MissionLab's Most Frequently Asked Questions

What does MissionLab offer?

• Lodging in campus dorms or hotel-style rooms
• Three meals a day which include a hot breakfast, sack lunch, and a hot dinner
• Professional staff to facilitate your experience
• Ministry site assignments that match the ability and desires of your group
• Worship services and fellowship opportunities
• Preparation materials designed to spiritually prepare your group for missions in our city
• Private meeting space for group time at night
• A MissionLab t-shirt, devotional, journal, and pen
  

What do I wear?

We are trying to minister to the greatest number of people possible. In effort to help you dress in a manner that will not take away from your ministry efforts, we have provided the following guidelines that are strictly enforced by our staff.

SHORTS: Shorts need to extend at least one inch below fingertips while standing.
SHIRTS: Beware of any offensive or insensitive material printed on t-shirts. You may roll the sleeves up, sleeveless may be worn, but no thin strapped tank-tops or midriffs are allowed. Due to sudden rainfall in New Orleans, girls should pack more than just white t-shirts.
SHOES: Closed toe shoes with heel must be worn while on construction sites. Keep your feet protected!
JEANS: Bring some work jeans. Some sites require volunteers to wear jeans or pants. Hospital scrubs are acceptable. Low cut hip hugger jeans are not allowed unless a shirt is worn long enough to cover the appropriate areas. Undergarments must never been seen.

Is there a place to do laundry on campus?

There are no laundry facilities for MissionLab use on campus. Groups are encouraged to bring enough clothes for each day, including extra clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and will not need to wear again. There are two public laundromats across the street from campus if you absolutely need access to one. They cost $2-$5 per load.

Where do I sleep?

Group leaders choose rooming assignments. Two housing options are available, dormitory or hotel style housing. Dorms are furnished with bunk beds. Pillows, bed linens, towels, and toiletries are not provided for the dorms. Providence Guest House has two-person private rooms with a bathroom and linens provided. The A/C in campus dorms can vary in temperature from “rather warm” to “frigid”. An extra blanket is recommended. Click here to download a complete list of housing rules and regulations. A Rooming List must be submitted two weeks prior to your arrival. Click here to download additional Rooming List forms. MissionLab reserves the right to move roommates according to space and room availability.

What if our Rooming List changes?

If changes must be made to the Rooming List after you have emailed, faxed or mailed it, please notify the MissionLab office as soon as possible.

What is the discipline policy?

If inappropriate behavior is observed or reported to MissionLab staff, a Sponsor or Group Leader will be notified and allowed to handle the situation. In some circumstances, Campus Police may be notified. MissionLab reserves the right to send any Participant home for an offense deemed necessary.

Will we have access to water and ice?

Each group will have access to ice. Please bring water for the week for your group. Remember to bring enough ice chests and coolers to accommodate your drinks.

Can I receive mail while at MissionLab?

Yes. Your family and friends can mail letters and packages to:

Camper’s Name
Church Name
C/O MissionLab
3939 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70126

Will our group have a private meeting area?

A private classroom has been reserved for your Group to meet until 10:00 PM. This can be a special time of prayer, sharing, growth, and bonding with your group. Some activities we suggest are:

• talking through the day’s experiences and how it applies to life back home
• planning for the next day
• personal reflection and worship
  

Will we have any free time?

Free time is available and flexible with our customized schedule. Leaders will decide how free time will be spent. The tourist environment of New Orleans provides opportunities for some great activities. In addition, our Staff can give you a number of options for free or low cost fun to help with your budget. The campus gym and pool are open at various times of the week, depending on the season. Be sure to mention your desires for free time when you set up your trip.

Is New Orleans safe?

When answering the question, "Is New Orleans safe?" I think you could substitute the name of any large metropolitan area of the USA and arrive at the same answer. In general, cities in the US have crime and have neighborhoods that are not safe because of crime rates. The key to safety is in knowing where the danger is and how to avoid it. MissionLab has been in New Orleans since 2000 and many of our staff are native to New Orleans and who know where and when it is safe on the streets of our city. Our ministry partners are locals and because of the long term relationships MissionLab has with them, we can offer the highest level of safety and security to our MissionLab missionaries. One of our staff members is a retired New Orleans Police Officer and knows and understands the heartbeat of this city. The campus of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a secure gated community with 24 hour Campus Police patrols which make our campus not only safe for our guests, but also safe for their vehicles. Since 2000, we have had thousands of people come to MissionLab and New Orleans without any problems or injuries related to crime. The greatest place of safety is, of course, found in the center of God's will for all who serve Him. If God is leading you and your group to be on mission with Him in New Orleans then come on down and as we say, "Pass a good time with us and our Lord."

What should I pack?

Most items are no-brainers, but reminders are always nice.

Bible. T-shirts. Shorts (dress-code length). Bedding (if staying in dorms). Camera. Alarm clock. Toiletries (you may want shower shoes). Towels. Rain jacket/umbrella. Tennis shoes/work boots (closed toe, thick soles). Sweatshirt (the worship building can be cold). Snacks. Bug repellant. Spending money (snacks at Sugar Shack, MissionLab and worship band merchandise) An attitude of servanthood and flexibility!

What should I not bring?

Alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms, fireworks, and/or dangerous weapons are prohibited on campus.

Can I bring my cell phone? iPod? …?

Student possession and use of cell phones and electronic devices such as iPods, CD players, Gameboys, etc. is at the discretion of each Group Leader. We do ask that Students limit their use of cell phones and other electronic devices so as not to be distracted from the mission at hand. NO cell phones are permitted during times of worship. Neither MissionLab nor NOBTS are responsible for damage to or theft of any equipment. Groups are solely responsible for safeguarding their equipment on mission sites and on campus.

What is a lanyard?

Lanyards, hanging name badges, are issued to each participant during check-in. You will write your name on your lanyard and wear it at all times while on campus. This is how our staff and NOBTS staff will identify you as a MissionLab participant. The lanyard also functions as a meal ticket in our dining room (no lanyard = no food). Personal witnessing tools are printed on the back of the lanyards.

Do we need to bring tools?

The Site Coordinator will communicate with you the needs for each ministry site. Each site is different. Some will already have tools available for your use, and some will have none. As your sites are assigned, the Site Coordinator will be able to provide you with details such as these that you will need to prepare for your trip.

Does MissionLab provide transportation to project sites?

No, MissionLab does not provide transportation of any kind (i.e. airport runs, trips to Mission Sites, Walmart runs, hospital runs). If traveling by bus, consider renting a van as a secondary means of transportation for convenience and/or emergencies.

What if we charter a bus driver?

Be sure to arrange all chartered bus driver accommodations such as housing and meals. Your driver is invited to eat with us and stay in our guest housing, but these arrangements must be made in advance. Let us know if you need meals and housing for your bus driver, as these costs are in addition to program fees. Please consult the bus charter company for more details. Before embarking on your MissionLab experience, be sure to address all financial concerns and responsibilities with the charter bus company and the motor coach operator. Contact our office to make arrangements for your bus driver.

How do I get to your campus?

From I-10 going West (coming from Mobile, Picayune, or Slidell): As you come into the city from the East, you will come up on the “high rise” bridge. Make your way to the far right lane on the bridge. As you crest the bridge, the exit for the seminary will be seen (Louisa St., Exit 239). Exit to the right. Take a left at the end of the ramp onto Old Gentilly Rd. Immediately move to the far right lane. Take a right at the traffic light onto Louisa St and immediately move to the left lane. On your right will be an Exxon station and on your left will be a Payless Shoe Store (both closed since Katrina). Take a left at the traffic light onto Gentilly Blvd/Chef Menteur Hwy. Go through the next traffic light and the seminary campus will be on your right. Providence Guest House will be on your left, just before the Chevron station and Church’s Chicken.

From I-10 going East (coming from Baton Rouge or the airport): If you’re coming from the airport, exit the access road that circles the airport onto I-10 East. Stay on I-10 East from the airport for about 10 miles. Gradually make your way to the center lane. Merge left onto I-610/Slidell. (Do not take I-10 to downtown.) Take the Franklin Ave exit (Exit 4). Take a left onto Franklin Ave at the traffic light at the end of the ramp. At the second red light, take a right onto Gentilly Blvd. After a few blocks, you will go under a railroad overpass and the seminary will be on your left. Providence House will be on your right after Church’s Chicken and the Chevron Station.

What else might I like to know?

• Pictures of each church will be posted on our website every week.
• An up-to-date tetanus shot is highly recommended.
• Students may want to bring spending money for any planned activities, shopping, snacks at the Sugar Shack, and MissionLab and worship band merchandise
• Phones are located throughout campus. A calling card or cell phone is recommended for long distance calls.
• The after hours emergency number for groups staying in Providence Guest House is 888.886.7276 or 504.944.4455. The Desk Clerk can page the Director on Call. The Director will return your call or deliver your message as soon as possible.