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 our national and international partners. Our partners include Southern Baptist career missionaries, church planters, and churches and ministries in pioneer areas. Students go through an application and interview process, and are then appointed to serve for the dates designated by the assignment. Most will serve between 6-9 weeks.

What are the requirements to serve?

Must be: a growing follower of Jesus Christ; spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy; active in BSU on a Mississippi campus and in a local Baptist or evangelical church; committed to verbally sharing the gospel; between 18-25 years of age, enrolled in college with at least 24 semester hours completed prior to departure for the field, with a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; committed to raising financial support required for service. The application and interview process outlined by Mississippi BSU must be completed. Full participation in the BSU Summer Missionary Learning Retreat at Camp Garaywa, from start to finish, is required. All summer missionaries must complete MinistrySafe training. Students serving outside the U.S., including Canada, must also complete Sentinel Training. Students serving on IMB assignments must complete all requirements in their IMB portal including "Safe & Secure Training."

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. 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 the airline and personal spending money.

International: Each student is responsible for their airfare, field cost, insurance, visa (if required by the host country), 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 each student.

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

You do not have to be a member of a Baptist church in order to serve and receive financial support. You must be active member in your campus BSU and in a Baptist or evangelical church. Some of our field partners do require that their summer missionaries be members of an SBC church. If an assignment you are interested in stipulates that requirement, you will be notified at the time of your application.

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 Associate Director of Collegiate Ministries at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

What can I expect during my local and state interviews?

The primary purpose of our local and state interviews is to offer support and encouragement as you explore mission opportunities and seek God’s best for you. Those conducting your interview will include BSU staff and campus 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: During the week following our state interview weekend, local BSU Directors will be notified of appointments made by the State BSU Missions Team. An appointment email will also be sent to each student.

International: After you have completed your campus interview and all required paperwork has been completed and submitted to the State BSU Office, the Associate Director of Collegiate Ministries will review your paperwork, including the 3 required references, confirm with the field supervisors, and notifiy you of your appointment.

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 Summer Missionary Learning Retreat will be held for Mississippi Baptist Student Missionaries on March 28-29, 2025, at Camp Garaywa in Clinton. Participation, from start to finish, is required. Additionally, supervisors will conduct moe specific orientation and training when students arrive on the field.

Who will handle my travel arrangements?

U.S./Canada: The Collegiate Ministries Department will handle all flight arrangements through an approved travel agent, and your ticket will be emailed to you well in advance of your departure for the field. Travel arrangements will not be finalized until after our Summer Missionary Learning Retreat where you will have an opportunity to review and approve your flight schedule.

International: The Collegiate Ministries Department will connect each student with IMB's recommended travel agent and you will then be responsible for working directly with the travel agent to finalize and purchase your ticket. 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 international medical insurance through Gallagher Charitable International Insurance. The State BSU Office will assist you in acquiring this insurance. It is a comprehensive policy and the cost is $4.00 per day. 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 6-9 weeks between May and 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 due to an emergency?

If there is a family emergency, arrangements will be made. The Collegiate Ministries Department is always available to assist you with those arrangements if a need arises.