Travel Polices

“For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.”   ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭

By faith and through prayer, we consider how to facilitate a life-changing summer for youth in Nashville and abroad.  We are committed to ensuring that those involved in our programming will have a safe and meaningful experience.

Our Commitment to Safety.

G.O.D. International follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and consults the U.S. State Department travel advisories for decisions related to international travel. 

MEASURES WE IMPLEMENT: 

• We continually monitor travel warnings issued by the CDC. If there is a level 4 warning issued for the destination country, or if there are travel restrictions in place by the U.S. or foreign governments, we will examine plausible options and make the safest and most reasonable decision as to how we will continue with (or potentially cancel) travel plans.

• We are registered with the U.S. State Department's Safe Traveler's Enrollment Program (STEP), and are receiving live updates regarding concerns surrounding Coronavirus or other relevant travel warnings. We will communicate pertinent updates as we receive them.

• Individual travelers have to undergo a health screening with their physician of choice prior to the trip beginning.

What Happens if We Have to Cancel?

• If the trip is canceled by the organization for any reason, all funds raised for a participant’s experience, less the initial deposit, can be held for a future trip for up to 1 year with the organization, including other programs like The Institute for GOD or Students Living a Mission. If the pending amount is not spent after 1 year, funds will be released to the organization. If participants choose to keep a credit within the organization, we will work with participants to find alternative locations and dates at no additional cost.  If participants do not participate in another trip with the organization after 1 year, remaining funds paid towards the trip will be used on a future organizational mission trip or project at the discretion of the board of directors.

  If participants choose to receive a cash refund, the refund will be provided for the amount remaining after the initial deposit and incurred trip costs. The organization will provide a check upon request directly to the participant.

  If cancellation occurs after plane tickets have been purchased, participants will have the option of keeping their airline credit towards a future trip with GOD International or attempting to receive a travel voucher in their name. Travel vouchers are not guaranteed as restrictions differ from airline to airline. If an individual opts to elect a travel voucher (which is not guaranteed), they will be invoiced for the number of hours required of GOD International staff to complete the transfer, capped at $250.  

Financial Safeguards

Intern applicants must pay their non-refundable deposit within 45 days of applying for the trip. Failure to do so will result in removal from the official trip roster. Summer interns who do not complete their first three payments 45 days before the trip begins will lose their spot on the official trip roster. 

If an intern has not completed their first three payments within 45 days of the trip start date and still wishes to participate: interns must provide their plan for meeting their costs to the Summer Internship staff. A signature of a summer internship staff member is required for an exception to this rule. 

This policy protects GOD International from purchasing airline tickets for a student who cannot reasonably pay for their mission experience.

Join Us In Prayer

As God’s people, it is our responsibility to consider the well-being of others by taking extra precautions toward health and safety. We are committed to practicing wisdom and diligence as we continue to plan and make decisions regarding our summer of service. Our pursuit is God’s Kingdom and being in right standing before Him. We understand the safety and well-being of both participants and our team as part of that pursuit. We are praying for a summer full of health, service, and the presence of God working in our midst. God is still at work, and so are we! 

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Proverbs‬ ‭9:10‬ 

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns to lkagay@godintl.org.