Things You Need To Know

Although we don't need you to return anything to us about these items, here are some other important things we'll be talking with you about through your pre-arrival process:

Pre-Commitment Guide

You were sent a Guide to the CTI Commitment for your program after you were accepted (summer team members) or before you were accepted (fulltime applicants.)

This guide contains lots of information about the experience and our expectations of you.  All CTI team members are required to read the guide for their program and abide by the expectations and policies it contains.  If you need us to re-send your guide, just let us know and we'll e-mail one out to you.



Fundraising Resources

We will supply you with resources that you can use in your support-raising efforts, including response cards, CTI brochures and envelopes that your supporters can use to send their gifts in to CTI.  Contact us if you need any more of these supplies.  We provide further instruction, advice, and encouragement for support-raising in a series of articles on our "Join a Team" website.

Support-raising starts with getting the word out about what you'll be doing, offering people the opportunity to partner with you in ministry through their finances and through prayer, and beginning what we hope will be a long-term and mutually transformative relationship between you and the people who join your support team.  

Here are the basic steps you should be taking in the fundraising process:

STEP 1:  Read the short series of articles about support-raising that we've posted on our "join" site if you haven't already done so. These articles will help orient you to our support-raising philosophy and expectations.

STEP 2:  Put together your support plan.  One of our articles will guide you through this simple but important step.

STEP 3:  Write your first letter to send to the people you identify in your plan.  You should have received a sample letter from us with your "Fundraising Packet" email. You can base your letter off of ours (by inserting your name, photo and personal details) or you can create a letter on your own.  Whichever you choose to do, we must review and approve your letter before you send it out.  

STEP 4: Send your letters out.  Once your letter is approved, you're ready to send your first mailing.  Your first mailing to your supporters should include the following things:
  • Your approved letter. Since this is a form letter, you might consider hand-writing a personal message to the recipient in one of the margins or including something else to personalize the mailing.
  • A reply envelope which your supporters can use to send their donations back to CTI (we'll send you a supply of these envelopes once we've approved your letter.) We've also issued you a unique fundraising code, which you'll need to write on the lower left hand corner of each envelope (we'll include an example in the packet.) This code is how we know that the funds in the envelope are to be credited to your account.  Your code was included in the "CTI Fundraising Packet" email that was sent to you.
  • A response card which allows people to communicate future pledged support to you, let you know that they'll pray along with you during your trip, or express interest in being kept updated on your adventures. We attached a response card template to your "CTI Fundraising Packet" email.  As your cards get returned to us here at CTI, we'll scan them and email them to you. We don't take any action on these cards - they're simply for your follow-up purposes.
  • A CTI brochure (optional) which you can include as a way to provide more information on what you'll be doing (these will be coming in the mail along with your response envelopes.)
STEP 5:  Go social.  Once your letter is approved and you've mailed it out to the people you listed in your plan, you can also begin getting the word out via social media and email.  You can share your custom fundraising page link so that people to support you online.  Your custom link was sent to you in your "CTI Fundraising Packet" email.

STEP 6: Thank your supporters!  Don't forget to send thank-you cards or otherwise acknowledge that you appreciate the gifts of your supporters.  We'll begin e-mailing weekly updates on your support account to you once you get started.  These updates will include a list of everyone who has supported you. Use these lists, in addition to the scanned response cards that we'll send back to you, to send thank-you notes.  

STEP 7: Keep people updated!  Support-raising is not just a one-time activity - it is a relationship.  Make sure you continue building the relationship with your supporters by keeping them updated on your fundraising progress, along with news of what God is teaching you through your experience with CTI. Remember, keeping your supporters updated is a form of ministry in itself, as they are intentionally partnering with you in your work.


A note about using GoFundMe and other 3rd party fundraising solutions:

CTI provides a secure online platform for support-raising, and can also receive checks directly via mail. CTI is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and will issue valid donation receipts for all funds we receive directly. 100% off all funds donated in the name of a team member will be applied to that team member's account.

We strongly discourage the use of GoFundMe and other 3rd party fundraising solutions for the following reasons:
  1. Donations made through these platforms are not considered tax-deductible, and donors will not be receipted for these funds
  2. Fees and surcharges are deducted by these platforms (as of this writing, GoFundMe only passes along about 92% of each donation)
  3. Funds can only be counted towards deadlines or account movement requirements after they have been received by CTI. 
In contrast, when people donate towards a team member directly through ctimusic.org/support:
  1. 100% of the donated amount is applied to the team member's fundraising account
  2. Support is credited to their account immediately (and amounts pledged through our portal also apply towards incentives for fulltime team members)
  3. The donor receives a tax receipt from us
  4. Weekly fundraising reports that we send to team members accurately reflect both donations received and donations pledged.
If you decide to use a 3rd party fundraising platform, the following conditions must be observed:
  1. Donation pages and advertisements must PROMINENTLY include this disclaimer: Funds contributed through this page are given directly to me, not to CTI. As such, they are not considered charitable donations, and are therefore not tax deductible. To make a tax deductible contribution towards my CTI trip, please give directly through CTI's donation page here.
  2. No CTI branding or titling of any kind may be included on 3rd party donation pages or advertisements.
  3. All funds raised for the purpose of supporting a CTI commitment must be forwarded to CTI when received.



Raising Funds From Canadian Donors

CTI Music Ministries is not registered as a non-profit in Canada, therefore Canadian donors do not generally qualify for a tax deduction for contributions to CTI.  Two options are available for raising support from Canadian donors:

  1. If a tax deduction is not important to the donor, they can support you by giving online or through the mail in the same way that donors based in the U.S. do.  Note that funds will be converted to U.S. Dollars before being deposited, so the amount credited to your account will reflect the current exchange rate as determined by our bank, along with any foreign transaction fees that may be assessed. 
  2. If tax deductibility is an important consideration to the supporter, donations can be made through Youth for Christ (YFC), Canada.  
Donating through YFC Canada:

CTI has an Agency Agreement with the Canadian National Office of YFC.  This provides an option for Canadian supporters to receive a tax-receipt for a donation.  YFC-Canada charges a 10% service fee on all donations that they receive and process for CTI. This fee will be deducted from the donation before it is passed along to CTI.  Additionally, you should note that funds will be converted to U.S. Dollars before being deposited, so the amount credited to your account will reflect the current exchange rate as determined by our bank, along with the deduction of a service charge assessed by our bank for incoming wire transfers from Canada (maximum charge of US$20 per monthly transfer.)

If you choose to use YFC-Canada’s service:

  • Contact YFC-Canada regarding your involvement with CTI prior to offering your supporters this option.  They may be reached at 1-800-899-9322 or 604-595-2498.
  • Notify the CTI office that you are offering this option to your supporters
  • Instruct your supporters to include a note to YFC Canada that clearly identifies your name and that you are raising support for a mission trip with CTI Music Ministries. 

Donations may be sent to:

YFC Canada

#308 – 8047 – 199 St.

Langley, BC  V2Y 0E2

CANADA


You must let CTI and YFC Canada know in advance of raising funds if you plan to offer this option to your supporters.  As always, feel free to contact our business office with any questions about this process!




In-Ear Monitoring

CTI uses wired in-ear monitoring for all instrumentalists.  Doing so lowers stage volume and allows us to increase the number of available monitor mixes while minimizing the amount of equipment we need to transport. 

CTI only allows in-ear style earbuds, and not over the ear headphones (such as DJ style or professional studio monitoring headphones). The larger style headphones distract from the audience interaction in a way that detracts from a team's ministry potential.

If you do not have in-ear style earphones (we don’t recommend using standard iPhone / iPod headphones) and are looking to purchase some, here are a few product lines to take a look at:
  • Sennheiser CX200's can usually be found for around $25. They come with multiple sized rubber ear adapters that allow for more customization than generic style earbuds.
  • Shure SE215's are Shure's entry line into their professional in-ear monitoring earphones. They come with two styles of earpieces in multiple styles and have better sound isolation allowing for the same level of sonic information at lower volumes. They can usually be found for around $100.
There are a number of in-ear monitor products in the market that run much higher, with custom molded earbuds or multiple drivers. These additional features aren't necessary and in many cases team members have reported being better served by less expensive gear so the fear of something getting lost, damaged or stolen didn't steal from their ministry focus.

Earphone plug styles
A note about earphones with microphones or MP3 player controls:
Some earbuds (such as the ones that come with iPhones or iPods) include a microphone and/or remote control option to be used with phones and/or MP3 players.  An adapter will be required to use these kinds of earphones with our monitoring equipment.

To determine if you need an adapter, compare the plug on your earphones to the examples in the picture:
  • If your plug has 4 separate "sections" like the one on the left, an adapter is required.  
  • If your plug only has three sections like the one on the right, you're good.
If your earphones have the 4-conductor "TRRS"-style plug shown on the left and they did not come with an adapter, you will need to purchase one if you want to use them as your in-ear monitors.  Make sure the adapter you purchase adapts from "TRSS Female" to "TRS Male."

Here is an example of an adapter that would work, available from Amazon for $7.29 as of this writing.

If you have any questions about in-ear monitoring or what kind of earphones might be appropriate, please give us a call!  We want you to feel as prepared as possible when you arrive.



Playing to a Click Track

In-ear monitoring allows our instrumentalists to add a programmable metronome to their monitor mix.  Playing with a metronome (or "playing to a click") is a learned skill that will not necessarily come naturally, even to experienced instrumentalists, so you should begin practicing this immediately. Once you arrive to CTI training, you’ll have extremely packed days of musical, spiritual and cultural training; if this skill is not second-nature to you, it’s easy to become overwhelmed very quickly.

In order to be prepared to serve your team and our partners overseas:
  • Get a (programmable) metronome immediately.
  • Play with a metronome whenever you are practicing.  If you haven’t received your summer repertoire, begin practicing with any music you have available.
  • If you’re on your praise team at church, start using a metronome in practices and on Sundays as soon as possible.
  • We recommend subdividing to 8th notes for most tempos (consider subdividing to 16ths for slower tempos—anything under 90bmp or so).
  • For drummers: If you absolutely cannot practice on your kit, play rudiments on a practice pad with the click.  This will still help you learn to listen to the metronome and to self-correct.
There are a number of programmable metronomes on the market and any device with set-listing capabilities that complies with CTI’s electronics policy can be used.  We recommend an iPod touch (or similar device) and the “Tempo” app.  This app (made by Frozen Ape) is available for iOS and Android devices.  You won’t have your phone at training or overseas, but you may choose to download it on your phone for practice at home.

When practicing with in-ear headphones, never play with one earbud in and the other earbud out.  This can cause lasting hearing damage.  The volume of the click should be quiet enough in your mix so that you’ll easily hear it if you’re off, but that you won’t hear it if you’re perfectly in-sync.

If you have any questions about in-ear monitoring or playing with a metronome, please give us a call!  We want you to feel as prepared as possible when you arrive.



Equipment Requirements for Guitarists

In addition to a set of in-ear monitors, guitarists should plan to bring the following equipment to Willmar for training and for overseas travel:
  • An acoustic guitar with pickups in a hard shell case
  • An electric guitar in a hard shell case
  • Basic processing (drive, delay, reverb) for an electric guitar (must be pedals--no amplifiers), and the necessary patch cables
  • A tuner (a footswitch tuner is ideal, but a cheaper handheld one is fine)
  • 2-3 instrument cables
  • Extra strings, picks, and batteries (if any of your equipment requires batteries)
  • Guitar stands (one per guitar, and the more compact the better: good examples are the Ultimate Support GS100 and the Hercules GS415B)
  • A capo
If you do not own the equipment listed above, you'll need to purchase or borrow it for your tour. Remember that all equipment you plan to bring must be pre-approved by CTI.

If you're planning on purchasing equipment for your tour, we recommend mid-quality gear.  You get what you pay for with musical equipment--cheap gear often yields poor sound and low durability.  But also remember that high-value instruments can be a liability when travelling overseas; you will want to stay focused on the ministry opportunities at hand rather than worried about expensive equipment.  Aim for purchases that will allow you to grow as a musician, but can also be used comfortably in a rugged environment.  See our mid-range recommendations below.


Examples of good "mid-range" electric guitars (by no means an exhaustive list):
  • Epiphone Les Paul (around $400)
  • Fender Standard HSS Stratocaster (also around $400)

Due to travel constraints and stage volume concerns, we do not permit the use of guitar amplifiers.  You'll be running directly through a PA system, so you'll need basic electric guitar processing that does not rely on an amplifier for a good tone.  Some good mid-range options are:
  • Line 6 Pod XT Live ($400)
  • Line 6 Floor Pod ($200)
  • If you prefer individual pedals, be sure to bring a distortion and a delay.  You may bring others with you to training, but you might not be able to bring them overseas, depending on available space.

You should also consider having your guitars professionally set-up (this should cost $15-30/guitar, depending on the strings you prefer to use).  A set-up should include:
  • Adjusting the action (the height of the strings above the fretboard)
  • Filing frets to the correct height
  • Setting the correct intonation
  • Adjusting the truss rod (the metal piece that runs the length of the neck)



Equipment Requirements for Bassists

In addition to a set of in-ear monitors, bassists should plan to bring the following equipment to Willmar for training and for overseas travel:
  • An electric bass (4 or 5 string) in a hard shell case
  • A tuner (a footswitch tuner is ideal, but a cheaper handheld one is fine)
  • An instrument cable
  • Extra strings
  • Extra batteries (some of each kind, for each piece of equipment that requires batteries)
  • A guitar stand (the more compact the better: good examples are the Ultimate Support GS100 and the Hercules GS415B)
  • Optional:  Bring a direct box or Sans Amp, if you own one
If you do not own the equipment listed above, you'll need to purchase or borrow it for your tour. Remember that all equipment you plan to bring must be pre-approved by CTI.

If you're planning on purchasing equipment for your tour, we recommend mid-quality gear.  You get what you pay for with musical equipment--cheap gear often yields poor sound and low durability.  But also remember that high-value instruments can be a liability when travelling overseas; you will want to stay focused on the ministry opportunities at hand rather than worried about expensive equipment.  Aim for purchases that will allow you to grow as a musician, but can also be used comfortably in a rugged environment.

If you're considering purchasing a direct box, we recommend the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI (about $200).  This will give your sound some of the warmth of sound and tone shaping options you would normally get with an amplifier (because of travel constraints and stage volume concerns, we do not permit the use of instrument amplifiers).  If you don't own a DI, let us know and we can provide one for you.



Equipment Requirements for Drummers

In addition to a set of in-ear monitors,  drummers should plan to bring the following equipment to Willmar for training and for overseas travel:
  • Kick drum with single kick pedal (must not be larger than 22'')
  • Snare drum
  • 1 mounted tom
  • 1 floor tom
  • Hi-hats
  • 1-2 crash cymbals
  • Ride cymbal
  • All necessary hardware (the fewer pieces, and the lighter the pieces, the better)
  • Several extra pairs of sticks
  • Several pairs of bamboo rods (ex. Hot-Rods, Tala-Wands, Splashsticks, etc.)
  • Simple, lightweight drum throne (nothing with a back rest)
  • 1 hard shell kick drum case
  • 1 large hard shell tom case
  • 1 hard shell hardware case (the measurement of the height, length and width of the case must total fewer than 62 inches, and the case must be ATA rated)
  • Optional:  additional soft shell cases for extra padding during shipping, or for transport when overseas
Be sure to see our additional guidelines for drum cases in the "Packing Your Instruments" section below.

If you do not own the equipment listed above, you'll need to purchase or borrow it for your tour. Remember that all equipment you plan to bring must be pre-approved by CTI.

If you're planning on purchasing equipment for your tour, we recommend mid-quality gear.  You get what you pay for with musical equipment--cheap gear often yields poor sound and low durability.  But also remember that high-value instruments can be a liability when travelling overseas; you will want to stay focused on the ministry opportunities at hand rather than worried about expensive equipment.  Aim for purchases that will allow you to grow as a musician, but can also be used comfortably in a rugged environment.

If you are considering purchasing a hard shell hardware case, we recommend SKB Model #1SKB-H3611W (about $230).  Do NOT bring any of the following models (they are too large):  1SKB-DH3315W, 1SKB-TPX1, 1SKB-TPX2, 1SKB-H4810W, 1SKB-H4812W, 1SKB-H4816W, 1SKB-H5020W, 2SKB-R4913S.


We know that the specifics of your kit are extremely important to your personal expression and playing style, and you may feel that simplifying your kit according to the guidelines above will musically hinder you.  There are many factors which influence our equipment guidelines, including team size, needs and resources of our partners, airline restrictions, etc.  Our goal is to help you be successful in the context for your entire team, not just as an individual, and bringing only the essential elements of your kit will help ensure that you and your team will be liberated to focus on the ministry to which you've been called.



What To Pack

Fulltime team members: See the additional section below for general information on packing for your stateside tours.

Overseas teams (both summer and fulltime:)

Your overseas tour with CTI will likely be different than other international travel experiences you may have had.  You won't be checking personal luggage because you and your team will be checking your sound system and instruments.

We'll send you a specific packing list about a month before your arrival, but here are some general guidelines you can prepare for beforehand:

You'll be allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item:
  • Carry-On Bag
    • No more than 40 lbs (fully packed)
    • Dimensions must be 22'' x 14'' x 9'', or smaller
      • You must include wheels, handles and extending pockets or compartments in these measurements:  if the wheels or handle exceed these dimensions, the bag is too big.
  • Personal Item
    • Must have only one strap
    • Must fit under a standard airplane seat
    • Must be no larger than 36 liner inches (height + length + width)
    • Cannot be a backpack of any kind, under any circumstances
If you do not have a bag that meets these requirements, plan to purchase or borrow one before you arrive.


Packing Liquids:
  • All liquids/gels/aerosols must be in 3.4 oz containers or smaller
  • All liquids/gels/aerosols must be stored in one quart-sized zip-top bag
    • Each person may bring only one bag
    • You MUST be able to close the bag
  • Keep zip-top bags easily accessible in your luggage
Summer team members will be able to restock liquids and toiletries in Willmar before leaving for overseas (however, shopping time will be limited, so do not plan on shopping for clothes, shoes, etc.).  You will be able to restock liquids and toiletries during your tour overseas, but pack enough liquids for a week or so; your partners overseas may not be able to facilitate a trip to purchase toiletries for a couple of days after you arrive.


Prescription Medications:

Prescription medications are exempt from the TSA liquids guidelines listed above,
  • Bring enough medication for the entire time you'll be away from home (training and overseas)
  • Bring at least one copy of each prescription
  • Declare all liquid prescription medications to TSA at the security checkpoint--you will need to remove them from your bag for additional screening
  • All medications must be in their original prescription containers

Packing Clothing:

It is essential that we do not distract from the message of the gospel with something as trivial as our clothing.  Plan to pack clothing that is appropriate, even when bending over, jumping, kneeling, etc.
  • Do not pack tattered, torn, patched or overly worn clothing.
  • Do not pack low-cut or tightly-fitted clothing (guys or girls).
  • Shorts should be mid-length or knee-length, cut-offs are not appropriate.
Be prepared to do laundry by hand overseas.  Some of our partners will have access to laundry facilities, others will not.  Every tour is different, so we cannot predict whether your team will have such access.  Plan to wash clothing by hand, and if laundry facilities are available you may use these facilities (at your own personal expense.)

Pack sturdy shoes that will be comfortable if you're on your feet all day; remember you'll be doing a lot of walking and hauling sound equipment, so all shoes must be well-fitting and closed-toed.


Electronics Policy:

Fulltime team members: this policy will be a little different for you - see the additional section below for details.

Summer team members may bring cellphones, laptops and other electronic devices with you to Willmar.  However, we limit the use of these items during training and while overseas:
  • Cellphones (any device with phone capabilities, NO EXCEPTIONS) and laptops cannot be brought overseas, or to the training site each day.
  • Tablet devices may be used for music training purposes only (accessing chord charts, etc.), but the Wi-Fi capability must be switched off at the training site.  Tablets may not be taken overseas, however.
  • Other electronic devices (iPods, e-readers, etc.) may be brought overseas and to training, but the Wi-Fi capability must be switched off at the training site, and for the duration of your tour overseas.
You can leave laptops, cellphones and other electronics (and chargers) in Willmar while you are overseas--we will keep them safe for you until you return.


Bringing Personal Money:

You must bring $25 to purchase your CTI t-shirts when you arrive to training (summer members only.)  Beyond that, the decision of how much personal money to bring is completely up to you.  While all necessary travel expenses (travel, housing, meals, etc.) will be covered for you, you may wish to purchase souvenirs or small thank-you gifts for your supporters back home.

Any personal money you choose to bring is solely your responsibility.

If you do choose to bring personal money, don't rely exclusively on ATM or check cards--they might not work in all the places you'll be travelling to.  Be sure to inform your bank of your travel plans ahead of time.


Calling Home from Overseas:

You may call home, but this will be done at your own personal expense, and we can't guarantee that you will have access to a phone or free time in your schedule to do so.  Your family and friends will be informed of your safe arrival via the CTI website however, and you'll be able to update them weekly through shout-outs on your team's blog.  

As stated in the Pre-Commitment guide you received, you will not be allowed to e-mail or use social media / internet while overseas.  We enforce these guidelines to limit distractions and to allow you to fully immerse yourself in the ministry experience.  If you or your family have questions or concerns about these, or any of our policies, give us a call so we can discuss them with you in further detail.


Packing for Stateside Touring (Fulltime team members only)

Fulltime team members will need to pack within our overseas packing requirements (listed above) for their international tours during the fall.  You’ll be allowed more packing space for stateside tours than for an overseas tour, because you won’t be restricted by airline regulations. However, any luggage you bring on the road will need to be carried in and out of host homes each night and each morning, so don’t pack a larger suitcase than you really need. 

For your stateside tour, you’ll be allowed the following: 
  • One hanging garment bag (for storing your Sunday clothes - will hang in your team's trailer) 
  • One small suitcase (can be your overseas carry-on, but you may pack a larger bag for stateside tours if you wish) 
  • One backpack or messenger bag (note that backpacks can't be taken overseas, so be prepared)
  • We’ll also provide you with a storage cubby in your team's trailer (great for storing shoes or heavy coats.)

Clothing:

In addition to the guidelines listed in the overseas section above, fulltime team members will be instructed to bring specific types of clothing for stateside performance and downtime.  Specifics will be provided in the form of a packing list closer to the time of your arrival.


Electronics:

Our electronics policy for the fulltime program differs from our summer program policy.  Fulltime team members are asked to bring a tablet with them, and are welcome to bring other electronic devices such as cellphones and laptops. You will likely find these devices extremely useful during your ministry with CTI, and you will use your tablet during training and on your stateside tours.

As with our summer program, however, you won't be permitted to take cellphones, laptops or tablets on your international tour, and your access to the internet will be intentionally limited while you're overseas.

Packing Your Instruments

We'll have experienced musicians on site to help you pack your instruments for your trip overseas, but unless you're driving to Willmar for training, you'll need to ship them to our office or check them on your flight to training.

CTI will cover baggage fees associated with your overseas tour, but you are responsible for shipping or baggage fees when travelling to and from training.

If you are flying to Willmar, check with your airline in advance for luggage fees and regulations, which may be cheaper, than shipping your equipment. Remember that most airlines will charge extra for a piece over 50 lbs, and many will not accept a piece over 70 lbs.


Packing Guitars and Bass Guitars:
  • You will need to pack your guitars in a hard shell case.
  • Tune your guitars down about a whole step (not more) to ease the tension on the neck.
  • If your case is not fitted to your guitar, pad your guitar so it doesn't slide around in the case.  Don't wedge it in too tightly; a little bit of give is essential for keeping your guitar safe.
  • Be sure the neck of your guitar is supported.


Packing Drums:

Pack your kit in 3 hardshell cases:
  • Kick Drum Case
    • Remove the kick drum resonant head
    • If possible, pack your cymbals inside a soft cymbal bag*
    • If possible, pack your snare inside a soft case*
    • Pack cymbals, snare drum, throne seat and cymbals inside the kick drum--be careful the weight does not exceed 70lbs!  (If case is too heavy, crash cymbals and hi-hats can be packed with the toms.)
    • Place the kick drum resonant head on top.  Use foam to take up any extra space.
  • Large Tom Case
    • Remove resonant heads from your toms
    • If possible, pack the smaller tom inside a soft case*, then pack smaller tom inside the larger tom
    • Place tom resonant heads on top.  Use foam to take up any extra space.
  • Hardware Case
    • Include drum sticks and other accessories in this case
    • Be careful not to exceed 70 lbs.  Move some hardware to other cases if this case gets too heavy.
    *If you don't have soft cases to protect your drums, use foam.



Preparing for Opportunities to Share the Gospel

A month or so prior to your arrival, we'll ask you to begin thinking seriously about what you will share with others through this experience – both inside and outside your team.  You will be asked to lead your team in devotions, and you’ll also be sharing about your life and faith with the people you encounter through your team's ministry.

You will need to do some work to prepare for these opportunities before you arrive to training.  We'll send a "homework" assignment for you to complete prior to the start of your experience to help you prepare for training.



Invitation Letters (for non-US team members)

If your passport is issued by a country other than the United States, we will furnish you with an invitation letter that you can use when you apply for your visa to visit the United States.



Arrival and Departure Instructions


Arrival Options

To Willmar Directly

You may arrive directly to our office building in Willmar, MN by 5:00pm.

To Minneapolis Airport (MSP)

Because we will only be sending one van it is very important that you arrive by the designated times.

Meet at carousel 6 on the baggage claim level in the Lindbergh Terminal

By Plane-You may schedule a flight into the MSP airport arriving before 2:30pm.

By Car- If arriving by car to the MSP airport, you may ride in the van picking up team members who are flying in. Please arrive by 2:00pm.

Note for those arriving by air:

  • If you need to eat when you arrive at the MSP airport, make sure you purchase food before you go to baggage claim; you cannot re-enter the food area once you've left security
  • There is a Starbucks and a Deli in the baggage claim area.
  • When you arrive, get your luggage and wait at the seats in front of baggage claim #6, terminal 1. 
  • We’ll be there to pick everyone up at or before 2:30 p.m. 
IF YOUR FLIGHT ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 2:  (Southwest, Sun Country - see here for complete list of airlines)
  • If your flight lands before about 1:30, you should collect your luggage and  take the free tram to Terminal 1.  Meet up with everyone else at Baggage Claim #6.
  • If your flight lands after 1:30, we will plan to pick you up at Terminal 2.  Call our office to confirm this.

On arrival day we will have a picnic and an orientation session. Family or friends traveling directly to our office with you are welcome to join us for the picnic.  You need to RSVP for the number of people attending using a personalized webform link which we will email to you at the appropriate time. 


Departure Options (Summer Team Members only)*

From Willmar Directly

The night of Debriefing- You are welcome to leave the night of debriefing (around 9pm) if you wish. It is important that you let us know this so your host home is not expecting you.

The morning after Debriefing- You may leave from your host home the morning after Debriefing. You will need to make arrangements with our office and the host home regarding this.

From Minneapolis Airport (MSP)

 

By Plane the morning after Debriefing- You may schedule a flight out of the MSP airport anytime after 10:30am. CTI will send a van to the airport at 6:00am for all team members traveling from MSP.

By Car from the airport- If you are leaving by car from the MSP airport, you may ride to the airport at 6:00am with the team members flying out of MSP. We plan to arrive at MSP between 8:00 and 8:30 am.

*Fulltime team members:  Your departure date will vary based on a number of factors.  We will have more specific information for you about your departure prior to the summer following your fulltime commitment.

All team members:  You will need to communicate your travel plans to us in advance using a personalized webform link which we will email to you at the appropriate time.  We must have your full itinerary so we can follow your flights and be aware of any delays. Please complete this online form as soon as your travel plans have been made.

If your plans change at all during travel, call our office at 800-543-6205 or 320-235-0155



Debriefing Day (summer program)

Summer team members participate in a day-long debriefing at the end of the experience.   This day involves closed discussions with the CTI staff, an open Q&A forum with the greater community, and a final concert presentation by each team.

Family and friends of team members are invited to join us for the open Q&A forum and the final concerts.

Public Q&A Forum:  4:00 - 5:30pm
Final Concerts:  7:00 - 9:00pm

These events will be held at a church in Willmar.  Specific location information will be posted on ctimusic.org and CTI's facebook page a few days prior to the event.

Supper is provided for our team members.  Guests are asked to take advantage of one the many restaurant options available here in Willmar from 5:30 to 7:00. 

Activities prior to 4:00 are closed to non-team members in order to provide the best environment for their debriefing. 



Directions to CTI

The CTI office is located at:

1809 19th st. SW
Willmar, MN 56201