer Miles 

□ You are authorized to use an Airline Employee Discount: and 

Note: If you qualify for one of the above, you must also understand that you will be responsible to get to the host city (this may 

include a connection fee in the host country) and be at the airport or hotel in the city/area where we are ministering at the time the 

rest of the team is arriving. If you are not at the airport during the time the other team members arrive, you will be responsible to 

connect up with the rest of the team and pay all costs associated with making this connection. If there are any internal flights, you 

will also be responsible to make these arrangements. 

Q. Can I upgrade my ticket to business or first class? 

A. Yes, you will however pay the difference in price of what the standard flight would cost. 

Q. Can I have a single room on the trip? 

A. Usually no, but exceptions can be made. Roommates are an important part of the trip and we don’t want you to miss out on that 

fellowship. The Team leader may make an exception depending on room availability. An additional cost will be incurred if approved. 

Q. Can I leave for the trip early or stay later than the rest of the team? 

A. It is not recommended. We prefer for everyone to travel and stay together. However, if it is an exposure trip or ministry trip 

without a tax benefit then allowances can be made. You would be completely responsible for all transportation, accommodations 

and expenses incurred if you elect to take this option. This must be approved by the Team Leader. 

Q. Can donors get a tax receipt for contributing to my mission trip? 

A. Canada Revenue Agency has strict rules for mission trips to qualify for a tax deduction. Donations directed to Catch The Fire to 

offset expenses for a church approved mission trip can generally be tax receipted. Donations must be directed to the charity, Catch 

The Fire and not to an individual. Catch The Fire can at its discretion allocate the funds to the mission trip. 

Q: Can we sign up as a group for the trip? 

A: YES! Catch the Fire welcomes groups on its international trips, whether a church, a ministry or it is simply a group of friends. We 

ask that all payments to our office be done individually. If the church or ministry is making a payment toward one or more 

individuals, be sure that it is clear exactly how much each person’s account should be credited. You will be able to choose 

roommates if you wish by contacting our office 3 weeks prior to the trip in insure your request. On the trip, we do form “teams” with 

team leaders. Our experience on past trips has taught us that it is better if we mix up your group with others on the trip instead of 

your group forming its own team. Married couples are placed on the same team. 



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Short Term Missions 

LETTER TO PASTOR 

Dear Pastor, 

At Catch the Fire we organize several mission trips per year. A person from your congregation who wishes to 

attend one of these trips has given you this form for your endorsement. 

The missions experience is designed for those who desire to be used by God to bring His presence outside 

the walls of the church. We focus on areas where there is a high need and bring the healing presence of God 

to these countries. 

With this in mind we would be grateful if you could complete the attached reference form so we can assess if 

this missions trip is suitable for the applicant. All information on this form is confidential. 

We are looking forward to hearing from you. 

In the Father’s Love, 

Steve & Sandra Long 

Vice Presidents Catch the Fire 

Senior Pastors Catch The Fire Toronto 



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Short Term Missions PASTOR Reference Form (Confidential) 

To be completed by applicant 

Name: ______________________________________________________________________ 

Pastor’s Name: _______________________________________________________________ 

Home Church : ________________________________________________________________ 

Denomination: ________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ______________________________________________________________________ 

Home phone: _____________________________Work phone: ___________________________ 

Email address: _________________________ Fax: ____________________________________ 

To be completed by Pastor 

1) How long have you known the person? ____ Month(s) ____Year(s) 

2) How well do you know the applicant? __ Very well __ Well __ Casually __ By Sight Only 

Comments: ____________________________________________________ 

3) Have you released the applicant to minister in your church? (If not, please explain why) 

_________________________________________________________________________ 

4) What leadership role(s) does the applicant fulfill in the church? 

___________________________________________________________________________________ 

5) How long has the applicant been serving in this/these roles? 

___________________________________________________________________________________ 

6) Overall, what do you consider to be the applicant’s strongest characteristics? 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

7) Are you aware of any significant character challenges? (Please describe) 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

8) Do you have any reservations about the applicant attending this mission’s trip at this time? 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

To the best of my knowledge the above information is correct. 

Signature ______________________________ 

Date _______________________(MM/DD/YY) 

Thank you for your time and help with this application. 

Please direct this form to: 


272 Attwell Dr. 

Toronto, Ontario, 

Canada. M9W 6M3 

or fax (416) 674-8465 

Attention: Missions/Events Department 



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Short Term Mission Participant Handbook - Catch the Fire

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