As my last blog stated, I will me moving to Gainsville, GA in September to attend CGA. Many people that tell about this next step in my journey want to know more about what CGA is. Especially those considering helping support me financially. So here is my FAQ on CGA.
What does CGA stand for?
CGA is short for Center for Global Action.
What is CGA designed to do?
CGA is a program through Adventures in Missions. The same organization I went on the World Race with. This program is designed to help discover my calling and maneuver me into what that looks like in the next phase of life. Whether it be permanent ministry, long term missions, or just being a missionary every day in a working environment.
When do you begin CGA?
I have to be in GA on September 11th. My first day of courses is September 17th.
How long will you be at CGA?
The program at CGA is broken up into semesters. Each semester is about three months long. You take one track per semester. The length of time you are there is dependent on how many tracks you will take. I am taking two tracks. This means I will be attending from September 2015 through May 2016, with time off for the holidays.
Where is Gainsville, GA?
Gainsville is about forty five minutes Northeast of Atlanta, GA. It is a nice little town away from the distractions of a big city and nice and quiet.
What types of classes will you be taking?
The classes depend on what course you are in. Check out the CGA page and see what each Track offers.
http://adventures.org/globalaction//features.asp
I will be taking Leadership and Missions tracks.
The leadership course is designed to teach you how to lead a team on the field. There are many aspects of missions not seen at the forefront. There are leaders and support teams that help in every missionary’s journey.
Missions focuses on learning tools to reach men and women around the world, strategies for evangelism, and how to implement both. We will be discipled daily by mentors, who will help us discover our calling and how to get us plugged into such things.
Where will you be living?
We will be living in community homes. All of the men attending each semester will be living in one house. We will be accountable to each other and encourage each other. As well as having a whole lot of fun.
What will your daily schedule be like?
We will be attending CGA Mon-Fri, 9AM -5PM. Each day is broken into two parts in the morning we will be attending our classes, and after lunch we will transition into our Apprenticeships. Weekends are off, but we are also asked to volunteer in the community. Whether it be at a church on Sunday or somewhere else throughout the week.
There is a sample schedule at:
http://adventures.org/globalaction//features.asp
What are the Apprenticeships?
The apprenticeships allow each volunteer to work alongside an employee(s) at Adventures in Missions to learn a specific aspect of a Non Profit/Mission organization. We can apply for and will be placed in positions that best suit the track we are taking. Each apprenticeship is about 3-4 hours per day Monday through Friday.
What will this program afford me upon completion?
The tracks at CGA are designed to get me plugged in to my calling. Whether it be long term missions abroad, serving in full time ministry here at home, or being a light to my community in a local business. The courses and apprenticeships I will be taking will be a great addition to my resume for missions or in local business. I will be learning the aspects of how a business as a non profit functions and how to work with and lead a team.
Many of the missionaries I have talked to over the year have informed me that training like this is invaluable before going into the field. One said, “There is just very little of that[training] before you go on the field. People with leadership and evangelism training would have a head start.”
I will be very grateful for the knowledge and training I receive during this time.
How much do you need to raise?
To cover just the CGA expenses, I need to raise $7,450. It averages out to about $1,000 per month. This, however does not include things like transportation costs, replacement clothes, health insurance, or any unforeseen charges. Here is the schedule of deadlines for fundraising:
1. $1,975 will need to be in your Adventures account on September 11th (Move-in Day / Start Date for Fall Semester)
$987 will need to be in your Adventures account on:
2. October 11
3. November 11
$875 will need to be in your Adventures account on:
4. January 11
5. February 11
6. March 11
7. April 11
What will my donation be going towards?
Money raised for my Adventures account will be used to cover my lodging, food, and house supplies. It will also cover any books, class materials, and other miscelaneous course expenses.
Food will be a stipend given to us each month. We can spend it as we please, but part of the program is being avle to budget for yourself and live on a limited income.
Why don’t you just get a job and pay for it that way?
This has been the most daunting question. Many people do not understand that this course is still part of my journey to become a missionary. They see it as me going to school and think it should be funded similarly by working to pay for it or taking out a loan.
First let me say, I will have the opportunity to get a part time job. However, as my schedule shows, my available time for working is limited and a part time job will not fully cover the money I need to raise and any other expenses. If i worked enough to do so, the learning would suffer.
I am taking this course for the purpose of learning and growing as much as possible to be used by God in the best way I can. I do not want to compromise any of the teaching he may want to show me over the course of the class.
Secondly, I will not go into debt for this. If I plan on going to another country for missions after this, I cannot have any debt. Many sending organizations do not allow anyone to go if they have outstanding debt. Plus I just finished paying off all my debt before the World Race. It will hold me back from moving forward where God wants me.
Lastly, one thing I have learned over the past few years is how much God can use the fundraising process. God uses it to stretch and grow not just the one fundraising, but the giver as well. I had to put my faith in Him that he would provide even if the deadline was just around the corner. I struggled with the daunting task of depending on others and I am better for it.
The givers also grew and expanded their faith. Many of my supporters were amazed at what God had done over the past year. They were concerned that giving to me would put them in a financial bind. One supporter told me that he was concerned with being able to pay his bills, but felt convicted to give. He chose to step out in faith and give. He said on paper, he should not have made it to his next check, but when all had settled, he had more than enough money to cover all he needed to. God provided.
I do not want to deprive anyone of my supporters the chance to grow in trust and faith in God to provide for them.
How can I support you?
There are a few ways you can support e finacially.
1. Donate to my already existing World Race acount.
You can do this by clicking support me to the left or at the top of this blog. This goes toward the amount I need to raise for AIM.
Or you can mail a check written out to Adventures in Missions to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
These methods are tax deductible and can be written off your taxes at the end of the year.
2. You can donate to me personally by going to www.paypal.com and clicking send money at the top of the screen. Send to [email protected].
Or mail a check written out to Dillon Seeley to:
Dillon Seeley
133 Brownstone Cir. NE
Cleveland, TN 37323
These will go towards things that are not included like personal hygene supplies, transportation costs, and getting health insurance that our oh so loving government requires I have. Sadly, this method is not tax deductible, but is very appreciated.
What if I have a question not answered here?
Please feel free to comment below or email me at [email protected]
