Some Qs & As
When does your Summer Missions & Ministry Training Experience begin and end?
Our Summer Rural Missions typically begin in mid-May and last for six intense, life-changing weeks.
I am looking for a ministry internship for the entire summer. Do you offer internships following your Summer Missions opportunities? Yes we do. R.A.M. can assist you in locating and negotiating ministry internships that work in conjunction with your R.A.M. summer mission. In addition to Ministry Internships, we also have limited opportunities for Vocational Internships. These are employment opportunities in secular fields with employers in the mission points where you will be doing your Summer Missions & Ministry Training. Like the Ministry Internships, these follow your R.A.M. missions experience, and are paid internships. Both internships typically last 6-8 weeks after your mission is completed.
What can I expect as a member of a RAM Summer Missions/Ministry Training team?
First, you will be personally introduced to the incredible needs and opportunities associated with building the Kingdom of God in the rural mission field. 50,000,000 Americans live in Rural America. It is a nation within a nation! RAM’s mission is to bring the grace and truth of Jesus Christ to this greatly overlooked mission field through His word and compassionate action. You will get a taste of this mission that we hope will turn into a hunger to do much more!
Secondly, you will experience ministry training that is extensive, intensive and spiritually transformative. RAM emphasizes 7 Practices of Ministry throughout your 30 day mission. You will experience these as you practice them in the field and discuss and explore them in discipleship groups and in your own personal devotionals and study time. These practices are: Perspective (Knowing the Scriptures), Power (Relying on the Holy Spirit), Service, Evangelism, Discipleship, Prayer, and most importantly, Being Still (before God).
Our teams come alongside ministry leaders and the churches they lead in partnership with their ministries in their local communities. What does this look like? It can be as diverse as painting a widow’s home to visiting inmates in the county jail. It is signing up children for VBS to leading one-on-one or group bible studies, to serving as counselors at church camp. When the Spirit is leading the possibilities are many and sometimes unexpected!
One thing you can most definitely expect during your 30 day Mission & Ministry Training experience is to learn how to live and minister outside your comfort zone and rely on God’s power to do it! When these two things intersect God is glorified (made manifest) and people come to know Jesus through your faith in action.
If there are multiple mission points, can I indicate a preference for a specific mission point? Yes. We will do our very best to accommodate your preference. However, keep in mind that our team selection process includes consideration of the needs of the communities where we will be on mission, and the unique talents of our student applicants. It is a prayerful and intentional process that we trust is led by the Holy Spirit.
Where will I be staying? RAM participants stay in the homes of members of host congregations. Your housing will be rent free, but some of the funds you raise will go towards utility expenses.
How much does it cost? Total cost of a 6 week mission is approximately $950. This covers living expenses, including food and transportation. It also includes cost of t-shirt, RAM Camp, book(s), other related study materials and spending money for miscellaneous expenses. Students who wish to raise additional funds towards school expenses in the Fall are free to do so.
What should I pack? Bring clothes for work, play, and worship services (casual). You will also need to bring toiletry items including a towel and wash rag. Bring your Bible and a notebook/computer for textual and personal studies. R.A.M. is not responsible for the loss or theft of any personal items.
How do I pay? Contributors can make checks payable to R.A.M. or Rural America Ministries. Please put the student’s name on the memo line. Mail to:
Rural America Ministries
P.O. Box 892537
Oklahoma City, OK 73189
Are contributions to my mission fund tax deductible? Yes. R.A.M. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization registered with the IRS.
How can I access money while serving on my mission? You will receive a weekly stipend to cover expenses for that week. If you have need of additional funds we recommend that you bring a debit card. Your weekly stipend will be direct deposited into your personal bank account.
How and when will I know if I have been accepted as a member of a team?
Students interested in our 6 week summer missions/ministry training experience must submit a completed application before being accepted. You must also pass a background check. There are limited spots so the sooner you can submit your application the better. We will notify you by phone or email of your acceptance as soon as possible after receipt of your application.
Is it true that I can earn college credit for my participation in RAM? We cooperate with your college or university to provide the necessary supervision for you to earn credit in accordance with your college or university’s academic guidelines. If you wish to pursue this, it is your responsibility to provide RAM the contact information of the Professor or university representative to coordinate this with.
What are your rules of behavior while participating in RAM’s Summer Missions/Ministry Training experience?
Your participation in RAM’s Summer Missions is a very unique opportunity to affect eternal change in the lives of people in the rural communities of America. You have incredible power of influence for good or bad. Every participant is urged to give sober and prayerful consideration to the magnitude of their example. Your conduct can be the difference between someone deciding to follow Jesus and finding eternal life or rejecting Him. Christian maturity is always mindful of this weight of responsibility. So whether it is your language, how you dress, your conduct between members of the opposite sex, or anything else, remember Jesus’ words, “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Let these words of Jesus guide your conduct at all times.
If you have additional questions, feel free to email us at raministries@live.com or call: 405.615.8792 or 405.334.7352.