REACH

Cape Verde

 April 2023  | Cape Verde, Africa

The Crossing will be sending a team to Cape Verde (West Africa) to continue the work of community transformation that began over 2 years ago. This effort in Cape Verde is an outgrowth of similar ministry outreach of The Crossing in Ghana that has taken place over the past 8 years – utilizing the principles of Community Health Education (CHE) to assist local ministry leaders in impacting their community.

Cape Verde is a 10 island nation off the coast of West Africa and is a former Portuguese colony. The island history is tied to American history as slaves were ‘gathered’ from Africa and dropped off at these uninhabited islands before being sold to slave traffickers that then brought them to both North and South America.

It is estimated that +1 million Africans were sold into slavery to the US colonies during the early years in American history with an additional +10 million sold for work in South America. This ‘bondage’ that greatly influenced the early years of this island nation has shifted over time and is now manifesting in the forms of alcoholism and drug addiction.

Although in the midst of a developing economy, a sizable portion of the nation’s residents still reside in extreme poverty with a high unemployment rate which only fuels depression which manifests in illegal activities.

The Crossing has been supporting Lia Veiga, a Brazilian missionary, who was sent to the island as the country leader for implementing CHE across the various communities and islands. During this trip, The Crossing team will be assisting in development efforts in two local communities and hosting a Pastor’s Conference. The development activities will include teaching and training, as well as some physical work projects. The Pastor’s Conference will provide a comfortable environment for +100 pastors, ministers, and spouses coming from the various islands to learn, pray, and connect with each other. The majority of the pastors are bi-vocational – working a full-time job in addition to pastoring (typically) small congregations, and often-times have limited formal training. This places enormous pressure on their spouses (and children) to also support the ministry. The Pastor’s Conference will provide biblical ministry training, practical leadership teaching, as well as marriage counseling (for married couples) and relationship building for single ministers. The community transformation concepts of CHE will be shared as we create an environment by which these pastors, of all denominations, will be able to unify in their ministry efforts as they pray for their nation.

 

WHY GO ON THIS TRIP?

The Crossing has been supporting Lia Veiga, a Brazilian missionary, who was sent to the island as the country leader for implementing CHE across the various communities and islands. The Crossing team has assisted in development efforts in two local communities and hosted a Pastor’s Conference.

The development activities include teaching and training, as well as some physical work projects. The Pastor’s Conference provides a comfortable environment for +100 pastors, ministers, and spouses coming from the various islands to learn, pray, and connect with each other. The majority of the pastors are bi-vocational – working a full-time job in addition to pastoring (typically) small congregations, and often-times have limited formal training.

This places enormous pressure on their spouses (and children) to also support the ministry. The Pastor’s Conference will provide biblical ministry training, practical leadership teaching, as well as marriage counseling (for married couples) and relationship building for single ministers. The community transformation concepts of CHE will be shared as we create an environment by which these pastors, of all denominations, will be able to unify in their ministry efforts as they pray for their nation.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS?

• Must attend The Crossing or live in Las Vegas with the ability to attend team meetings.
• Pre-mission trip experience is preferred, but not required.
• Open to anyone 18+.
• Must have a passport 75 days prior to departure.
• Passport CANNOT expire within 6 months of departure.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

• How much do I pay directly to The Crossing? $2,900. There will be a $300 deposit due within 7 days after registration that is fully refundable until the date registration closes, in case you need to drop out. 
• What is included in the trip cost? Airfare, housing, transportation, supplies, traveler’s insurance and all meals while in Cape Verde.
• What is not included in the trip cost? Passport, food while traveling to/from Cape Verde, snacks/drinks at corner stores, and Souvenir shopping money.
• Worried about raising funds?  God will provide! Your hard work is still required though, so during team meetings, your leader will discuss fundraising tips and ideas to help you be prepared for your journey.

Email reach@thecrossinglv.com or call (702) 947-2080, if you have any questions!