Frequently Asked Questions
What is a MAPS Team?
Missions Abroad Placement Service (MAPS) volunteers may assist a missionary in evangelism outreaches, literature distribution, youth and children's ministries or special projects. A "team" is two or more volunteers working with an Assemblies of God missionary.
Is there an age limit?
Minors between the ages of 14 and 17 are allowed to be recognized as part of a team. It is preferable that minors be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Children 13 and under are eligible to be part of the team, however, any expenses associated with a minor 13 and under will not be eligible for World Missions total giving credit.
Anyone traveling under the age of 18 must have a signed Parental Consent Form and overseas insurance coverage through AGWM. The original, notarized Parental Consent Form should be kept on hand by the team leader and taken on the trip. The team leader should send a copy to AGWM.
Minors under the age of 18 are allowed to travel without a parent or legal guardian although is is not advisable. The team leader is responsible to assign an adult to supervise the minor at all times throughout the duration of the trip.
Short-Term Missions Guidelines
To qualify and register as a team:
A team of two or more members.
Be invited by an appointed Assemblies of God World Missionary.
Complete team trip registration six months prior to departure.
Purchase the required AGWM insurance through GTL ($3.00 per day, per person, including dates of travel). This insurance is meant to supplement the team member's insurance; it is not intended as a replacement to the team members' insurance.
As mandated by the IRS, Team Leader submits Expense Report Form within 30 days of returning from the trip.
A qualifying AGWM team member will have met the following criteria:
Is a believer in good standing with a local church.
Has purchased the required AGWM insurance. GTL insurance coverage is not intended to replace the team member's current coverage but is in addition to their coverage. In case of a medical emergency or accident, the host missionary normally takes care of making the arrangements for medical treatment and/or evacuation with AGWM's assistance. AGWM has a long relationship with GTL due to their high standards and low cost. Therefore we require all teams to be insured through GTL. Has completed the TEAM registration process. Registration forms are due two months before departure and insurance forms are due one month before departure.
Has been screened through a background check and approved by either AGWM or the sponsoring team organizer (i.e. church, district, WM group) through a letter.
INSURANCE:
When does GTL insurance coverage begin and end?
Insurance coverage runs from midnight to midnight starting the day you leave the U.S. and ending the day you return, at the completion of your assignment.
What is the cost of GTL insurance?
The insurance premium is $3.00 per day per person. Medical Professional Liability coverage is also available.
Who should the GTL insurance check be made out to?
AGWM Please include 302959-2 (08) to the “memo line.”
Are the GTL insurance funds reimburseable?
Funds are not reimbursable for any TEAM or TEAM member processed by PMC for any GTL insurance premiums if they self-cancel their trip or self-adjust their travel dates and fail to notify AGWM prior to 14 days from departure, effective January 1, 2011.
New Volunteer Card for Team Members
What is a volunteer card? Verifies the cardholder has been screened according to the policies of The General Council of the Assemblies of God.
What is the purpose? To simplify the registration process for a missions team member. It also represents the insurance and legal forms already on file for you with AGWM.
How do I obtain a volunteer card? When you register through AGWM for a missions trip, you will automatically receive the volunteer card.
How do I use my volunteer card? Each time you register for a missions trip, the team leader will send a photocopy of your volunteer card to AGWM. AGWM will connect your identification number with your preexisting insurance forms and legal forms. This process will alleviate duplicating paperwork each time you take a missions trip. Your volunteer card expires five years after it is issued.
Do I need to take my volunteer card with me on the missions trip? No, you do not. Your volunteer card is for your personal reference. In fact, we ask that you avoid taking the card if you’re traveling to a sensitive country.