Quest FAQ

Application Process

Q: What if I have questions that I can't find the answers to?

A: Contact us about Quest.
Q: What is the application process like and how do I get started?

A: Each of the five founding partner ministries have their own systems for taking applications. You must choose a partner. If you already have a relationship with a ministry, choose that one. If you are a member of a Southern Baptist church, choose IMB. If you are interested in eventually doing Bible translation, choose Wycliffe. If you have completed a DTS, choose YWAM. You may also choose Transwold Radio (TWR) and Campus Crusade for Christ.
Q: Where would I be going?

A: Opportunities are available in Asia, South America, Europe, and Africa. We can't be more specific for security reasons.
Q: Can I start communicating with my supporters/family/friends about where I'll be going and what I'll be doing before I attend the training? (Security issues/risks?)

A: You will want as many people praying for you as possible but they don't need the details of the countries, cities, peoples and language(s) involved to pray effectively. For your safety please don't publish such details and please remind friends and churches to not post such details on their web sites unless you're specifically told you're going to a place where it is safe to talk about missions. Besides, there's always a chance your assignment may be altered before you complete your initial training.
Q: Where will training be and how much training will I have? What is involved in the initial training? What is the schedule like?

A: You will have a month of OneStory orientation in the field featuring storying and orality training and using the notebook computer assigned to your team. Then you go to live among your people. Every three to six months you'll come out of the people group for two to four weeks of the next phase of the ongoing training. See timeline. This is different from going to school to learn everything all at once. We train you “just in time” for each phase of your Quest.
Q: Is it possible to communicate with the teams already in the field or get on their mailing lists?

A: Check the home page of this Web site for news fresh from the field. Send an email to StoryRunners(at)ccci(dot)org . We can point you to one or more team blogs to allow you to tap into their experience and know how to pray for them.
Q: Do I need to raise my own support and, if so, how much will I be expected to raise?

A: All CCC, YWAM, Wycliffe and TWR workers raise approximately $1,500 per month plus $3,000 one-time to go on a Quest. If you've been a member of a Southern Baptist church for two years and are accepted by the IMB Journeyman Program or International Service Corps the IMB covers your expenses.
Q: Can I come home for my brother's wedding or Grandma's funeral?

A: It's not an “emergency” but in some circumstances you could be granted permission to leave the field during the 25 months of your Quest. Arrangements have been made to allow Questers to attend an important function back home. Also, your friends, family, and fellow church members are welcome to come and visit you!
Q: I have a love interest, and the relationship might get serious. What if I want to get engaged or married while on my quest?

A: With all the partners except Wycliffe, you must agree not to get engaged or married while on your two-year Quest. Another option would be to get married first and then go on a Quest after taking some time to establish your marriage. At least that way you would know who your partner is!
Q: Are there any limits on age, marital status, or children?

A: OneStory Quest is for single adults and married couples without dependent children. We have team members in their 20's, 30's, and 40's, and 50's, but most are younger. In most cases, this wouldn't be a good time to start having children.

Preparation

Q: What will I be required to do before training begins?

A: 1. Most are required to raise their own financial support. 2. It's a very good idea to learn and become familiar with our sample set of 33 Bible stories as you can to familiarize yourself with the art of storytelling (a lost art in most literate societies but still alive and well where you'll be going). 3. Come to training ready to start at full steam. This means taking care of any newsletter writing, emails, etc. that might be hanging over your head. Once training begins you will NOT have any time to catch up on work that you left for later before leaving the states.
Q: What do I need to bring to training?

A: Bring an adventurous spirit and a willing heart and only what you can physically carry yourself. Be prepared for mentally intense training sessions. Think of it like condensed post-graduate level learning.
Q: What will I be expected to bring with me to the field?

A: No more than a week's worth of clothes and toiletries. Women need to be aware that most cultures expect you to dress in public just as their own women do. Most things can and should be purchased on location (but for some reason peanut butter is one of those things that's hard to find overseas). Don't bring more than you can carry yourself - for most people, this means two bags and a backpack - or you will always be dependent on someone else to haul your stuff through the airports, bus stations, towns and villages you visit.
Q: Can I find out who my teammates will be before training so I can communicate with them?

A: Quest teams are almost always two people. We'll try to connect you with your intended partner. Last minute changes are always a possibility but there's no harm in getting to know someone who should be in the same training classes as you. If you are married, then you already know your partner very well.
Q: What will I need to take care of before leaving the US and heading to the field?

A: While you're raising support you'll need to get a passport, visas and the proper immunizations. Start now because this takes months. 1. Passport: If you already have a passport make sure it is valid for three years beyond the start of your Quest. You may need a new passport or an extension. If you have anything in your passport dealing with Israel contact your manager to see if you need a replacement. 2. Visas: Some countries require special stamps with the visa to get into certain areas of the country. It's often wise to apply for a long (5-10 year) multi-entry visa. Ask your project manager about this. Also ask if it's best to use tourist or business visas for the countries you're going to. 3. Immunizations: You'll probably be advised by your project manager to have current vaccinations for common preventable diseases: yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, measles, cholera, polio, tetanus and rabies. For recommendations by country try IMB's MedInfo and select the "ISC" option.
Q: Do you recommend any reading/visual/audio material for cross-cultural training, spiritual growth, conflict resolution, etc., before coming to and during initial training?

A: We highly suggest you watch Dr. Grant Lovejoy's lectures on Orality and read Making Disciples of Oral Learners (a printed version only costs $4.95 or you can download the free PDF ). Very soon the audiobook will be available from StoryRunners.com. Visit Church Planting Movements for books both for sale and free. Read up on the religion you might be going to or spend time in a comparative religions text that covers the Big Four: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Animism. Listening and learning several of the stories in this sample 33 story set is worthwhile.

Life on the Field

Q: What will I be doing for two years? What will the schedule look like?

A: See timeline. Regular training times are designed to prepare you “just in time” for the work among your people group.
Q: How much involvement will there be with the people group that I will be working with?

A: You will live and eat with them, dress like them and immerse yourself in their language and culture as much as possible. You will spend up to three months at a time working directly among your group for a total of about 19 months during your 25 month Quest.
Q: Will I be the one telling the stories to my people group?

A: Not directly. You'll be working with a few mother tongue storyers from the people group who speak the language and know how to craft stories in the appropriate local styles. You help the storyers learn the Bible stories, and they will tell and spread the stories long after you are gone. One of your project outcomes is to see reproducing churches started among your people group, and you can't do that by telling stories yourself! You are the bridge allowing God's word to enter the local culture.
Q: What kind of electricity will I have in the field? Will it be 220 volts or 110 volts?

A: Most electricity overseas is 220V (or at least it's supposed to be.) We show teams how and why to depend on a step-down transformer and surge suppressor to protect sensitive electronics (even those devices that are “rated” for 110V up to 220V.) If you bring things you want to plug in you may buy an additional step-down transformer.

Technology

Q: Do I need to bring my own computer or any other equipment?

A: Almost every team is given a notebook computer with all the software installed to do language learning, storying preparation, Bible research, e-mail, Internet, etc. A year into the project you are given a microphone and other audio gear to record the stories your helpers are crafting and learning. You should not buy a computer for a project without approval from your OneStory project manager.
Q: Can I bring my own computer? Will I use that for the project?

A: Many Questers choose to bring their own notebook computer but it is not necessary. Consider the responsibility of carrying a second notebook around for two years. You could use a second computer for work, but we can't install ministry software on a notebook that the ministry doesn't own for licensing reasons. (You'd have to pay to have these programs on your own computer.) We can't provide technical support for personal hardware either! One upside to bringing your own computer is being able to install software that we don't permit on ministry computers such as Instant Messenger, Skype, Google Desktop 3, iTunes, etc.
Q: How much technical background do I need for this ministry? Will I be able to function if I don't have that much of a technical background?

A: You'll only need basic familiarity with a PC running Windows before training begins. Experience with a word processor and spreadsheet is useful. We will train you how to do essential functions such as accessing your secure email and recording and editing audio.
Q: I have lots of pictures, music and email that I have to bring with me. How can I get it on the OneStory computer? Can you do that for me?

A: You're encouraged to have some personal music and photos on your OneStory computer. However if the hard drive starts to fill up with work data some of your personal files may need to move to make room. Good news: the notebooks we issue can burn DVDs and CDs to back up personal photos and music. Email is a little bit harder to set up but it's possible (but not guaranteed) that your archived messages can be on your team notebook computer. Outlook Express is often problematic.
Q: I have a digital camera and a PDA; will I be able to install the software for them on the OneStory computer?

A: Drivers to operate such gear won't be a problem to install. Just assume that at some point your computer will have a problem that requires completely erasing and restoring the hard drives. You will need to bring those CDs with you to reinstall those drivers again. To safeguard your originals make a copy of those CDs to bring with you and leave the originals at home.
Q: Will my partner and I each receive a computer? Will we have to share one? If we have to share, will all our personal stuff fit?

A: You will share the ministry computer with your partner. You can each use a few Gigabytes of space on the hard drive for personal files. Bring as much as you want to carry on CDs or a personal external hard drive but be aware that the internal drive has limits.
Q: What kinds of programs will I be working with for the computer/recording equipment?

A: In your day to day operations you can expect to use Microsoft Office 2003 (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Excel, Publisher) so it would be good for you to become familiar with the above programs before training. For audio recording/editing you'll use Steinberg's WaveLab. You will also use simple yet powerful encryption programs to secure all sensitive ministry data (photos, email, documents, manuals, address lists, etc.).
Q: Will I have Internet access?

A: Yes, but not necessarily the way you're used to. Think dial-up or less. Depending on where you are you may send and receive e-mail once a week or once a month. You may be working in pretty remote places. Not every team can get on-line whenever they choose and even if access is available it doesn't always work. You may have the adventurous challenge of traveling several hours to get on-line.
Q: I have favorite programs and games. should I bring the disks to install them on the OneStory computer?

A: You can always install drivers for your peripherals (such as PDAs, Printers, and Cameras.) Not all programs “play well with others” and some of your favorites might interfere with OneStory's critical systems. Your team's computer is ministry property and we've worked very hard to assemble the set of software installed. It's a ministry computer first, not your personal gaming platform.
Q: How secure are online email services like Yahoo, Google, etc.? Will I be able to communicate securely with my partners, family, and friends from the field?

A: Initial training covers this topic in detail. There is little or no privacy or security with free (or even most paid) email services. You'll want to have an account with a free email provider like Yahoo or Gmail as an emergency backup, but normal traffic will go through the account we set up for you on your team's computer. Of course all the security in the world does you no good if you have friends and family who email or publish sensitive information like the name of your people group and location.