FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's) ABOUT C-QUEST

 

To better understand the recent changes with C-Quest, we've provided answers to some questions that may help to clarify what's happening behind the scenes.  We are excited about the new direction and the way in which God is moving down here in the Yucatan!  If you still have questions, please contact us anytime.  We'd love to chat with you!

 

WHY IS C-QUEST MAKING THIS CHANGE?

In late 2015 we began to work alongside Children's Camps International (CCI) when they asked us to assist them in expanding into Mexico.  We strategized an approach that we thought would work well in Mexico for reaching kids for Christ and assisting churches to grow.  CCI sponsored the addition of two fully-equipped CampQuest trailers for us to use with this program.  The immediate response by the Mexican churches was highly encouraging to say the least!.  Interest and momentum in the CampQuest program continued to grow.  As the year progressed, we felt the Lord leading us in the direction of a stronger partnership with CCI and as their methodology of evangelism and discipleship aligned with our mandate. In fact, it mirrored the model that C-Quest was already using with its short-term teams. We saw the potential for growth and the ability to run the program independent of C-Quest's short-term mission program.  Following a meeting with 25 churches where the CampQuest program was introduced, the hosting pastor asked which churches would be interested in getting trained in how to run the CampQuest programs...ALL 25 churches responded, "YES!"  The hook was set!  As our relationship with CCI grew, both organizations saw the benefits of working more closely together, so we continued discussions about what that might look like.  And here we are!  

 

WHY THE SHIFT AWAY FROM CAPITAL PROJECTS?

One of the big issues to address before we decided to make the shift to CCI was, what to do about the capital projects that we were already involved in. CCI does not typically invest in capital projects in the countries where they operate.  They are all about investing in churches and reaching kids for Christ. Their desire to utilize every dollar for maximum impact was one of the things that drew us to CCI.  Prior to our discussions about joining CCI, C-Quest staff had already begun discussing our approach to capital projects and whether it "fit" with our DNA.  We felt a strong commitment to honor our existing projects, and fulfill the desires of the donors who gave to these projects, so without hesitation we agreed to honor our current committments, but not take on any future capital projects.  

 

WILL C-QUEST STILL BE INVOLVED IN "LOVE-IN-ACTION" INITIATIVES?

Of course!  We always have our radar tuned to opportunities where we can help better the lives of the underprivileged in the Yucatan.  These LIA projects provide our ministry and our short-term mission teams with opportunites to demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways.  We have donors who have expressed a desire to contribute to certain on-going LIA projects and we will gladly continue this aspect of our ministry.

 

HOW DOES THIS CHANGE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH C-QUEST'S EXISTING PARTNERS (PASTORS MIGUEL, GAMA AND RICARDO)?

Not a lot!  We will still support our three main Mexican partners any way we can.  If fact, this change will enable us to devote more time and energy to assiting them in growing their churches and reaching the people in their communities. Our short-term teams will still serve alongside our partners and will even assist with light-project work as needs arise with our partner's ministries. The only thing we won't be doing is assisting them in their major capital projects.

 

WILL C-QUEST STILL HOST SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS?

Definitely!  Our short-term mission program will continue as usual...in fact, the shift to more focus on the CampQuest program now gives us another vibrant progran where we can plug our teams into when they are serving with us.

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO CONTINUE (OR START) DONATING TO C-QUEST?

CCI has their own charitable status and is a recognized member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC).  They have the ability to process donations and issue tax receipts in Canada and the USA.  Since they are now our "parent", all donations to C-Quest will need to be sent to them to be processed.  Please indicate that the donation is for C-Quest when you donate so that they can more easily track their donations. CCI's complete contact info can be found on their website here http://ccicamps.com/index.php/contact-us/.  CCI also has the capability of accepting donations online on their website www.ccicamps.com.

 

We want to thank The Great Commission Foundation for assisting us since our inception.  If you are a current donor and need to redirect your giving to CCI, please contact TGCF prior to June 1, 2017 so that the transition can be completed as soon as possible.  TGCF's contact info can be found on their website www.tgcfcanada.org.

 

WHAT IS CAMPQUEST?

CampQuest is our approach to running day-camps for kids and helping churches grow through the process.  It begins with a day of training for any churches interested in running a CampQuest event.  Churches are encouraged to bring all of their key leadership to the training day as a prerequisite to using the CampQuest trailers and equipment.  Each trailer is equipped with everything needed for running a camp, including a sound system, sports equipment, tables and chairs, four canopies for shade and rain protection, puppets, a 12-foot movie screen and projector, and much, much more.  Following the training, churches then reserve a trailer for the days that they are interested in running an event...usually 2-5 days.  When the time comes, we deliver the trailer to the event location, provide direction if required, and then pick up the trailer when the event is completed.  

 

One of the goals of this program is to empower the local churches to take ownership for their own events and for their growth.  Consequently, the camps are organized and operated by "staff" from the local churches.  Typically a camp will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with lunch provided by the church each day for the kids.  There is no cost for the kids to come to a CampQuest event...ever!

 

One of the conditions for churches to run CampQuest events, is that they need to commit to a weekly follow-up with each child that attends an event for at least a year after the event has run.  This connection could be in the form of a mid-week kid's event at the church, a phone call or personal visit by someone from the church.  The goal of this follow-up is to build a relationship with the child and encourage them to become part of the greater church family through the process.  The results from this model of church expansion in India is extraordinary.  Currently, India has over 10,000 churches waiting to be trained in the CCI methodology of running these camps!

 

You can learn more about CampQuest here.

 

HOW CAN I BEST SUPPORT THE NEW DIRECTION OF C-QUEST?

There are many ways to support our ministry.  

• Praying for us on a regular basis is the oil that keeps our engine greased. We can't thank you enough for your prayer support! 

• Supporting us financially is always appreciated.  Expansion efforts for the CampQuest program will require ongoing financial support.  

• Join us on a short-term mission team.  We'd love the opportunity to serve alongside you and others from your church, small group, family or workplace.