How can I get ready for STiM?Go on a Spring Break project. Work with international students on your campus. Develop your character through spiritual leadership roles in your fellowship. Talk with past STiMers or others who have done multi-week missions. Pray diligently for God's work in the world (especially specific missionaries and countries). Volunteer with a local ministry that serves your city. Make plans to attend Urbana '13.Can I do the STiM training and not do a summer project?No. The summer project is a critical part of the experience.Can I do a summer project without doing STiM?Yes. STiM is an awesome compliment to a summer project and will usually multiply the personal and spiritual transformation of the summer experience. However, STiM isn't for everyone and there are many IV projects (and other summer missions opportunities) that don't require STiM.What is the best year for me to do STiM?Usually your third year in college. We also accept 2nd-year-students and seniors. We are looking for students who have an appropriate spiritual and emotional maturity to thrive in intense ministry environments. Student leadership experience with InterVarsity is highly recommended.We will consider graduating seniors, however, keep in mind part of the mission of STiM is to cultivate the value of mission in our IV campus fellowships. In your application, please let us know how you hope to influence your fellowship with your experience even after you graduate. How seriously should I take the application process?Very. STiM is an intense program and we are looking for applicants who are ready to engage and responsible enough to be able to take advantage of the program.Time Commitment and TravelHow much time does STiM require?The weekends plus outside reading and assignments. We encourage you to think of it like having an extra 2-hour class the semester you're doing STiM. You should adjust your class and employment workload accordingly, or you'll find yourself stretched too thin to receive the full measure of the experience.We also require that you clear out your schedule on the Friday afternoons of STiM weekends to allow yourself time to travel to the conference and arrive by 7pm in Tehuacana, TX.
What if I can't make it for one of the weekends?Sorry, all of the weekends are mandatory to participate in STiM. We recommend doing STiM a different year, or just doing a summer project without the STiM component.PlacementCan I request a specific project?Yes. Our desire is to place you as closely as we can with your gifts, interests, and the needs around the world. Due to the many factors that we look for in placement, we are not always able to guarantee an applicant’s first preference.There are several organizations/projects that we have historically sent STiMers on because of our confidence in the quality of those projects and the relational blessing of having continuity in the places we serve. You can see some of those listed under the Summer Partnerships pages. If you have a strong interest in a different region of the world or a different kind of project, please contact the STiM directors, as we'd enjoy working with you to find a strong project that suits how God is calling you. Note: we will likely ask you to do some of your own research and recommend a specific organization/project for us to consider matching you with. How do you decide where to place people?In addition to your interests, calling, and maturity, we try to place STiMers in teams. We rarely send a STiMer on a project without at least one other STiMer.I'm training to be a doctor or an engineer. Can I do a project geared for my future profession?In the past we have been able to occasionally find projects in these professions. Keep in mind though, STiM is about building cross-cultural relationships and we will prioritize a project that provides you a great ministry experience over a project that provides you great work experience.Fund RaisingHow much money will I need to raise?We raise money together as a team to cover the cost of your summer project and the cost of the four-weekends of STiM training. That amount is usually about $4500.Other expenses that are not covered by the team's budget are immunizations (~$100), applying for a passport (~$100), and travel to your project's domestic orientation/departure city (~$250). What is team support raising?That means we're in it together. We will get a total budget for our whole team and then divide it among us. Some of us will go over and some of us will come up a little short, but we pursue it together with mutual encouragement and accountability. Once the team is funded, we're all funded.How is that possible?Through God, of course! You will be given training, encouragement and accountablity. It's hard work to develop a team of people who give financially and pray in order to send you. And it's worth it. Talk to your staff worker about your concerns. He or she raises money to do ministry. |