Students & Twenty-somethings
Who are we looking for?
Are you thinking long-term missions might be for you but just aren't sure? Have you wondered if you could be the one to take the Gospel to someone who has never heard it? Maybe you have wondered more specifically–how will I get the money…will my parents be okay with my going to that part of the world…I have only been on short-term trips to South America, will it be safe…or many other questions. If this is you, then Café 1040 is for you!
We want young people (18-28) who are actively growing Christians, who are leaders among their friends, and who are seeking to know some hands-on answers to what life overseas might look like. You will need to be adventurous, open to learning, flexible, and ready to be challenged spiritually, mentally, and physically!
Student FAQs
When do you go?
Click here for Deployment Dates.
Where do you go?
For security reasons we can't actually tell you the countries where we are located until you are further in the application process. However, we can tell you that one base is located in North Africa (the Arab region north of the Sahara) and our second base is located in Southeast Asia.
How much does it cost?
It actually doesn't cost anything to go with Café 1040. Since most missions organizations use a process called "deputation" or "support raising" to fund their mission efforts, we train you how to do that. Our staff will teach you how to raise a support team and then mentor you through the process. You will raise just over $6000 which will cover everything from your airplane ticket, to your insurance, to your chewing gum while you are overseas. Here is the breakdown:
- Application Fee
- Pre-destination training and preparation
- Round-trip Airfare
- Housing
- Meals
- Cross-cultural Excursions
- Internet Access
- Video/Editing Access
- Overseas Travel Insurance
It does not include personal spending money for souvenirs, film for personal use, snacks, and coffee.
Can I get college credit?
Yes! Click on the COLLEGE CREDIT link above
How old do you have to be?
We take people who are at least 18 years old up to 28 years old. We ask that you have completed at least one year of college or that you have lived on your own for at least a year before you come overseas with us.
How many people go at a time?
We take a maximum of 15 people at a time to each base.
Who will be overseas with us?
Café 1040 has full time staff that live and work overseas. Their entire job is to mentor, train, and equip you. They will meet you at the airport and will be with you all semester. We also work with multi-national missionaries, cross-cultural professors, and national believers who will spend time getting to know you and your heart for the nations.
What does a typical day look like overseas?
You are in the classroom (40%) and have field training (60%) most days, although each day is different. The staff will teach you skills that you will need to learn like language, history, culture, technology, and life skills overseas, and then you will have a chance to use them. You will also spend time learning about people groups and how to bridge the gospel in various contexts–and then spend time with those people or in those places. You will have the opportunity to build friendships and have some free time specifically for that purpose. You might spend some days in the desert or jungle, some days hiking in the mountains or on the coast, and some days living among an unreached people group!
Do you take married couples?
Yes! You have to have been married at least one year though. And as a married couple, you will have housing together.
Can my boyfriend/girlfriend and I go at the same time?
No, we do not take dating couples at the same time. In many of the cultures that you will be visiting, the practice of dating is culturally unaccepted.
How do I apply?
When should I apply?
We strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible for any Summer semester, and apply at least 4-5 months out for a Spring or Fall semester.
Why the $25 application fee?
We have this fee to cover the admin costs of processing your application and to make sure that those who apply are truly interested in coming with us.
How soon will I know if my application has been accepted?
You will be contacted by one of our student mentors within one week of submitting your completed application.
What happens after I apply?
After you are contacted by one of our student mentors, they will spend some time talking with you about your application. Then, they will work with you to connect with your parents, pastor, and other people who have influence in your life. Then, they will mentor you through the process of going overseas!
What kind of people are you looking for?
Click on the WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? link above
Will we be evangelizing while we are overseas?
Café 1040 does not take students to the 10/40 Window to be missionaries. We exist solely to train young people in the disciplines necessary to be an effective missionary–history, culture, language, etc.
Do you take longer/shorter trips?
No. But if your church is interested in gaining exposure to that part of the world, we can help. Click on the GET INVOLVED link above
Do you have resources that you can send me?
No, Café 1040 keeps all of our info online. But, you can talk to us- Click on the CONTACT US link above
Is it safe?
Café 1040 operates in countries that constitutionally allow for the practice of religious freedom. They are allies of the United States and are visited by U.S. Tourists. Further, because we are an experiential and training ministry and not a missions sending organization, part of your experience will be to learn how the Gospel can be taken into risky and sometimes dangerous areas. Part of your training will also include best methods for flight and evacuation in case a situation should arise.
Should you become sick or injured, you are covered by an individual overseas travel insurance plan. This plan is part of the overall cost for attending the three-month program, and will cover medical expenses while overseas, as well as emergency medical evacuation if necessary.
College Credit
Info about college credit
Café 1040's training curriculum is being reviewed for accreditation by several universities, and the ministry is actively pursuing partnerships with other domestic universities and colleges so that students may obtain course credit.
If you have applied for Café 1040's three-month training program and would like to further inquire about possible course credit, we are pleased to provide informational materials to your institution and to speak to the appropriate contacts. Your student mentor will be happy to help with this.
As a preliminary step, we have provided a summary of the Course Curriculum that you will be using overseas. You can use this in several ways to begin your process:
- Read through the Course Curriculum
- Find out if your school or program offers internship or practicum opportunities
- If you cannot get internship or practicum credit for our program, use the Course Curriculum to present to your Dean or Registrar's Office for individual course credits.
- If none of these are options for you, contact Café 1040 about other Colleges and Universities that are currently offering course credit for our program, to see if you may be able to take a course with them for transfer credit towards your degree.
Summary Hours Info
Read Course Curriculum below or Download Course Curriculum.
Café 1040
Course Descriptions
12-14 Week Missions Internship and Training Program
General Description
The Café 1040 experience is based on the premise that God is raising up a generation of globally minded students with an amazing passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to train and equip a part of this generation to fulfill it's calling - to take the Gospel to the unreached world. We believe that the best way to accomplish this is by taking them inside the unreached world for training.
We conduct this training over one semester in North Africa or South East Asia. While there, students will take classes in language, history and culture, technology, and Islam or Buddhism, allowing them to see and experience the culture first-hand. The classroom training is designed to amplify the practical experience the students receive during excursions into different areas of North Africa or South East Asia, which expose them to the various people groups in various regions of the country that they are studying.
The ultimate goal is to allow students to prove to themselves that they have the ability to follow God's calling… wherever it may be.
Language Immersion
Our partnership with highly respected language schools ensures that our students receive the best available dialectic language training from quality, local instructors using a time proven program. The first three weeks of class introduce students to the local dialect and give them the skills to interact with the people among whom they live. After the first three weeks of intensive study, students will be placed in a local home for a "Home-Stay," where they will live for a week isolated from English speaking people for intense language immersion. On their return from the Home-Stay, they will continue in their classroom study of reading, writing, speaking, and listening to the language. Students will practice their new language on a daily basis, and in a wide variety of cultural settings. Upon completion, students will have a strong ability to greet, give and receive blessings, ask and give directions, order meals and be gracious guests in any national's home.
Language Class Modules: 69 classroom hours
- Exploring the Language – 6 class periods [9 hours]
- Home-Stay – 6 days, 5 nights
- Basic Language 1 – 40 class periods [60 hours]
Understanding Islam or Buddhism
In this course, students will learn about the beliefs and practices of Islam or Buddhism, and the effect of these growing religions on world culture. A significant part of the learning process will be living inside the culture and experiencing the impact of these religions on the daily lives of the people. Introduction to the Holy Books will be side-by-side with Bible teaching, giving special emphasis on common Old Testament prophets.
Understanding Islam or Buddhism Class Modules: 12 classroom hours/9 lab hours
- Understanding Islam/Buddhism – 8 class periods [12 hours]
- Mosque or Temple Visits – 2 lab periods [6 hours]
- Field Trip to Holy Site [3 hours]
History and Culture
More than text book learning! Students will learn the history of the local people and understand the historical context and mindset of the modern Arab or Asian. From the time of Abraham to today, students will learn while living in the historic lands they are studying. This course covers the life of significant Islamic and Buddhist figures, the history of their holy books, and the cultural and religious context for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It also exposes the students to the rich history of the Arab or Asian people and the land they live in. Outside of the classroom, students will experience the living history of their country by traveling throughout the host nation, and interacting with the contemporary culture.
History and Culture Class Modules: 34 classroom hours
- History and Culture – 17 class periods [34 hours]
- 4 Excursions to various topographies and people groups
Leadership Development
This course is designed as a three-part training environment to enhance spiritual growth and develop relational and leadership skills among the students. In the Spiritual Growth module, students will grow in their relationship with Christ and develop ministry skills by learning and exercising the disciplines of a Christian walk. The Relational Development module will develop strong relational skills within the team and remove obstacles to effective ministry created by interpersonal difficulties. The Leadership and Teamwork module will enable the students to identify team member skills and talents and utilize these resources to maximum advantage. Leadership skills will be developed in all phases of the overseas experience as students are placed in various team leader and team member roles.
Leadership Development Modules: 21 classroom hours/9 lab hours
- Spiritual Development – 6 class periods [9 hours]
- Relational Development – 4 class periods [6 hours]
- Leadership and Teamwork – 4 classes [6 hours]
- Leadership Practical Application – 3 lab excursions [9 hours]
- Weekly Group Bible Study
- Daily Quiet Time and Team Prayer Time
Field Technology
This course is designed to provide the students with the practical skills required to use technology advantageously in the overseas environment. Focus will be on effective web and phone security, computer networking, and communicating with their stateside team. The students will learn through hands-on training, photo and video composition and editing, and will write periodic web-updates to share their overseas experience with friends and family. The many facets of the host nation will become the students' palate for an amazing online scrapbook.
Field Technology Modules: 15 classroom hours/15 lab hours
- Technology Workshop – 10 class periods [15 hours]
- Photo Composition
- Video Composition
- Video Editing
- Writing Effective Updates – 5 lab periods [15 hours]
- Weekly Open Computer Lab – 10 lab periods [15 hours]
Field Skills
This course is composed of four modules designed to equip the students for field operations within the various topographies of their host country. The students will learn route planning and navigation, travel methodologies, and basic survival skills such as water purification, locating food, and field sanitation. In the Emergency Actions module, the students will gain a solid working knowledge of appropriate actions in emergency situations. This training helps to remove the fear barriers that often hinder team effectiveness and mission accomplishment, and is specifically tailored to provide a safety margin for the various excursions that the students will encounter during their overseas experience. The students will acquire a basic skill set that will enable them to live and work in uncertain surroundings while maintaining the security of themselves and others.
Field Skill Modules: 30 classroom hours/15 lab hours
Cross-Cultural Living
The richest part of the Café 1040 experience will be provided to the students by the host nation itself, as the students live and study in total cultural immersion. This course is designed to orient the students to cultural differences, and to give them a deeper understanding of the practices and customs of the people in an experiential setting. Students will be taught to develop an understanding of where we get our values from, what our values are, the cultural values others live by, the misunderstandings they cause, as well as issues associated with reading and misreading nonverbal communication. This module is based around dialogues, case studies, and video case study.
Cross-Cultural Living Modules: 15 classroom hours
- Daily Living – 4 class periods [6 hours
- Cultural Interaction – 4 class periods [6 hours]
Fitness
This course includes fitness training to enable the students to conduct long hikes and other strenuous physical activity in the city, mountains, jungles, coastal areas, and desert. The Fitness Training module will enable the students to design their own fitness programs that do not require a gym or fitness center, and will encourage the students to enter a lifestyle of health and fitness that will provide lifelong benefits.
Fitness Training Module: 30 lab hours/ 6 classroom hours
- Fitness Training – 4 class periods [6 hours]
- Daily Fitness Training Period [30 lab hours]
If you would like to have more credentials on our staff, please click Contact Us / About Our Staff.
College Credit FAQs
What schools are already offering college credit so that I can apply for transfer credits?
Currently Café 1040 is in the process of working with several different colleges and universities so that you can apply for transfer credits that would apply at your institution. Currently, these schools are Liberty University, Greenville College, BIOLA and Union University. We will let you know when this process is finalized with each school. Liberty University currently offers credit for Intercultural Studies majors at their institution.
You will also need to check the requirements at your own school for transferring credits from other colleges or Universities.
How can I get college credit through my school?
There are three ways that you can gain credit at your school. You can apply Café 1040's program as an internship, practicum, or field experience, you can gain independent study hours towards your major, or you can apply it towards electives or basic courses from various departments.
First you will need to speak to your advising professor or dean (if you are at a private school) or possibly the Registrars office (if you are at a State University) about who is responsible for granting credit hours at your school. You will probably need to determine, based on your major and the amount and kind of credit hours that you have left towards your degree what kind of credit you will seek. Next, provide your advisor, dean or registrar with a copy of the Course Curriculum for evaluation.
Does it matter what my major is?
Yes. Some majors will have an easier time gaining credit than others, but there is always room for options. For example, Intercultural Studies, Theology or Missions majors may find that they are easily able to see practical application towards their fields. However Business majors, Technology or Video majors, Sports and Recreation majors and Communication majors could also find that their degrees fit well with the content of our program. Even if you are a Math major or a Music major there may be options for you!
What if I am already a junior or senior and have taken most of the classes that I need?
Most juniors or seniors may still need an internship (or your degree may allow one, even though it is not required). This is usually the best option for seniors. If you are a junior, and you still have some language, physical education, leadership, communication, or technology courses?sometimes these can be fulfilled through Café 1040.
Who do I need to talk to at my school about college credit?
If you are at a private college or university, usually the dean of your department or your advising professor can help you. If you are at a large public university, you will probably need to start with your departmental advisor, but will eventually need to seek credit through the Registrar's office.
How much credit will I receive?
The amount of credit that you can receive depends on many factors. First, if you transfer credits, the amount will be dependent on what your institution allows to be transferred. Second, most internships offer between 3-12 hours of credit, this will be dependent on your school's requirements. Third, by obtaining permission to use Café 1040 as an independent study option for individual courses, you might obtain as many classes as your professors will approve. For example, if five separate professors approved five separate class options (physical education, language, photography, interpersonal communication, and History of Islam, for example?), you could potentially gain credits for each course you are permitted to take through independent study.
What work will I have to complete to get credit?
Your individual professors will determine the amount of work that you will need to complete--separate from Café 1040's program. For internships or practicums, often you will need to complete a paper or turn in a weekly mentoring evaluation. Café 1040 is happy to make sure that our program works within your requirements. For specific courses that you complete through independent study, keep in mind that there are some restrictions to what we can allow. We cannot allow you to take any books overseas which might not be allowed by that country's government (Missions or Evangelism textbooks, for example). Also, you will have limited time and limited access to the internet in order to complete tests or to study while you are overseas. There is some time - just not a lot!
Who can help me at Café 1040 if I have more questions?
Please contact us if you have any more questions or need some help!