Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the purpose of a Celebrate Jesus Mission?

Answer: Our goal is to help people find Jesus and the loving fellowship of your local church, while we provide “on-the-job training” on how to be a more effective witness for Christ. We see new Christians, ignited congregations and transformed team members. Young people receive calls to ministry, congregations are envisioned to reach their mission field, prayer life is deepened, and contacts and groundwork are laid for ongoing, effective outreach.

Q: What makes Celebrate Jesus so effective?
A: Prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the commitment of the Host Church congregation to prepare, lead and follow-up those reached during your outreach. The weeklong mission is merely the launch of new initiatives in outreach that will continue for years.

Q: What can really be accomplished in just a week?
A: Launch a new worship service, start a new Sunday school, launch a youth group, begin 12 outreaching small groups, reach 1000+ homes with a personal visit, increase worship attendance, share the gospel with 2000 people at a block party – all these are actual results of missions in the last few years. The key is the year-long planning and prayer that the Host Church undertakes in partnership with the Celebrate Jesus team. We like to see the planning process and the mission itself as the beginning of a new work that will still be effective a year later.

Host Church
Q: How do we invite a team to our church?

A:Obtain a Celebrate Jesus Invitation/Covenant for the mission scheduled in your area from our office and submit it with the $300 covenant fee by the deadline set for your particular area. We will then send you a Coordinator Info Sheet and the Mission Planning Tool to assist in setting goals and beginning preparation for the mission. We meet with your church leaders to hone the goals and the leaders of your Celebrate Jesus team will meet with you (dates TBA) to develop detailed plans for the week of mission.

Q: What will we do?
A: Every church’s mission is different. We provide materials and assistance to help you set goals, plan and develop a program, and prepare to follow up those reached during your mission.  (The “Mission Planning Tool” is sent after we have received your official covenant.)

Q: Who will make up the team coming to our church?
A: Six to fifteen committed Christian volunteers from around the country.  They are Christians of all ages, types and kinds. The size of the team depends on the goals you set, your congregation’s commitment and needs, and the number of appropriate team members available. They aren’t experts, but they are willing and committed to partnering with you to reach your congregation’s goals.

Q: What “method” of evangelism will be used?
A: There are many effective ways to reach people, and we work with your congregational leaders to plan a mission that will be effective, natural, and most likely to succeed given your community and congregational make-up. One of the most common methods used is servant evangelism, or acts of kindness, to help the teams and church members reach out to those in their community who are not yet churched. Celebrate Jesus uses an invitational rather than confrontational style of evangelism.

Random acts of kindness

• Giving out cold water at the beach or parks
• Giving out baked goods to businesses
• Umbrella service in the rain at shopping centers
• Servant evangelism
• Picking up the trash in a park or apartment complex
• Cleaning public restrooms
• Health screening

Relational evangelism

• Going door-to-door offering a gift and asking for prayer requests.

All of these types and many others (i.e. drama, music…) are used as an icebreaker to show the love of Christ. The Holy Spirit goes out before us to prepare the way. It is surprising how easy evangelism really is. If you want to know more about Servant Evangelism, go to the web site www.servantevangelism.com.

Q: What is the cost of the mission?
A: Administrative fees: A total of $1,000 in fees payable to Celebrate Jesus: $300 due with the Invitation/Covenant, $200 due with the Coordinator Info Sheet, $200 due with the Planning Tool, and a Training fee of $300. These are the only fees payable to Celebrate Jesus Inc. and the deadlines are indicated on your Covenant.

Mission Expenses: You agree to pay for all programs you plan. You have complete control of this total amount. In the past, churches have spent from $200 to $10,000 during the week of mission. However, the most effective missions are not necessarily the most costly.

Hospitality Expenses: Your obligation is to provide well-balanced nutritional meals, showers, and a clean floor for your mission team to sleep on. Team members travel to your church at their own expense and give a week of service to your church as a love offering for your church’s outreach.

Continued financial partnership: Please consider partnering with Celebrate Jesus by placing Celebrate Jesus in your yearly mission budget as part of your mission outreach and by sending members to serve on mission teams. Your continued financial and prayer support advances mission outreach in the future.

Team Members a.k.a. Missionaries
Q:Why should I go on mission?
A: Is God calling you? Do you have a burden to learn how to share   the love of Jesus with people who don’t know Him? If you come with a willing heart, God is waiting. A week on mission can change your life forever. Are you ready for the next stage in your Christian walk? Come on mission and let God work in and through you. You can make a difference on mission and, afterwards, in your church.

Q:What is provided for me?
A: The church you will be assigned to will provide three meals a day, daily showers, and a clean place to sleep at the church facilities.

Q:What do I have to bring?
A: Sleeping bag, (we recommend an air mattress since you may be sleeping on the floor), clothes for the week, church clothes for Sunday, Bible, journal, towels, bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, and anything else that might make your stay more comfortable.

Q: What is a team?
A: A team is a group of 6-15 ordinary Christians. There will be many teams needed for mission.

    Family Team starts at 5 years old with parent or legal guardian
    All Age Team, 16 years and up
    Youth Team, 13-18 years old

Q: Tell me about the teams. 
A: The majority of the teams are All Age. They offer a great time of bonding and learning what the different ages can bring to each other. Many people are pleasantly surprised at the depth and maturity of the young people. A Family Team includes children, teens and adults. These teams are especially effective for missions aimed at children and their families. The only difference on the Youth Team is the number of team members who are young people. The mission aims they serve may or may not be targeted at youth, but these teams are especially effective at mobilizing the congregation’s youth for community outreach.

Q: Will I be with people from my church?
A: Only two or three people from the same church will be assigned to the same team. The team bonds better when only a couple of people know one another.

Q: What if I don’t want to go by myself?
A: Not to worry; we ask on the application ‘who you would like to be on a team with’, and we try very hard to honor your request. But ultimately the Holy Spirit and the needs of the churches guide the team selections.

Q:Who will select the teams?
A: The staff at Celebrate Jesus selects the teams. They do this through much prayer and guidance by the Holy Spirit, understanding the needs of the churches and using applicant information.

Q:  How much does it cost?
A: $150 per person; additional members of the same family—$50 each.

Q:How do I sign up?
A: Complete the Application and return to the Celebrate Jesus office. A Pastoral Reference form will be sent to every applicant’s pastor and if applicant is younger than 18 years, a Parental Consent form must be filled out, notarized and returned. Each applicant (age 18 and up) must also complete a criminal records background check form.

Q:Who is in charge?
A: On every team there is a Team Leader and Team Pastor, both trained in Celebrate Jesus leadership. The people assigned to these positions may or may not be clergy, but are gifted in evangelizing and nurturing. The Team Leader has been working with the church and helps facilitate their mission goals. The Team Pastor will nurture, encourage and pastor the team. Another group is the oversight team that is in daily contact with the team and can get messages to each person. This team is available 24/7.