Missions on the Frontline
a ministry of WorldVenture
Journey Corps Update. Who, What, When, Where.
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SHOW SUMMARY An update from Director, Jim Copeland on the Who, What, When and Wheres of Journey Corps Today.SHOW NOTES MOF_2010_01_13_JCUpdate-web_nvr.mp3 |
SHOW TRANSCRIPT |
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JIM COPELAND: Thanks, its good to be here.
HANS FINZEL: Jim has been with WV for a few years and we have recently appointed him as the leader of our brand new ministry Journey Corps. So let’s get right into this. What is Journey Corps?
JIM COPELAND: Well, Journey Corps is a one- and two-year cross-cultural service ministry that’s designed for young adults to go out and use whatever experience, gifts, or passion they have in an area that they’re interested in to serve and reach out and touch people with the love of Jesus. And they can do it through many activities, primarily tracts like medical, or sports ministry, etc…you could name your ministry. We have twenty tracts that we’re anticipating to go to. We’re starting with ten and those will cover a lot of areas that most young people are excited about or passionate about doing right now.
HANS FINZEL: I’ve heard that Journey Corps is sort of like a Christian Peace Corps. Would that be a fair description?
JIM COPELAND: I think it would be. You know there are some similarities and there are some differences. The similarities are, these kids are going to get a great chance to go out and get a lot of hands on experience in things they are passionate about doing. So that is where it is similar. We are not going to drop one or two people in a village somewhere alone to serve for two years though. So that’s where its probably a little different.
HANS FINZEL: So, its going to be a learning community, working together.
JIM COPELAND: Yes, they are going to live in community at our training center. And, as they acquire language, as they get a lay of the land, understand the culture, the things “not to do” and the “things to do”, then we start slowly releasing them out to do service. It may start out as a day project, and then go for a weekend in a village…to potentially living in a village for a week or up to thirty-days through that first year. We constantly bring them back to get de-briefing…to do formal training in theology and missions, and leadership. And then continuing to send them out for longer and longer periods of time of service.
HANS FINZEL: So, what makes this different than a normal short-term mission trip, is that there is a real strong educational component.
JIM COPELAND: There is.
HANS FINZEL: I like that.
JIM COPELAND: Yes, we’re going to be teaching. Basically, we’ve got at least five intensives that we are doing on theology. With the project, we are basically trying to get them to write their own statement of faith when they are done. So they really understand what they believe the scripture says, and it is their’s, they own it and they get to apply it as they go out. The next one is more of a practical theology…now what do you do with this information? How do you live it out? We’ll be doing sort of a Missions 101 basic on missions practices…understanding culture. Then, the second one we’re hoping is more of a cultural anthropology, learning how to study cultures…learn from the culture, so that you know how to go out and, like I say, ‘do no harm, but be able to serve well while you are out there’. And then we’ll do leadership training. It’s all experience based, so there will be a formal piece, but then they will apply it in a real practical way as they go out and serve. The young people will be de-briefing as they come back. For instance, we will have every person that goes will lead their team at one point.
HANS FINZEL: Wow!
JIM COPELAND: The young people will get a chance to be de-briefed on how well they led. What was their leadership style, how well did they perform that style. You know, did they ask and solicit information from others. In other words, did they go after the collective IQ, or did they just dictate the day and go out because that’s how they are wired. And we can talk about…how did that feel? Was that good for the team…bad for the team? You know…so they really get a good chance to develop their leadership skills as well.
HANS FINZEL: How long do they sign up for this Journey Corps?
JIM COPELAND: They sign up for at least a year. It is twelve months to twenty-four months.
HANS FINZEL: So it’s a one- to two-year program.
JIM COPELAND: Exactly.
HANS FINZEL: And, by the way, you have a brand new website: www.myjourneycorps.com for more information. So, if you are listening today and you want to learn more about Journey Corps go to the website www.myjourneycorps.com. Now, what kind of young person is this designed for?
JIM COPELAND: Well, it’s designed for several. So the first one is for the kid that has graduated from high school. They may be eighteen or nineteen years old; they may have tried college for a year and found it just wasn’t their thing yet or maybe they weren’t ready for it. But they really want to make a difference. They want to use what passions they have, what skills or experience, or what little bit of education they have received so far and actually serve. A lot of them are just wanting to go out and do something, to make a difference in the world. This generation is passionate about changing the world. And so we want to capitalize on that. So that’s the first. The second is probably someone who has done an undergraduate degree in counseling, or who did an undergraduate degree in business, or whatever the case may be, and they are ready too to go out a serve for a year. Maybe the job market has been soft and they haven’t been able to get a job. So they are looking to get some hand’s on experience so they can leverage that maybe down the road for a job. And they have a heart to serve as well. They’re passionate about doing that and they are willing to go for a year or two-years. So that is the next one. The third one is probably those young people who have an inter-cultural studies degree, who know they are going to the mission field. They are very focused on what they are going to do in the mission field and this tract system we have put into place fits them. They are willing to go and do it for a year, and they don’t have to make a life-time commitment yet. They can go out and serve for two years and it helps affirm what God is doing in their life and their calling toward missions. Now they have done it, they have the experience, they’ve lived there for one or two years, they kind of “get-it”, and now they can go on to their next step.
HANS FINZEL: So, kind of a “taste and see” approach to missions. I can really relate. My daughter, I have four kids, but my daughter went through about a year and a half of college and just hated it. I mean I was just wasting my money and she quit and now she is with a similar kind of ministry. It was just the perfect thing for her. She’s twenty-one years old and she’s finding herself. So if you have kids or grandkids that you think, ‘Wow, this might be perfect for them’, go to www.myjourneycorps.com for more information and check out this brand new ministry Journey Corps. Now, in case you are just joining us, this is Hans Finzel, president of WorldVenture based in Littleton, Colorado. And you are listening to Missions on the Frontline and I’m with Dr. Jim Copeland today who is the Director of Journey Corps. Jim, let’s talk about money. What does it take financially and how does that work, because we don’t actually hire people.
JIM COPELAND: Exactly.
HANS FINZEL: What kind of money is involved and how does that work?
JIM COPELAND: Well, right now each participant will raise their own support. It is going to be on a monthly basis. They will raise about $1500.00 (fifteen-hundred dollars) a month that will cover everything for them…getting them there, it will cover their visas, their tickets going, shots if they want it to if they haven’t already had them. It will basically get them to the field with all the training and preparation of raising support as well, and orientation. It will take care of all of their on-field expenses: room, board, food, housing. They will have funds to actually do ministry. So it covers basically everything, as well as getting them back.
HANS FINZEL: So, fifteen-hundred a month, or $18,000 for a year they can get to the field. That’s actually cheaper than college when you consider tuition, room, and board. They can raise that on a monthly basis or as a lump sum. So, for two years that would be $32,000 (thirty-two thousand). WorldVenture is a faith mission so our missionaries are called to serve God and then they discover their support, they raise their funds. So that is how it works financially. Let’s talk about the location. We’re pretty excited about where this first project is going to happen. You want to tell us about that?
JIM COPELAND: Yes, the first training session is in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, Ivory Coast. It is a fantastic thirty-two acre, beautiful facility that was, for thirty years, used as one of the premier boarding schools of west Africa or maybe all of Africa. It has been pristinely maintained. So it is in great shape. We will use that as the center, the hub of the formal training and the in-formal training that will take place as the young people come in. The first ninety days is an emergence…it will be the “hang-out” as they get to know each other as a live-in community…learn and develop spiritual disciplines. It will take them out into the field for longer and longer periods of time. As a facility, It has everything. It’s got a state of the art multi-million dollar gymnasium, it’s got soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts. Its got a lot of ability to just relax and have downtime. We want to create a little coffee-shop they can be more familiar with so they can ‘hang there’. Bouaké itself is the second largest city in Côte d’Ivoire. Its about in the middle of the country. The country itself is about the size of the state of New Mexico. And, if you can image, right smack in the middle is Bouaké and a big lake. If you go on-line and look up on the map, you will see a big lake near Bouaké. Bouaké is the second largest city. It’s got pretty much all the infra-structure you want. It has a university in town where we will have ministry with those students. It’s one of the few places that I know in all of Africa, that actually has broad-band internet, which is a shock in and of itself. So, it’s got some great infra-structure… great restaurants. Its just a really pristine place. As a matter of fact, they sought out this location when they originally built the school because of the beauty of the hills. It’s just a beautiful little place.
HANS FINZEL: I’ve been there and it truly is beautiful. And it’s a great way to experience Africa. Some of our listeners may have just joined us, so let’s go back and review some of the basics of Journey Corp. Give us a run through of what it is…
JIM COPELAND: You bet. Well, first of all it is a ministry that is one- to two-years that focuses on young adults using the gifts and passion that God has given them, with their education, to serve. We are going to serve primarily in Côte d’Ivoire, but in that whole west Africa region as well. There is just an incredible need. We have a great ministry going on. Everything from hospitals, dispensaries, a Bible College. We’ve got a radio program. We’ve got a dynamic church that is growing with some four-hundred churches now. Only a hundred pastors are trained, so we need more training of young pastors. There are building projects, roofs that need to be put on churches. There’s translation work going on there…just an enormous amount of ministry. And that’s just what we are involved with right now. We are continuing to network with other missions and ministry that are taking place as well, so we will have a robust series of tracts that kids can go through and serve. So its primarily, service really to the nation.
HANS FINZEL: You know, we’ve been working there in Africa for sixty years and it is exciting to see how God has raised up the Church in Ivory Coast and a lot of the people speak English. Of course if you speak French, that would be a great plus. And if you have any medical interest and medical background, or desire a future in medicine, we have the best hospital in the whole country that we run not too far from there. We have a dispensary, a clinic…so what a great place to plant this new ministry.
JIM COPELAND: You bet. Yes, again, it’s got plenty of ministry that’s got to be done. That’s what is most exciting about it. Since that is sort of the centerpiece of the ministry itself… to go out and serve others… that opens up a lot of possibilities. In addition to that, we say that we want three outcomes for these young adults. The first is that they will be lovers of Jesus, that they would fall passionately in love with Christ, His Story, and proclaim it every where they go. So, we are going to live in community, understand what that community vibe looks like, and how to live it out day-in and day-out. And, as we go out, how to live it out as well. The second thing is that they will become life-long learners. We want them to be learners of culture, and language and passionate about those kinds of things, as well as, going out and learning how to serve others. You know our young people will go out and immediately find things that they think they can fix. Well, some of those things don’t need fixing. Some of it is just learning the culture and coming along side the people, the nationals there, and helping them, serving alongside them…just being there… transferring the skills that they may have to the nationals. Those are the kinds of things they want. The last thing is that we want them to become leaders. So that’s why there is real experience-based leadership being drilled down. They all get a chance to lead the team at different times throughout their year there. And again, those three objects, we think, will really prepare them for whatever their next step is. Whether its coming back into missions…or whether is coming back home. Just being missional, praying for missionaries, giving to missionaries, sending missionaries…that’s sort of the objectives that we have in mind. And then, of course, to use that leadership skill they have learned to make a difference around the world.
HANS FINZEL: That is so cool … Lovers of Jesus, Life-long learners, and Leaders. Awesome outcomes. What can they find on that website? Tell us about your website.
JIM COPELAND: We’ve built it fairly basic, you know…who, what, where, when, why … is sort of the outline of the whole thing. They will figure out if they fit. Are they twenty-two to thirty years of age? Those are soft numbers…its not like the “cut-off” … so at thirty-three you can still go….
HANS FINZEL: So generally if you are twenty-something you can still go.
JIM COPELAND: The twenty-something’s is our target area… and they can be college graduates or those that maybe tried college… those gap years…
HANS FINZEL: Yes, those gap-years are the big thing…
JIM COPELAND: Right now, there’s a lot of… as you said about your daughter… there’s a lot of kids that go for a year of school, realize that it is not a fit for them… maybe they are not ready yet, or whatever the case may be. This gives them a chance to go and do something for a year that really will build them and speak into their life and better prepare them for whatever is next. Again, they can be college graduates. They can be single or married, which is another new thing…they can go as a couple. Now, they will both have to participate fully in the program, but that is sort of an exciting possibility. There are a lot of young married couples that both have finished school… and for some, that didn’t finish school… and so they can fit into this as well. As long as they are willing to go and serve people that is really the criteria. And then be willing to go out for obviously two years, and raise their support. Those are sort of the primary things.
HANS FINZEL: What about the “when”? Because you have a time-table for launching this.
JIM COPELAND: Yes, we are taking applications right now. They can go to our website and get to the “when” and link right from there and get started. It’s a fairly simple process. It takes about thirty days to get through the whole thing.
HANS FINZEL: And that’s www.myjourneycorps.com
JIM COPELAND: Yes, we are going to have students, young people…that will be going twice a year…in September and in March. Basically every six months they can jump in and go. That gives us a chance to spread it out over the whole year. They can start applying right now for the fall 2010 group going out.
HANS FINZEL: So now is a good time to get going.
JIM COPELAND: Now is the perfect time…yes. That gives them the perfect time to get in, get their application, get cleared to go. And then we start mixing the team up, They get invited to the team, and then they have plenty of time to start raising support and insure they are fully funded thirty days prior to going.
HANS FINZEL: OK, so if somebody has some more questions they can go to the website. Can they communicate with somebody on that website? Will somebody get back to them with project information?
JIM COPELAND: Yes, there is contact information. They can get a hold of us and we will answer any questions they have. We are getting ready to load some more material onto the website so that…for instance…Frequently Asked Questions will be up there. We’ve got the tracts that are now being geared up … the ones we are saying are “Top Priority”. And then the ones that could be developed if, lets say, two or three young people get together and say ‘Hey, look. We’re really into clean water, fresh water, that kind of stuff…’. We will build the tract just for that. So again, they can do what they are passionate about doing. So, its on the radar screen. It may not be on the top ten…but we can make it the top ten if there is a group interested in doing it.
HANS FINZEL: I know that parents do have a lot of influence as to where their kids go to college in their twenties. If they would do a thing like this….what would you tell a parent why they should consider sending their kids on a Journey Corps?
JIM COPELAND: Well, first, I have two young boys in college…I would send them in a heartbeat because…I know…one: they are going to mature through the process. This is going to stretch them. This is going to help them depend on God daily. It is going to challenge them. It is going to help them understand how to live as a body of believers together in a sort of confined place at times. Then, its going to help them to really understand that this idea of service to others is a bedrock of our Christian faith, And so learning how to have that heart that is willing to serve and come alongside of people and just meet their needs, I think, it is going to stretch them. It’s going to challenge them…I think it is going to encourage their gifting…those things that God has already deposited in them. Now they have a chance to go and use it. It’s going to affirm their calling over the long haul. They are going to have a chance to see how God has designed them, created them…the gifts He has put in them, the passions that He has put into their life. And see how that could be …or direct them toward… their calling in life. And so, it is going to affirm that. It is going to give them a real sense of empowerment…and a real sense of accomplishment, because they are going to be out there making a difference. I always joke about this next generation wanting to change the world by Friday at noon. This gives them an actual chance to do it…though it won’t be by Friday noon, but it will be a chance to go and make a difference and really, make an incredible impact in their own lives. I think the key is they wind up changed when they come back…more focused. So if they spent a year in school and it wasn’t their thing…a year later they understand: One, the importance of maybe how school could be a good next step for them and they may be ready now. They might say ‘Hey, now I’m a little clearer on what I think God is calling me to do. ‘…understanding that schooling may be a part of that. Now they understand the urgency of getting that degree. So, it’s a great way to help them sort of figure life out.
HANS FINZEL: So, in case you are just joining us, this is Hans Finzel. You are listening to Missions on the Frontline and I am speaking today with Dr. Jim Copeland who is the Director of Journey Corps, a new and exciting short-term mission with WorldVenture. Go to the Website: myjourneycorp.com for more information. We just have a little bit of time left, Jim, what else would you like to share with our listeners about Journey Corps?
JIM COPELAND: Well, I think probably the key is, we’re ready now. We are needing to take applications now and get this first group to the ground and let them help shape the future of Journey Corps. We are sending in a team immediately to help get things ready….
HANS FINZEL: Kind of an advance team…
JIM COPELAND: Yes, kind of an Advance Team So if someone is struggling and saying, ‘I don’t want to wait until September to go and do something,’ they can start now. They can go out as sort of a small team to work with our leadership team that is on the ground to get the preparations…get everything ready to go…get the dorms set up and prepared for fifty or so kids coming in September.
HANS FINZEL: OK. And the project is going to take place in Bouaké, which is in the Ivory Coast, Côte d’Ivoire next fall. So the young people will have to raise about $1500 dollars a month. It is a one- or a two-year program; and it has an education component and service component. Again, I want to say that I love your three outcomes: To become lovers of Jesus, Life-long learners, and Leaders. How cool is that.
JIM COPELAND: It is.
HANS FINZEL: How many people are you hoping to have next September?
JIM COPELAND: We’re targeting to have fifty. Basically the dorms are set up to handle about forty-eight. So we’re trying to fill up a dorm and then a second dorm, as God allows. Really the goal for the numbers is that we have a good ratio of missionary mentors to participate…what we call ‘Journeyers’…so we have a good ratio so there can be a lot of mentoring, a lot of speaking into the lives of these young people. That really is the limitation. The number of leaders we can get on the ground will dictate how many kids we can take. But we’re targeting fifty right now.
HANS FINZEL: You’ve been to Africa several times in the last year. What do you think about Africa these days?
JIM COPELAND: You know, it is so rich in so many ways. I have never gone there and had an opportunity to minister to a nationals, Africans, where they have not just soaked up everything that we bring to the table. When I was there in Côte d’Ivoire two yeas ago, I met with nine national leaders and just having that experience of asking, ‘What do you want from us as western missionaries?’ They were, again, re-emphasizing the desperate need for skills to be transferred to them. Whether you go in and teach or preach, they are so receptive to it and so open to the gospel. It is one of the most exciting places. I can go preach somewhere in the United States today and you know they look like they are ready to fall off the pews…
HANS FINZEL: Exactly…or they are watching their watches, and thinking about where to go and have lunch…
JIM COPELAND: That is not the case in Africa. They are so desiring…they are just like sponges…they are going to soak up everything we can bring and transfer to them in terms of skills. So I just think the people are what make it one of the most exciting places on earth.
HANS FINZEL: It is. It is an exciting place and it’s ‘hot’ right now. Young people seem to be really drawn to Africa right now at this time in our history…
JIM COPELAND: They are. HANS FINZEL People talk a lot about the problems of Africa but there are just so many exciting developments happening. And God is raising up African leaders. This is our opportunity to invest in the Church in Africa.
JIM COPELAND: Yes.
HANS FINZEL: Well, thank you, Jim. We appreciate you being here and being on the show today.
JIM COPELAND: Thank you for having me.
HANS FINZEL: Again, the website for Journey Corps is www.myjourneycorps.com for more information. Thanks for listening. This has been Missions on the Frontline. We are here to expand your vision and make you aware of new and exciting ways you can be involved in missions around the world. And also, visit our website www.WorldVenture.com for more information and the latest news and updates. And, don’t forget to drop me a note. I would love to hear from you if you have any questions about missions. I would love to answer them either off-line or actually on the program. You can e-mail me, or us, at Frontline at WorldVenture.com This has been Hans Finzel, president of WorldVenture. See you next week on Missions on the Frontline.
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