In order to safeguard students, provide proper training for them, and facilitate their success on short-term mission trips, BVC has instituted trip experience. All students must successfully complete each level before participating in a trip of a higher level. Being involved in a trip does not in itself constitute successful completion; each student's trip experience will be evaluated individually before the student is permitted to advance to a higher level.

Experience

Experience One
These are teams with an emphasis on service and are generally geared to serving here in Grand Rapids at local area ministries, or they could be a weeklong trip to somewhere in or near the Midwest. This level is usually completed during middle school. High school students who haven't completed this level can arrange for 5 trips to inner-city ministries in addition to the mission training. This would be coordinated through the Director of Student Ministries and fulfill this experience requirement.

Experience Two
These are teams that have an emphasis on evangelism training with practical experience included. Generally they are somewhere in or near the Midwest and last about a week.

Experience Three
These are teams that have principally an evangelistic effort but can have a strong element of service also. They will most likely be cross-cultural and will generally be in the USA (i.e. Indian reservation or Inner city) or in a nearby country. They usually last a week.

Experience Four
These are teams that will have an evangelistic emphasis with a possible service project. They will have a higher degree of risk, as they will entail further travel to possibly much worse conditions. The normal trip will last about 2 weeks. Some trips require students to be over 18 years old.

Level Five
This is an approved internship with one of the BVC missionaries. It can last up to one year. Must be over 18 years old for this level.