Parent Information
What's It Like to Be an SM Mom?
Beth Clark shares the experience of sending her son to Bolivia
Questions Parents Commonly Ask
Upon a student's return to Southern to complete their undergraduate degree they will receive a $1,500 SM scholarship if they meet the following criteria:
Before Serving
- Complete all steps of the application process
- Attend all sessions of the NOND-099 Student Missions Orientation Class and fulfill all requirements
- Attend the Student Missions Exit Retreat in its entirety
- Attend and participate in the SM Dedication Vespers Program
While Serving
- Spend at least 200 days in the mission field
- Honor your commitment to the “Dating Agreement”
- Complete the work assigned to you by your immediate supervisors
- Uphold a distinctly Seventh-day Adventist lifestyle
- Do not come under legitimate complaint or disciplinary action from sending organization, calling organization, or other relevant stakeholders
After Serving
- Attend the Student Missions Re-entry Retreat in its entirety
- Complete a Re-entry Interview
Once a student has graduated with a bachelor's degree the 6-credit courses are no longer available to them. If requested, we will provide a letter to the student that they can give to their loan company. This letter will explain that the student is going to serve and ask the loan company to provide whatever assistance is requested by that student. We cannot guarantee the loan company will be gracious and defer the loan repayments, but most graduates have had good success with their requests.
It is important for students and parents to accept that safety can never be guaranteed for student missionaries. Though our hometown of Chattanooga has inherent risks, traveling (especially internationally) generally involves additional risks. We attempt to give every student missionary as many tools as possible to do his or her job safely, and we vet our partner organizations to ensure students have the greatest chance of success possible. There is a required training for all outgoing SMs where safety, travel medicine, cultural issues, conflict management, mental health in the mission field, and other key topics are addressed. Though everyone is likely to encounter certain uncomfortable situations, we encourage students "when you have the choice, choose safely."
Domestic students are responsible for purchasing their own tickets.
- Accident and illness insurance (this policy does not cover pre-existing conditions or routine medical care)
- Personal loss insurance (e.g. stolen laptop)
- A small life insurance policy
It will depend on the administration and scheduled program of the mission location. Some projects are fully operational around the holidays, so students would need to find a different time to leave if desired. Your child will need to work out with their supervisor the feasibility and best time for a break before any travel arrangements are made. Please do not arrange the break to be for an excessive amount of time as the main focus of a student missionary's service period should be to serve.
Still have questions?
We know missions is a big step not only for students but also for their families. As other questions arise please do not hesitate to contact our team.