Our Purpose

Mobile Ministry Solutions, a ministry of Eaglecrest Youth Ministry Services, exists as a non-profit association of churches and youth ministry groups committed to enhancing missional outreach through sharing transportation resources. Mobile Ministry Solutions represents the Association Group organized to carry out this expressed purpose, and is governed by the churches and groups that become members (please contact us for a copy of the organizational by-laws regarding membership and function). Mobile Ministry Solutions is designed to serve its members by providing and maintaining a variety of quality transportation equipment at cost.

Currently, 90 churches and non-profit ministry groups are part of the MMS Association. Our 2011 goal is 100 member churches and groups. If we hit this goal, MMS will be in a position to further expand our range of available vehicles and equipment. This will likely include the purchase of additional 47 passenger motor coach, a 25 passenger shuttle bus, and 12 passenger vans (for churches and groups that are prohibited by their insurance company to use 15 passenger vans).

Additionally, we hope to set up satellite locations possibly in Traverse City, and Northern Indiana. This would include locating vehicles permanently in these locations, thus reducing the cost of pick up and return for churches and groups in these regions.

If you are a current member, or in process of becoming a member, please share the vision of MMS with other churches and non-profit ministries in your area. It's to your advantage for us to increase membership, thus helping the association expand available resources. Additionally, incentives are often available to members who sign on new churches or groups (click on Membership Extras).

As an MMS member, your church or group will save significantly over renting vans or chartering buses. See the Financial Comparison Chart for samples of basic savings. Additionally you'll likely discover that your church or non-profit group will reduce transportation costs over owning your own vehicles. We encourage you to crunch the numbers and take a look. You'll most likely discover that by the time you pay insurance, maintenance expenses, and figure in depreciation, your cost to own is greater than becoming a member of MMS. Additionally, you don't have to worry about maintenance, storage, or turning the key and finding a dead battery. The MMS team takes care of this for you.

The reason our rates are so reasonable is simple. First, Eaglecrest Youth Ministries Services, the parent organization, is a 501 c 3 non-profit corporation. We don't make a profit, just cover our expenses. Second, because Eaglecrest and MMS has very little overhead expense (don't own a building or lot), we pass these savings on to the members.

The MMS team works diligently to find newer and/or well-maintained vehicles. All vehicles are sent through regular safety inspections by certified mechanics. A preventative maintenance program has been established to head off potential "on the road" breakdowns. Although we cannot guarantee a break down won't occur, we believe our program, overseen by qualified, certified mechanics, will minimize potential road issues and breakdowns. Likewise, we follow all the federal and state standards for vehicle safety and driving regulations. No vehicle will be released to a group in a known, unsafe condition. Likewise, all bus drivers, should you use our driver pool or your own, are legally qualified and rigorously screened by our team. All drivers will follow federal and state driving regulations.

Eaglecrest maintains full comprehensive and liability insurance on all vehicles, however each church or group is responsible for providing their own coverage while using MMS vehicles. Damage to vehicles is the responsibility of each group using the vehicles. Additionally, each church or group must seek to establish their own liability and medical coverage for their drivers and occupants. This is normally called "non-hired" or "non-owned" auto coverage, and is typically built into most church insurance policies. If your church or group does not have proper coverage, Eaglecrest/MMS can provide coverage for an additional annual fee (contact us for details). Keep in mind as well that if a vehicle is damaged as a result of negligence or mis-treatment (i.e. towing a heavy trailer), your church or group will be responsible for the repair. Churches and groups are responsible for annually checking to see if their coverage is current and adequate.

Many groups initially contact us and ask about renting or chartering vehicles. We don't use "rental" language because your church or group is not renting equipment from us. In reality, you're using equipment that belongs to you (as well as the other members). That's the benefit of a membership association, and why membership is necessary. We cannot allow non-members to use vehicles or equipment for that reason. That's also why vehicles are not available for personal use. As a member, you also have the privilege of attending two association meetings annually. At these meetings, your church or group will be given a voice and one vote on each motion or amendment. You become part of the governing body. Keep in mind however that based on our by-laws, no one church has a material or financial interest in the Association. Should the Association ever dissolve and assets exist, the assets would be sold and the profits divided equally among all the then current members.

Membership and use rates are set and approved by a Leadership Team. The Leadership Team consists of three officers, elected by the members, and the Eaglecrest Executive Director. This team carefully reviews rates annually and will makes adjustments based on the cost of operation. The membership fee will generally cover administrative expense, payroll, marketing, and insurance. The use rate is based on loan and interest payments, maintenance, depreciation and replacement cost.

We currently have three convenient locations. Our main office is now located in the City On A Hill building (old Zeeland hospital) in Zeeland. For groups in the Holland/Zeeland or Lakeshore areas, this will be your best location. For groups in the greater Grand Rapids, you may use Rosewood Church in Jenison.  For groups in greater Kalamazoo area, you may pick up and return vehicles at Centerpoint Church on 10th street.

Delivery can be arranged in some situations, based on the availability of the MMS team. You must arrange delivery at least two weeks in advance of your trip. An additional cost of $60 per van or $200 per bus (groups within 50 miles of Zeeland office - includes delivery and pick up) or .60 cents a mile for vans and $2.00 mile for buses (groups beyond 50 miles of the Zeeland office). A delivery and pick up quote will be provided in advance. Payment for delivery and pick up must also be paid in advance.

A deposit of $75 a day and $100 for a weekend or full week use shall be necessary to secure any van use dates reserved more than thirty days from the reservation date.  A deposit of $350 a day or weekend and $500 for a full week is required for any bus reservation. If reservations are within 30 days of use, full payment is required within two weeks of the reservation. All deposits must be paid within two weeks of the reservation date or the reserved equipment will be made available to other interested churches or groups.  Deposits are not refundable however if a cancellation occurs at least 30 days prior to your reserved date, you will receive credit for the deposit, which can be used for future vehicle reservations. If the cancellation is within 30 days of scheduled use, the deposit is forfeited. Additionally, if a cancellation is received within 7 days of scheduled use, the church or group shall forfeit 1/2 half the total amount noted on the use agreement. The additional 1/2 half shall be applied as credit toward future use.

Although MMS will make every effort to keep up with demand, vehicles and equipment are available on a first come, first reserved basis, unless otherwise designated. The one exception applies to Gold and Platinum members seeking to secure bus reservations. Once annually a lottery system will be implemented to give every member equal opportunity to secure prime dates. No preferential treatment will be given one member over another. There is no use limit, as long as membership is in good standing and no invoices are delinquent.

Vans shall be released with a full tank of fuel and must be returned the same. If not returned full, a $25 service charge plus the cost of fuel will be invoiced the member. No member will be allowed to use future equipment if any service charge is delinquent. All vans currently use unleaded gasoline, while the buses use diesel. Should the wrong fuel be placed in a vehicle, the church or group is responsible for the cost of repairs (including towing).

The buses have a 150 gallon tank. Groups reserving the bus will be invoiced for fuel cost based on the estimated mileage and cost per gallon, unless otherwise negotiated. Should the cost of fuel increase or decrease .20 cents or more above or below the quote, the church or group will be invoiced the difference or given a credit for future use. Churches or groups using their own bus drivers on trips exceeding 750 miles will be given instructions regarding fuel sites and credit card use.

Upon return, church representatives are responsible to ensure that all trash is collected and disposed properly. If excessive cleaning is necessary, a charge of $25 for vans and $50 for the bus will be assessed the church. Outside cleaning or inside vacuuming is not necessary.

MMS and/or Eaglecrest Youth Ministry Services is not responsible for any personal items left by passengers that are lost, misplaced or abandoned. The church representative using the vehicle is responsible to make arrangements for retrieving items left in vehicles (do not have passengers call us directly).

All driver’s must be at least 21 years of age and not have a DUI, reckless driving offense, or more than four points as a result of speeding tickets or accidents. Bus drivers must have a valid CDL license with a Class A or B, passenger and air brake endorsement, along with an up to date medical card. Bus drivers must also complete a Driver Certification Form (provided by Eaglecrest/MMS - down loadable from our website) and give permission for MMS to conduct a driving history check with the state police. Potential drivers must also schedule a bus orientation and road test with an Eaglecrest/MMS representative (there is a $300 charge for each driver). Eaglecrest/MMS reserves the option to decline a driver based on the driving history check, inexperience, or other concerns. Each church is responsible for monitoring their drivers and maintaining proper insurance coverage for their drivers..

Churches may also use MMS buses for driver testing with a state-approved agency. A MMS representative will provide bus orientation for the driver and deliver the bus to the testing site.

Should a mechanical breakdown occur while using a vehicle or other equipment, the church representative is responsible to seek necessary repair (unless the vehicle can be safely returned to the storage location). A three ring binder with helpful mechanical information will be available in each vehicle. MMS shall reimburse the member church for such repairs. Tolman’s Auto Repair in Allendale shall handle any local van mechanical breakdowns. Hudsonville Towing will handle necessary towing to Tolman’s (if needed). Weller Truck in Grand Rapids shall handle bus issues. If another vehicle needs to be rented for a group to reach a destination or return home, MMS shall also reimburse the church for expenses related to the rental of this vehicle. Such a rental must be approved by delegate representing MMS. MMS shall not be responsible for reimbursement of lost time or delays caused by vehicle breakdown. All vehicles will be kept in safe mechanical condition and no vehicle will be released with a known mechanical or safety issue.

All churches and groups are highly recommended to transport no more than 12 passengers in 15 passenger vans. Eaglecrest and/or MMS will not be responsible or liable should an accident or injuries occur as a result of transporting more than 12 passengers. Likewise, check your insurance company policies regarding 15 passenger vans. Some companies prohibit the use of 15 passenger vans altogether. Within all our 15 passenger vans, seats are easily removed with two quick-release pins. All groups are responsible for removing and re-installing seats. An additional charge of $20 shall be assessed should you want the MMS team to remove a seat(s) in advance of pick up. Additionally, church representatives are responsible for seat belt use among passengers (in vehicles equipped with seat belts). MMS will look to add some 12 passenger vans in the near future.