Applying for a Position:

What is BSU Summer Missions?

Mississippi BSU coordinates summer opportunities for college students involved in BSU on their campus to serve alongside Southern Baptist career missionaries and church planters throughout the U.S. and around the world. Students go through an application and interview process, and are then appointed to serve between 4-9 weeks.

What are the requirements to serve?

Must be a growing follower of Jesus Christ that is spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy. Active in BSU on a Mississippi campus and in a local church, and committed to verbally sharing the gospel. Between 18-25 years of age, having completed at least 24 semester hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, prior to departure for the field. Committed to raising any necessary financial support required for service. Must complete the application and interview process outlined by Mississippi BSU. Must participate in Summer Missionary Learning Retreat at Camp Garaywa in the spring. Those serving outside the U.S., including Canada, must complete Sentinel Training. All students must complete MinistrySafe Training. Students serving on IMB assignments must complete "Safe & Secure Training" in their IMB portal.

Will I receive any financial help?

U.S. & Canada: Travel to and from the field and supplemental insurance are provided by the State BSU Missions Fund, if you are a member of an SBC church. Accommodations, meals, and local transportation are provided by the church or ministry requesting summer missionaries in MOST situations. Some assignments will require fundraising to supplement field cost. Students are responsible for baggage fees charged by airlines and personal spending money.

International: Each student is responsible for their airfare, field cost, insurance, visa (if required by the host country), Sentinel Training fee, and required vaccinations for their place of service. The cost varies with each assignment. Field cost information is listed with each job description. The State BSU Missions Fund provides scholarships to students who are members of an SBC church.

Non-Baptist students may apply and serve but are not eligible to receive financial assistance from the State BSU Missions Fund. Talk to your BSU Director for questions about this.

How do I apply for a Summer Missions scholarship?

All students receiving financial support from the BSU Missions Fund must attend the Missionary Learning Retreat in March. Students planning to serve outside of the U.S. must also participate in Sentinel Training (link provided in "requirements" above).

Do I have to be a member of a Baptist Church to serve?

No, you do not have to be a Baptist in order to serve. All student missionaries must be active members of their campus BSU. However, students who are not members of a Baptist Church will not receive a scholarship from the State BSU Missions Fund.

When do I need to talk to my parents?

Now! Remember that your parents are taking a step of faith, too. You need to give them time to think and pray about your decision. If parents have questions, have them call your BSU Director or the State BSU Office at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

What can I expect during my local and state interviews?

The primary purpose of the local and state interviews is to offer support and encouragement as you explore mission opportunities and seek God’s best for you. The interviewing committees will be comprised of BSU leaders who desire to see you placed in a position where you will thrive and grow in your walk with the Lord as you serve.

When will I be notified about my appointment?

U.S. & Canada: At the completion of state interviews, local BSU Directors will be notified of appointments made by the State BSU Missions Team. An appointment email will be sent to each student during the week following state interviews.

International: After the State BSU Office has reviewed completed application including three references, and following the student's campus interview and receipt of all required paperwork, students will be notified of their appointment by the State BSU Office.

Getting Ready to Go:

What can I do to prepare personally?

Develop your personal spiritual life and be involved in a ministry with people in your campus community. Your BSU Director will be more than willing to direct you to campus ministry opportunities if you are unsure of how to get started. Once you are appointed, you will begin hearing from your field supervisor about specific preparations related to your assignment.

What kind of training will be offered to Summer Missionaries?

A 2-day Missionary Learning Retreat will be held for Mississippi Baptist Student Missionaries. This will be held at Camp Garaywa, April 12-13, 2024. Participation is required. Additionally, missionary supervisors will conduct an orientation when students arrive on the field.

Who will handle my travel arrangements?

U.S./Canada: The Collegiate Ministry Department will handle all flight arrangements through an approved travel agent.

International: Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements. The IMB has a recommended travel agent. Upon assignment, you will receive information on how to contact them to secure your airline tickets. They can also assist you with visa processing. If you do not have a passport, you must apply for that immediately. It can take several months to process.

Is insurance provided?

Private major medical/health coverage is strongly recommended for all students. For students serving in the U.S. or Canada, a supplemental limited insurance policy will be purchased for you through Mississippi BSU. It will cover your deductible and other expenses not covered by your personal policy while on the field.

Students serving internationally are required to obtain insurance through Gallagher Charitable International Insurance. The State BSU Office will assist you in acquiring international insurance. This is comprehensive coverage, not just medical insurance, and the cost is $4.00 per day for IMB opportunities. All students should keep their current U.S. coverage while on the field, but U.S. policies do not cover emergency medical care overseas, emergency evacuation, or repatriation.

On the Mission Field:

What kind of supervision will I have?

All Mississippi BSU Summer Missionaries will be responsible to the MBCB Collegiate Ministries Department. Additionally, students will be responsible to their field supervisor. In the U.S. & Canada this will usually be a career missionary or local pastor. International supervisors will usually be career missionaries.

How long will I serve?

Length of service varies according to the request from the field. The specific dates for each location are indicated with the job description. Generally, summer missionaries serve 4-9 weeks between the end of May and early August.

Will I be serving alone or with a partner?

Most summer missionaries serve with at least one partner. Usually, several students will be assigned to serve together as a team. Partners/team members may come from Mississippi or other states.

Where will I live while on the field?

The field of service will be responsible for your living arrangements. These vary with location. The most common living arrangement for students serving in the U.S. or Canada is with church host families in the community where you are serving. Some students will stay in the home of their supervisor. Some will be assigned to an apartment to share with other student missionaries. Some will be required to move week by week from one location to another. Once a student is assigned, the field supervisor will communicate specifics regarding living arrangements.

Are visits by parents, family members, or friends permitted while I am on the field?

No. The term of service is a short period of time and visits to the field are a distraction to the work of the student missionary.

What if I need to come home during the summer?

Leaving the field of service during the summer is not encouraged. However, if there is a wedding or graduation that you MUST attend, you may ask the local supervisor if it is permissible. In some circumstances, a maximum 3-day trip home for such events may be approved at your personal expense. If you have a request for special accommodations, it must be addressed at the time of your interview and approved by the local supervisor.

What happens if there is an emergency?

Staff in our BSU State Office are available to students and parents at any time. If there is an emergency at home or on the field, we are always able to communicate with the students and their supervisors and will do whatever is necessary in that particular situation.