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Mission Trips

Looking for short-term mission trips with everything organized for you? Every year, International Volunteer HQ supports more than 15,000 people to volunteer abroad on mission trips in 40+ countries around the world. Since 2007, IVHQ has helped more than 138,000 volunteers complete mission trips to Africa , Asia , Europe , South America , Central America , North America , the Caribbean , Middle East , and the Pacific .

IVHQ offers safe, social and fully-supported mission trips for teens , college students , families and individuals at any stage of life, as well as for those seeking summer mission trips and medical mission trips . With long-term and short-term mission trips starting at just $20/day including accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support, IVHQ is the world’s leading mission trip organization.

IVHQ offers both short-term and long-term mission trips with durations ranging from 1 to 24 weeks. Through IVHQ, you can choose from a diverse range of volunteer projects to support, inclduing: childcare volunteering , wildlife conservation , environmental conservation , medical volunteering , teaching abroad , and much more. These international volunteer opportunities enable you to support locally-driven projects that uplift under-resourced communities around the world.

If you’re looking to join a mission trip in 2024 or 2025, we’ve outlined IVHQ’s most popular types of mission trips and all the information you need to know to find your perfect mission.

What is a mission trip?

A mission trip is an international volunteering opportunity centered around collaborative efforts with local communities to provide essential support where it is most needed. These trips can be either religious or non-religious in nature, aiming to uplift individuals, local communities, and natural environments across the globe. IVHQ offers inclusive volunteer abroad programs that welcome participants of all ages and life stages.

Through IVHQ’s diverse range of mission trips , individuals can make a tangible impact while fostering new friendships, discovering diverse cultures, and broadening their horizons—all while contributing to the well-being of those who require assistance the most.

Why do people go on mission trips?

Mission trips are a popular way to combine your desire to travel and see with world with your motivation to give back and make a difference in the world. While some people see mission trips as an opportunity to put their faith into action, others go on mission trips for a variety of non-religious reasons, including:

To make a difference: Many people go on mission trips make a positive impact in the world through providing support to communities in a range of different ways. This could involve volunteering to teach English , building schools or homes , providing medical care , volunteering with animals or supporting environmental conservation .

To gain a new perspective: Traveling to a new country and immersing yourself in a different culture can be a life-changing and transformative experience. Mission trips allow you to see the world with fresh eyes and gain a better understanding of different cultures and ways of life.

To meet new people: Mission trips offer an opportunity to connect with people from all around the world. International volunteers work together towards a common goal, often forming life-long friendships and connections along the way.

To get out of your comfort zone : Mission trips are an opportunity to discover a new sense of purpose by stepping out of your comfort zone, discovering new countries and cultures, and living like the locals. This can be equally challenging and rewarding! Taking a mission trip is an opportunity to growth as person, discover your strengths and weaknesses and redefine your purpose in life.

While people go on mission trips for a variety of reasons, at the heart of it is a desire to make a positive impact on the world, connect with others and build a better future together.

I recently returned from a mission trip to Sri Lanka and it was everything I dreamt it would be. I lived with a family in the jungle next to the longest river in the country, volunteering in a disabled childcare center. I was so happy with the project and had a wonderful - and sometimes challenging - experience. I would recommend this mission trip to anyone who wants to travel alone.

How much does it cost to go on a mission trip?

The cost of going on a mission trip varies depending on the destination and duration of the trip. IVHQ makes mission trips accessible to volunteers worldwide through affordable volunteer program fees and flexible durations.

For example, the cost of a 2-week mission trip with IVHQ to Tanzania is US$415, while a 4-week trip to India is US$585. These costs cover accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, and in-country support from IVHQ’s local team.

Additional costs that volunteers need to consider include the IVHQ registration fee , airfares, travel insurance, and any necessary visas or vaccinations. However, IVHQ provides detailed information and support to help volunteers prepare for their mission trip and manage these additional costs.

It’s worth noting that IVHQ also offers a range of fundraising ideas and resources to help volunteers cover the costs of their trip. For example, volunteers can create a fundraising page via IVHQ’s fundraising partner and share it with friends and family to collect donations.

IVHQ’s fees are transparent and inclusive, making it easy for volunteers to plan and budget for their trip without breaking the bank.

Why do a mission trip with IVHQ?

If you’re looking to join a mission trip, you likely have a social or environmental cause in mind that you’d like to contribute to. Just as you place importance on the program you join, it’s equally as important to choose a responsible mission trip organization.

At IVHQ, we believe that mission trips should contribute positively towards society. Environmental and social impact has always been at the heart of what we do, which is why we’ve undergone rigorous assessment to become a Certified B Corporation , holding us to the highest ethical standards. We’re also the first and only global volunteer travel provider to declare a Climate Emergency and our operations are certified as 100% carbon neutral.

With a B Corp stamp of approval , Program Fees starting at just $20/day including accommodation, and more than 16 years of experience , IVHQ is proud to be the mission trip organization of choice for thousands of individuals and groups looking to take a meaningful mission trip in 2024 & 2025.

Best mission trip opportunities across the globe

IVHQ offers a range of meaningful volunteer programs in Tanzania, Zambia, Victoria Falls, Madagascar, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Zanzibar and Namibia. Explore Africa’s beauty while conserving endangered wildlife or giving back to local communities in need.

Available in 11 countries

IVHQ offers volunteer programs in 15 incredible destinations across Asia, including Bali, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Discover new cultures and play a hands-on role in supporting local social and environmental projects.

North America

Join a volunteer program in Mexico or the USA and choose from a range of meaningful projects, from Childcare and Teaching to Animal Care and Environmental Sustainability. IVHQ’s North American volunteer opportunities are based in New Orleans, or in Merida, Mexico.

Available in 2 countries

Central America

Based in the popular destinations of Costa Rica and Guatemala, IVHQ offers a range of impactful volunteer programs in Central America. Support community initiatives, work alongside locals and embrace unique cultural traditions for up to 24 weeks.

South America

IVHQ’s volunteer trips to South America are based in iconic Latin American locations across Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. With unique opportunities in Teaching, Construction, Wildlife Conservation, Medical, Amazon Jungle Conservation, and more, there’s something to suit every volunteer!

Available in 6 countries

IVHQ’s Caribbean volunteer opportunities are based in and around the stunning islands of Jamaica, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, and Puerto Rico. Give back to the local community through Teaching, Marine Conservation, Childcare, Animal Care and other impact led volunteer projects.

Available in 4 countries

Discover Europe’s rich culture and history on a volunteer program in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Romania or Croatia. Choose from a range of meaningful projects including Wolf Conservation, Youth Support, Teaching, Childcare, Special Needs Support, Environmental Scuba Diving and more.

Middle East

Explore the Middle East on a volunteer trip to Jordan. Choose from a range of community projects such as Youth Support, Women’s Education, Teaching and more. When you’re not giving back, you can explore the Middle East’s unique culture through our exhilarating tours and add-ons.

Available in 1 country

Experience the vibrant culture and welcoming communities of the Pacific on a volunteer trip with IVHQ. Choose from a range of life-enriching programs, from preserving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and coastal waterways in New Zealand to teaching on the beautiful island of Fiji.

Available in 3 countries

Find the best mission trip for you

• Teens & High School Students
• College Students
• Summer Trips

Mission trips for teens & high school students

Joining a mission trip is one of the best ways to step outside of your comfort zone, gain new perspective and give back to communities in need. IVHQ offers a range of mission trips for high school students and teens , meaning you don’t need to be 18 to go abroad and make a difference.

Since 2007, IVHQ has supported thousands of young people to volunteer around the world on our youth mission trips. More than 20% of our volunteers are under 20, so we know a thing or two about providing life-changing, reliable travel experiences for young explorers.

We offer safe and affordable volunteer opportunities for teens and high school students in 17 destinations around the globe. Learn more about how to join a mission trip for under 18s .

Top mission trips for teens & high school students:

Volunteer in costa rica.

Volunteer in Guatemala

Volunteer in Tanzania

Mission trips for college students

Today’s student demographic is more progressive than ever before. That’s why student mission trips have become a popular alternative to studying abroad. Instead of studying abroad, many are opting for a more meaningful form of international travel - one that is regenerative and makes a positive impact on local communities.

IVHQ offers mission trips for college students in more than 40 countries around the world. Our mission trips to Africa are particularly popular amongst students. With fees starting at just US$20 per day, our low-cost mission trips are an affordable way for students and young professionals to discover a new country and gain a global perspective while making the world a better place.

When you go on a mission trip with IVHQ, you also have the opportunity to gain academic credit while you volunteer from as little as US$599 for 5 credits - making a super affordable alternative to studying abroad!

Top mission trips for college students:

Volunteer in peru.

Volunteer in Victoria Falls

Volunteer in Zambia

Mission trips for families

Planning a family mission trip can be a challenge, especially if you’re trying to accommodate multiple age groups. IVHQ’s fully-hosted mission trips mean that you can get away and make a difference without having to coordinate and plan for the entire family. The best part? Lots of IVHQ programs offer private room and accommodation upgrades at a very affordable price!

If you have young children, IVHQ has great options that will give you quality time together while instilling the values of service. Family mission trip opportunities are available in Africa , Asia , Europe , Central America and South America .

Our team of Volunteer Travel Experts can provide you with personalized family mission trip recommendations to match your budget and the causes you care about. Learn more about how you can go on a mission trip as a family .

Top mission trips for families:

Volunteer in kenya.

Volunteer in Portugal

Best short-term mission trips

IVHQ offers short-term mission trips for 1 to 3 weeks in over 40 countries, starting at just $20 per day including accommodation . This means you can get away and experience a new culture without needing to take ample time away from your day-to-day priorities.

Our short-term mission trips are designed for those who want to maximize impact in a short period of time and are perfect for students and professionals who are looking to take an alternative break . With everything organized for you, including airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, you can hit the ground running as soon as you arrive at your destination. Check out our top short-term mission trips for 2024 & 2025:

Top short-term mission trips:

Volunteer in croatia.

Volunteer in Ghana

Volunteer in Mexico

Best summer mission trips

Summer is one of the most popular times of year to go on a mission trip, allowing you to immerse yourself in a new culture and interact with locals while soaking up the sunshine. With time off from work and school, it’s the perfect opportunity to see the world and make a difference alongside like-minded people.

Whether you have a desire to volunteer abroad with animals or want to find a medical volunteer program , check out these top summer mission trips for 2024 & 2025 .

Top summer mission trips:

Volunteer in puerto rico.

Volunteer in South Africa

Volunteer in Zanzibar

How to get started

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Helping People Go and Make Disciples of All Nations

SHORT-TERM TRIPS LONG TERM IMPACT

mission trip

Starts here..

Short-Term Trips

With Servant Life mission partners.

Join us on a Servant Life mission trip with one of our partners around the world. Your short-term trip will be part of strategic, long-term ministry efforts. With our  all-inclusive mission trips , we'll take care of the details such as lodging, meals, and transportation so that you can focus on the ministry!

we take care of the details .

Mission Assist

Go anywhere in the world!

Already know where you're going on your trip, but need some help getting there? Our team of mission trip experts is ready to help. We will book your airfare, take care of your insurance, assist with visas, and equip your team with devotionals, training materials, t-shirts, and more! 

Get started with a FREE quote .

A1Eight Project 

Summer missions for college students.

College aged students, spend your summer serving with one of our global mission partners. Be involved in the front lines of ministry, learn from career missionaries and long-term workers, and be part of giving leadership to short-term teams. Use your entire summer to help advance the gospel.

Apply online today!

Online Store

Mission trip resources and gear.

Whether you're looking for mission trip resources like devotionals or gear like t-shirts, hats, or stickers, we've got what you're looking for! Our four-week devotionals are a popular resource to guide teams spiritually in the weeks before, during, and after your short-term trip.

All proceeds support

global missions.

SERVANT LIFE EXISTS TO SEE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST PROCLAIMED AND LIVED OUT AMONG THE NATIONS.

Since its inception in 1999, Servant Life has been a mission-mobilizing ministry providing dynamic mission experiences for students and adults. Our aim is to connect Christ-followers' love for God to the nations through His Word and empowered by His Spirit. Currently Servant Life sends short-term mission teams to sixteen countries including six locations in the United States, as well as mid-term missionaries around the world. Be a part of the Great Commission by going and taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.

Year Established

Churches Partnered With

Missionaries Mobilized

Gospel Message

— Hudson Taylor, Missionary to China

"The great commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."

• Expedition - Ages 21-30
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• Semesters - Ages 18-30

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More than a Christian Mission Trip.

Come grow with god, love others, and make a difference in the world., world race mission trips, gap year mission trips, semesters mission trips, featured videos, world racer blogs, mission trip fundraising.

WHAT IS A WORLD RACE MISSION TRIP?

The World Race is a life-changing mission trip where you will learn to seek first the kingdom of God, so you can experience a deeper life with Jesus, live in authentic community, serve others and share the love of Jesus. Not just on this mission trip, but for the rest of your life.

“Through the World Race, everything that Christ talked about can be experienced every single day.” – Colleen Widmaier | World Race alumna

Get $350 of Merch when you commit to ANY trip.

Take advantage of this limited time offer to get $350 worth of sweet World Race merchandise! There’s never been a better time to apply for the World Race, sign up and get your merch today!

A JOURNEY INTO A DEEPER LIFE.

Jesus took His disciples on a three-year journey of mission trips to prepare them to carry out His mission for the rest of their lives. In the same way, our desire is to prepare you to seek first the Kingdom of God for the rest of your life.

World Race Mission Trips Christian Outreach to Communities Around the Globe

You have a heart for the Gospel. We have opportunities designed to help you answer God’s call.

Ages: 21 – 30

Ages: 17 – 20

1 – 4 Months

Ages: 18 – 30

How to Partner with Us!

Select an Upcoming Trip

Train and Fundraise

See Reviews From Past Mission Trips

Shanan Zavocki

Through this program, I experienced enough outward encouragement to propel my inward desire forward, and I’ve learned more fully how much my walk with God is truly a relationship and not a routine. God used the World Race to change my life. And He could use it to change your life, too.

Drew Davidson

I loved my time on the Race! Doing World Race Gap Year opened my eyes and heart to more of who Jesus is. There were endless opportunities to see Him move through and in me over my time on the field! I became more confident in who He has called me to be and experienced a deeper hunger for Jesus.

Ellie Miller

On the Race I learned what it looked like to have consistent character through refinement by the holy spirit and the community around me. I was pushed to greater dependence on the father through living out ministry as a lifestyle, not simply a mission trip.

Madison Goodwin

I’m getting to live out revival on a daily basis through teaching, preaching, evangelizing, ministering to the lost. Everything I do is important because it’s important for the Kingdom’s work.

Morgan McCrary

The World Race Gap Year held some of the most challenging months of my life but also some of the most life giving! Before I went on Gap Year I thought I knew Jesus, but after living as a missionary for 7 months, I quickly realized that there was so much more to learn!

Matt Chisenhall

Being a Christian isn’t just about going to church on Sunday morning, but it’s about following God every day and being Obedient to him in every situation and every single day we have the opportunity todo that on the World Race.

Stories from the mission field

Family Is Kingdom | Connor Gaul – World Racer

Posted 12/04/2018.

One Second Everyday for 11 Months! | Krista Booker -World Racer

Posted 11/05/2019.

WHY I GO | Lauren Munson – World Racer

Posted 07/24/2019, see reviews by:, world race updates.

Exploring Tuscany

Let The Learning Begin!

When In Rome – June 4th, 2024 update

Month 1: Exploring Indigenous Guatemala

BY LINDSEY CROWN | AUG 28, 2021

Snapshots of the DR

BY JENNIFER PARIS | JUN 18, 2021

A Day in the Life (Makarios in the Dominican Republic- World Race 2021)

BY KATIE HAMMOND | MAY 29, 2021

World Race Gap Year: Serving with the Dunamis Foundation

BY ELLIE ZELLER APR 23, 2021

Leaving Our Mark in Costa Rica | World Race in Jaco, Costa Rica

BY MICAH TORGERSON MAR 21, 2021

World Race Gap Year: Dear Day 1 Racer..

BY ELLIE ZELLER MAR 12, 2021

You’re at a pivotal point in your life. You want to be who God created you to be and make the right steps that will impact the rest of your life. You’re not alone!

That’s why we created our World Race Semesters Opportunities. We have sent over 132,000 people on mission trips all over the world. The World Race has helped them begin to live in the calling God has for them.

Here are 3 next steps you can take to get to know us and help you select your mission trip.

Why We Love The World Race

Want to go on a mission trip but not sure which one? Learn why you should do a mission trip with us.

21 Day Devotional

Ask an Alumni

The World Race sounds pretty awesome, right? So what’s stopping you? Here are the most common concerns we hear:

Yeah, it sounds like a lot. We’ve led thousands of people on this journey of fundraising, and even though it’s hard work, it’s totally possible. We’ll guide you through the process! Don’t let this fear stop you from pursuing the Lord’s oall on your life!

Each World Race program is priced separately according to the trip and route; you can find the price of each trip by visiting the “Trips” page .

We encourage Racers to connect with a community of supporters for both prayer and financial support. We understand raising money can be intimidating, so we have Admissions Advisors committed to help you through the support raising process. (For more information, Fundraising 101 .)

If you’re worried about finances, don’t be. Over the years, we’ve learned time and time again when God calls, He provides. Still concerned? Check out this video for Our Top 5 Favorite Ways to Fundraise .

Yeah, we’ve heard that too! And sometimes, it can be true. We’re committed to doing mission trips well. In truth, both the long-term missionary and the short-term mission team bring a gift to the throne of our Lord. Long-term missionaries bring direction. Short-term missionaries bring velocity. Often our long-term partners are greatly encouraged by the infusion of life and resources into their ministry that short-term teams bring. It is the person with a long-term commitment to a community who plants a church and disciples its members. The relationships and vision they provide are essential. They are like the rudder on the ship, providing direction, steering the course. Short-term missionaries can be the wind in the sails which give velocity and thrust to the enterprise. They bring with them resources, a prayer base, and tremendous enthusiasm.

Check out this two-part series on the case for short term missions:

Part 1 Part 2

There is an online application process for all our World Race programs. Once you’ve submitted an application and paid the $49 fee, you can select your trip and route preference and schedule a phone interview.

We prayerfully review applications and look forward to learning more about you during the phone interview. By completing this interview, you are not committing to participate in a World Race program. However, as you complete these steps, it will help you decide if the Race is for you.

If accepted, you will secure your spot with a deposit, which also serves as your first donation.

After committing to a route, you’ll be connected with an Admissions Advisor. All of our Advisors on staff are alumni Racers, and their job is to help you with the planning, fundraising, and logistical information you need to prepare to go.

Yes! We do accept international applicants. However, due to the many obstacles including increased cost and complex, varying visa requirements, non-US applicants must coordinate additional logistics, including travel to and from Training Camp, and visas for each destination country.

All trip fees and charges must be paid in US dollars and tax deductions are only available for US residents. Non-US applicants must be fluent in English. Contact us for more details and to determine if you are eligible to apply.

Each day on the World Race looks a little different. Some days will be packed full with construction, VBS, evangelism outreach, relationship building, or praying for the sick. Some days could be slower –shopping for groceries at the market or spending time in prayer for the community and ministry.

Check out the World Race vlog. In this 13 episode vlog, we follow a World Race squad around the world. See first hand what it’s like to be on the World Race.

Regardless of the pace or the activity, every day will be focused on being a part of God’s Kingdom work. Just Contact Us and we’d be happy to share our stories about life on the Race!

The World Race is a program of the interdenominational mission organization Adventures in Missions (Also known as Adventures).

Our staff and leaders come from a wide range of Christian churches and denominations. Read our statement of beliefs for a deeper look at what we believe.

With the different backgrounds of our staff, our Racers, and the ministry partners we serve alongside, you will most likely experience worship styles, Bible teachings, and Christian community different than you’ve previously experienced. We encourage you to dig into Scripture and have ongoing conversations about these things. We love this picture of the body of Christ coming together, united in purpose to bring Jesus to the nations.

We recognize travel brings risk. We have worked hard to put extensive safety protocols in place. But, all Racers need to consider things happen that we can’t predict. People get sick and accidents happen. It is likely you will meet people suffering from a variety of diseases.

To address the issues we face, we have an experienced risk management team. They monitor political, health, weather, and other risks in the regions where we serve. This information includes the U.S. State Department travel warnings. All Racers have a travel insurance policy. The insurance company works closely with us to ensure you will receive the care you need. For more information about the insurance policy, click here .

We have external consultants who assist us in designing and managing our training and field implementation for safety protocols. Our internal risk management team creates contingency plans as needed so we are ready to move teams quickly if the need arises. We also have an extensive network of ministry partners and ministry connections worldwide who provide us with “eyes on the ground” as we assess situations.

Amazing Opportunities Ready to Launch

Go Deep with God

Go deeper with God than you ever imagined possible.

Start your journey. Apply now for the World Race.

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Be the light.

Short-term missions trips that transform lives— yours included..

Travel with purpose.

You feel a deep desire to go, but you’re wondering: If you can give money from home to help, why go on a mission trip?

First and foremost, there’s work to do. Our trips offer practical, meaningful support to those we serve. But that’s just the beginning. As trip goers serve, they’re transformed . Meaning, when you take a trip with Petros Network, you will:

grow your appreciation of other cultures,

shape your understanding of missions, and

expand your view of the Kingdom of God.

Be the change that changes you.

We invite you, to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime missions experience..

We go as citizens of a nation; we return, with hearts forever dislocated by the Almighty, as missionaries to the world.

— Dr. Ray & Linda Noah, Founders

If you’re on the fence, rest assured.

OUR TRIPS ARE:

We’ve led thousands of people on safe, meaningful trips over the last decade.

Our whole process—before, during & after—is carefully designed.

You’ll undergo an immersive Gospel experience that leaves a lasting impact.

Our trips help support & nurture church plants.

Help indigenous leaders spread the Gospel to previously unreached people.

Destinations are extremely poor places where few have ever gone.

Explore the opportunity.

God is so good ..

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE:

Short-term Mission Trips

Trip participants, returned to another trip, church plants, compassion project areas.

 1.4 million 

New Believers

Testimonials from participants..

Your Role: Teaching the Church Planters in Doctrine and Theology.

Your Experience: I had the privilege of preaching the commissioning service this past year (when we send the church planters out into unreached villages to share the Good News and plant a church). I am always brought to tears as the new church planters come up front. Most of them are so young and so excited. They have no formal education. Not even a Bible in some cases. And yet the Lord uses them powerfully to plant churches in unreached villages. It is a constant reminder to me that God doesn’t call the qualified so much as He qualifies the called.

Your Transformation: It is the single most important thing I do every year.

What would you say to someone on the fence about going? If you want to experience the miraculous presence and power of the Holy Spirit at work, go to Ethiopia.

Parker, Colorado

Your Role: Taught financial literacy and entrepreneurship to 130 widows over a 3-day conference.

Your Experience: An unforgettable experience was when we visited one of the widows’ home (shack) and I saw how poor her living condition was. The whole family survived on just a few little potatoes each day. When asked what she got out of the conference, she could recite almost everything that we taught! She was inspired to start her own business with what she learned so she could support her family and provide them with a better life. It was truly one of the most emotional and rewarding experiences of my life!

Your Transformation: I will never be the same again!

What would you say to someone on the fence about going? You cannot afford not to go when God desires your vision to be stretched and to commission you to a higher calling. I would 100 percent go again!

British Columbia, Canada

Your Role: I taught an introductory mechanics class in an area with no access to a mechanic shop or vocational training.

Your Experience: The young men I taught were so eager to learn. I was encouraged by their grasp and understanding of all that I taught them. It was a blessing to me to hear their hearts and what they dream about for their future.

Your Transformation: This trip and others like it have impacted my life significantly by showing me how God will use the talents and skills that he gives you to teach others and build lasting relationships.

What would you say to someone on the fence about going? Be obedient in your calling. Trust that God will use you and your abilities to reach all people. He has gifted each and every one of us; we just need to obey.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Your Role: I was ready and willing to do whatever was needed.

Your Experience: The people of Ethiopia are beautiful inside and out. The interaction with the orphans and widows was so rewarding. The joy I saw in their hearts will forever be imprinted in my mind and heart. When in Southern Ethiopia, the stories that the Church Planters detailed to us were of a committed faith that I had never witnessed before. They were bold and courageous to ‘make Jesus’ famous even at times in the presence of threats.

Your Transformation: I will forever be impacted by my Ethiopian experience – the lack of resources does not temper the Ethiopian heart! I long to return!

What would you say to someone on the fence about going? You will be blessed many times over. Go with an open heart, flexibility, unconditional love, and a willingness to serve.

Bailey, Colorado

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

Here’s how it works:

Go where no one else is going.

Choose a trip.

You have several trips to choose from each year, and we’re happy to assist you in selecting the right trip for you or your group.

Simply complete the online application and we’ll contact you within one business day. When you’re ready, secure your spot on the team with a deposit, then we’ll guide you through the pre-trip planning and training.

Go with confidence.

Our thorough training helps you to be fully prepared for your trip; we make sure you know the ins and outs as well as everything you’ll need to keep you healthy and safe.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted and cared for by partners we know and trust. They’ll handle all the details, logistics, and safeguards to create an experience that’s unforgettable.

Return with fresh perspective.

We can guarantee you won’t return home the same. Meaning, when you take a trip with Petros Network, you will:

• Grow your appreciation for other cultures
• Shape your understanding of missions
• Expand your view of the kingdom of God

Let’s go!

Whether you’re interested in spiritual leadership, healthcare, construction, engineering, education, homemaking, or humanitarian work — there’s a place for you to serve.

ETHIOPIA – UGANDA – SOUTH SUDAN – MYANMAR

2024 Trip Opportunities

Leadership Training and Community Development: Church Planting, Small Business, Global Farming, Women’s Empowerment, Girl’s Power and Boy’s Program, Children’s Feeding Initiatives, Healthcare, Clean Water, Technology, Construction, and Sports Outreach.

Winter / Spring / Summer / Fall

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You may still be wondering…

How much does a trip cost.

Typically trips run anywhere from $3,100 USD to $5,000 USD for combo trips (multiple locations). The total depends on airfare, location(s), and duration of trip.

Trip Payment Schedule:

• Application Submission: $375 trip non-refundable deposit due to secure your spot
• 90 Days before the trip: $1,000 due
• 60 Days before the trip: $1,000 due
• 30 Days before the trip: Remaining balance due

Note: If paying by card, there is a 4% card processing fee.

What is included in the fees?

Trip fees include:

• Short-term travel insurance
• Ground transportation
• Basic meals
• Clean water and hygiene

Not included:

• Passport fees/photos
• Immunizations
• In-country Visa
• Luggage beyond airfare allowance
• Flight insurance
• Laundry service
• Specialty drinks
• Meals at the airport
• Medications
• Electrical adapters
• Possible COVID tests

What training do you provide?

We offer pre-trip training where we lay out roles and responsibilities of each traveler and answer any questions you may have.

What are the qualifications of your staff leaders?

Ray and Linda Noah have served in pastoral ministry for over four decades. Linda has been involved in leadership development in faith and business sectors during that same time. For the past twenty years, Ray and Linda have planted churches in East Africa. In 2012, the success of this church planting effort led the Noah’s to form the Petros Network, a ministry dedicated to planting churches among unreached people groups and equipping these churches/leaders to be catalysts of transformation in the villages in which they are planted. The result is what Petros Network has termed creating Redemptive Lift. Ray has Masters of Arts in Theology from Northwest University and a Doctor of Ministry from the Assembly of God Theological Seminary. Linda is completing her Masters in Leadership Studies.

Who can go on a mission trip?

Anyone is invited to join us on a short-term mission trip. We invite you to take the gospel plunge and join us on a life-impacting experience. As a Petros Network trip participant, you are joining a group of passionate partners whose hearts are stirred to reach the unreached and care for the poor. Together we will serve in some of the poorest, most remote, hard-to-reach places in the world; places where there is little or no infrastructure or resources; and places where people have never experienced God’s love or heard about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Those under the age of 18 may travel to the countries we serve with a parent, guardian, or qualified youth leader. The accompanying adult will assume responsibility for the minor’s behavior and safety. This adult must be willing to leave the trip to accompany the minor home if any behavior or safety reasons warrant the return. Petros Network believes that children of all ages can have a tremendous impact when traveling on outreach trips. It is important that children are mature, flexible, and capable of handling, seeing, and processing economic poverty. However, it is up to the discretion of the parents to determine the appropriate age for their child to travel with us.

In fulfilling our mission, international trips are scheduled multiple times a year with activities varying according to the needs of the local community and the various skills of team members. Some of the challenges found in the areas we serve often seem insurmountable; and yet, when we work together, we can impact one village at a time and then another…and another. That is why we are so excited to have you join us on one of our upcoming Petros Network trips.

Typically, our teams are made up of individuals with a wide variety of giftings and passions. Specialized training is welcomed, but not necessary. If God is calling you to join us, we expect this trip to be one of the high points of your life.

What this short video, Why Go On A Mission Trip:

What types of trips do you offer?

At Petros Network, we work across 100+ denominations and partner with people like you to train and empower indigenous missionaries to meet physical needs, share the Gospel, and help it spread throughout the unreached world.

The needs of the communities we serve are great, and each of our trips can be unique depending upon the team involved and the needs of the community we are serving. Trip itineraries can also vary from one country to two countries, from 10 days to 20 days. Typically, our teams are made up of individuals with a wide variety of giftings and passions. This, along with the tremendous need, allows Petros Network trip participants to serve in various areas and have a God-glorifying holistic impact. Below are activities most teams will experience:

Building, Empowering, and Launching Leaders | Building indigenous leaders is at the core of what we do. We believe a trained leader is the HOPE of the world!

Church Planter Training and Ministry Development

Leadership Training and Development

Small Business Training and Development

Personal and Life Skill Training and Development

Bible and Christian Literature Distribution

Administrative Help: Training check-in and support, conducting Church Planter interviews

Providing Humanitarian Care | We extend God’s love through acts of compassion and care. Jesus not only spoke the WORD, but He cared for the people!

Protecting Children: Education, food, clothing, medical care, and support as needed.

Empowering Women: Small Business training, life skills, business development, micro-grants, renovating homes, personal care, skill-building through the TESFA Project, etc.

Improving Healthcare: Medical and dental clinics

Providing Clean Water and Sanitation: Well drilling, water purification, sanitation development

Feeding Families: Farming and agriculture initiatives, food distribution

Building Character Through Sports: Sport clinics, events

As a trip participant, you will be asked to roll up your sleeves and be the hands of Christ extended in your area of gifting as well as some expanded areas. You may also be asked to help transport training or medical supplies, to serve in a stretching role, or even to teach or give your testimony to a local congregation. We will attempt to use your unique skills and passion for the greatest impact for the glory of God. We can promise you will never be the same.

How does COVID-19 affect the trips?

The restrictions in the areas we serve have been heightened by COVID-19 regulations. While traveling from Country to Country you may need to obtain a Covid test prior to travel. Some countries may require vaccination as well. Our Mobilization Specialist can answer any questions as well as provide up-to-date information on COVID-19 international travel.

Why do people typically go on your trips?

If you are a medical professional, a business man or women, a teacher, a mother, a construction worker, a theologian, a nanny—we need you! Every trip we have a wide variety of projects from working with our widows and orphans to teaching our church planters and everything in between that keeps us going each day.

How do I raise the funds?

We believe God is already providing you the resources necessary for your trip. If you do not have the means readily available, God may desire that you use the need as an opportunity to allow others to participate through prayer and giving, and to grow your own faith and dependence on Him in the process.

Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

• Fundraise Through Your Trip Account
• Face-to-Face Fundraising
• Send Out Support Letters

Reach out to us at [email protected] for more fundraising information.

Where do we stay?

Our teams stay in local hotels in or near the areas we serve. Trip fees include double occupancy hotel accommodation. Single-room accommodation is available for an additional fee. Each trip participant may indicate the name of the person they wish to share the room with as part of the trip application process. If requesting a single room, you may indicate that on your application.

What will I eat?

Generally, food will be prepared by our national hosts and/or eaten in local restaurants. We will eat items such as lamb, chicken, some beef, cabbage, lentils, potatoes, and eggs. Coffee, tea, sodas, and bottled water will be available throughout the day.

It is important to be cautious about what you eat. Avoid fruit that cannot be peeled, uncooked vegetables, salads, fruit juices, raw eggs, and uncooked meat or unprocessed cheese.

Team Members are encouraged to include snack foods, sweets, and granola bars in their luggage. It’s possible that we might miss a meal during our travels, and having a taste of home can provide comfort on a challenging day.

How do I secure a passport?

A valid passport is required to travel to Africa. Here is a quick checklist for a valid US passport:

• Your passport has your correct full legal name on it. (If your name has changed for any reason, the name on record with the Social Security office must match your passport.)
• Your passport has at least three blank pages for Visa purposes.
• Your passport does not expire for at least six months from the departure date.

If all three items are not checked, it is imperative you begin the process to obtain/update your passport.

If You Have Never Had a Passport or You Need to Renew Your Passport

• If you are applying for a passport for the first time or renewing your passport, we recommend you START HERE .
• This simple questionnaire will help you understand the process and determine your fees, required documentation and support materials HERE .
• The regular processing time to obtain a passport is about six weeks. You can expedite your passport for an additional fee, but we strongly encourage you to begin this process well before your trip.

If You Have Applied, Have Concerns or Want to Check on Your Passport

• If you have concerns about your passport or the process, please contact the National Passport Information Center HERE . You can also speak directly with a Customer Service Representative at 1-877-487-2778 .
• Once you have applied for your passport, you can track the progress online HERE .

Interested in learning more about our trip activities?

See a team in action in our Uganda highlight reel from a recent trip. Click HERE to watch!

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS:

Top Tips for International Trips

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PLEASE NOTE: IMMERSION Staff will be out of office Sept. 11-15. After submitting a form, use the link in your email to schedule a call for Sept. 18-22!

Service opportunities assigned to each community or program are not guaranteed to be part of every trip. Fill out an interest form to learn more.

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Short Term Mission Trips for Youth & Adult Groups

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Short-Term Mission Trips for Youth & Adult Groups

An incredible starting point to a life of love and service to others.

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Find Your Trip

1-2 Week Trips (U.S. & Intl)

For Youth or Adult Groups

1-6 Month IMMERSION

For young adults, ages 18-30

Gap Year Programs

9 months, 4 countries

IMMERSION Perspective(s)

3 Weeks, Age 45 and Up

We were made for more.

Break out of the tired rhythms of life focused on ourselves and move toward truly loving and serving your neighbors . Serve from 1 week to 9 months on an EM Mission Trip — find your trip today!

EM mission trips are week-long opportunities for groups seeking to love and serve your neighbors like Jesus across the U.S. and around the world. Find your trip today!

Engage cross-cultural settingswith humility andunderstanding

Come as a guest, ready to listen and learn as much as you serve, bringing crucial experiences back to your own life and community.

Connect to established ministries and organizations

Support and encourage incredible, servant-hearted people already reaching out to their own communities in meaningful ways.

Take part in simple yetprofound service experiences

Serve together with your youth group or adult team. Open the door to a life of loving your neighbors, day-in and day-out.

EM's Approach to Missions

Why partner with EM?

Connect to meaningful domestic or international faith-based service opportunities and join over 35,000 youth and adult volunteers who have learned to serve and love others like Jesus with Experience Mission.

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Why Mission Trips Matter

It’s impossible not to change and grow when we give 100% of our time to serving and learning from people different than ourselves . We are pulled into a bigger story. Our eyes are opened to what God is doing around the world. We are invited to get off the sidelines and dive into the messy and beautiful work of loving our neighbors.

Learn More about EM

Our Heart for Missions

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EM’s 7 Healthy Service Principles

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Connect with us!

Fill out an interest form or call (888) 475-6414 to ask questions and learn more about EM’s service-learning and missions opportunities for groups.

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You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414 .

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Which trip are you interested in?

Individuals (age 18-30):, verify your email address, which position are you applying for.

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Missionary Travel Agency

When God’s call takes you around the world, a call to Golden Rule will take you there.

We understand the importance of being called to the mission field, and we know you need the best way to get there. Whether you’re taking a short-term mission trip or moving abroad to serve the Lord, we can help. By making your travel arrangements our top priority, we free you to direct your energies where they are most needed.

We would be honored to serve you! Contact us today for a free airfare quote!

We appreciate all the efforts you put into making travel arrangements for us! It’s nice to have someone take care of this who understands and takes an interest in our mission. God bless you!

Deborah Missionary in El Salvador

24/7 emergency customer service

In times of travel turmoil—delayed flights, denied boarding, or endless lines—our mission travel office stands by you, even if it means waking us up in the middle of the night. Have peace of mind with an expert who is on your side.

Extra free bags

Our missionary fares give up to 3 free checked bags. This can be a $500+ value and is perfect for taking supplies to the mission field.

Refundable & Changeable

Our humanitarian airfares are refundable and changeable for a reasonable penalty

Missionary Travel Department

Our Christian travel agents are honored to help travelers fulfill the Great Commission. Our team is composed of dedicated Christians, many with backgrounds in missions, church ministry, and education. As a company, we’ve provided ministry travel services for thousands of churches, missionaries, and church mission groups . Our travel agents understand your needs and want to use our experience in the travel industry to give you best travel experience possible. We specialize in international missionary flights.

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Missionary Airfare Luggage Allowance

Our missionary airfares, which are mostly available on Latin & transatlantic flights (and within Europe, Africa, and the Middle East), usually include 2-3 free checked bags. In today’s world of basic economy fares including no checked baggage at all, this can be a benefit worth more than $500!

Cheap Flights for Missionaries

If you’re looking for cheap missionary fares, you’ve come to the right place! We offer discount missionary airfare with special pricing on flights. Sometimes we can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars with discounted flights! But usually our prices are similar to online fares, but with far better terms and customer service.

Missionary Flights to Africa (including Uganda & Kenya)

Africa is our top destination. We do a lot of tickets for missionaries to Entebbe, Uganda and Nairobi, Kenya especially.

Missionary Fares to India

India is another very common destination for our non-profit and humanitarian NGO customers.

Missionary Fares to Japan

We offer a full set of missionary airfare to Japan transatlantic and a limited set of fares transpacific.

Missionary Flights to Haiti

Sadly, American Airlines has discontinued their humanitarian airfare to Haiti. We still serve dozens of Haiti NGOs who came for the extra bags, but stayed for the customer service. If you let us know how many bags you’re taking, we will advise you on the best total cost of flights including extra bags as there is a complicated mix of luggage rules and overages.

We can also refer you to private missionary flights from Port-au-Prince to other parts of Haiti, which is usually used by our missionary organizations due to the current security situation in PAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines offers missionary fares.

The following airlines provide missionary, humanitarian, non-profit fares:

• Delta Airlines, KLM, Air France
• United Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian, SWISS, Brussels, Air Canada
• Qatar Airways
• Kenya Airways
• Ethiopian Airlines

Sadly, American Airlines, British Airways, and Iberia have discontinued their missionary contracts.

What Consolidator sells Missionary Fares?

We are one of the foremost consolidators in the US that sells missionary fares to other travel agencies. If you are interested in applying to be a partner agency, please email [email protected] . We carefully vet and audit our travel agency partners to ensure the tickets are only being sold to non-profit organizations.

What is missionary travel?

Short-term mission trips offer a chance to volunteer internationally, working closely with local communities to offer vital support where it’s needed the most. Long-term missionaries also need to travel back and forth between their home country and their mission field on a regular basis.

How much does it cost to go on a short-term mission trip?

Typical costs range from $900 to $5000 depending on the destination. For example, one of our favorite clients is OneWorld Health who focuses on medical missions. They have trips ranging from $2300 to $5000 in cost.

Who pays for missionary trips?

Short-term mission trips are either paid out of participants’ own pockets or sometimes they fundraise from family, friends, and church to help cover part of the cost.

Long-term missionaries are typically supported by some mix of their local church and the parachurch mission organization they are under.

Why do people go on missionary trips?

Most folks testify that going on a mission trip is life-changing. The three main reasons to go on a short-term mission trip:

• To Glorify God: Putting our faith into action
• To Help Others: To make a difference, serve others, and serve those who serve
• To Change Ourselves: Hands-on experience with The Great Commission and learning about other cultures

What not to do on a mission trip?

The Baptist Missionary Association of America has this excellent list of “don’ts” for a summer mission trip :

• DON’T make promises to missionaries/people that you can’t fulfill immediately.
• DON’T go anywhere alone.
• DON’T eat uncooked vegetables and fruits that are not peeled.
• DON’T gossip.
• DON’T criticize your hosts culture or the United States.
• DON’T pursue a romantic relationship with anyone on your team or at your mission site. You can date them when you get home.
• DON’T be afraid to try local food.
• DON’T make financial commitments during your good-byes.
• DON’T complain about anything! Keep a positive attitude. (Philippians 2:14)

Read the whole list for a great set of DO’s as well!

The ultimate guide to Preparing & planning your Short Term Mission Trip

A short term mission trip is a journey undertaken by individuals or a team of individuals with a specific purpose of engaging in missionary work, volunteer work or community service for a brief period of time.

The trip typically lasts from a few days to a few weeks, and involves working alongside local partners or organizations to support and serve the needs of a community or population in need.

Short term mission trips are often organized by faith-based organizations, churches, or non-profit organizations, and can involve a variety of activities such as teaching, construction, medical care, evangelism, or social outreach. The focus of the trip is to provide assistance and support to the community, while also allowing participants to experience a different culture and grow personally and spiritually.

Benefits of Short Term Mission Trips

Personal Growth and Development: Short term mission trips provide individuals with the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone, challenge themselves, and grow in various areas such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and adaptability.

Cultural Exchange: Short term mission trips allow individuals to immerse themselves in a different culture, learn from local people, and gain a better understanding of their perspectives, values, and way of life.

Spiritual Growth: Short term mission trips provide individuals with the opportunity to deepen their faith, connect with God, and experience His presence in a new way.

Serving Others: Short term mission trips enable individuals to serve others and make a positive impact on their lives, whether it is through building a school, feeding the hungry, providing medical care , or sharing the gospel.

Building Relationships: Short term mission trips create opportunities for individuals to build relationships with team members, ministry partners, and local communities, and develop lasting connections that go beyond the trip.

Developing a Global Perspective: Short term mission trips broaden individuals' worldview and help them understand global issues, challenges, and opportunities, and inspire them to take action and make a difference in their own communities.

Sharing the Gospel: Short term mission trips enable individuals to share the gospel with people who may not have heard it before, and provide them with the opportunity to see lives transformed by the love and grace of God.

Short term mission trips are a popular way for Christians to serve and make a difference in communities around the world. Whether you are planning a trip for yourself, your church group, or another organization, it is important to approach the planning process thoughtfully and intentionally. In this article, we will provide you with the ultimate guide to planning your short term mission trip.

Before diving into the details of planning your short term mission trip, it's important to understand what it is and why it's important. Short term mission trips typically range from one week to a few months, and they involve traveling to a foreign country or domestic location to serve and share the gospel. The benefits of these trips are numerous, including personal spiritual growth, cross-cultural learning, and the opportunity to make a positive impact in the world.

However, planning a successful short term mission trip requires careful consideration of various factors, including your purpose and goals, the destination, team composition, logistics, ministry activities, training and preparation, implementation and execution, and reflection and follow-up.

Ultimate guide to planning and Preparing your short term mission trip

1. Purpose and Goals:- One of the first steps in planning your short term mission trip is identifying the purpose of the trip and setting goals. This may involve asking questions like: What do we hope to accomplish through this trip? How can we serve and share the gospel in a meaningful way? What impact do we hope to make on the community and the individuals we serve?

Having a clear purpose and goals will help guide your planning and ensure that everyone involved is aligned and working towards the same objectives.

2. Destination:- Choosing the right destination is critical to the success of your short term mission trip. When selecting a location, consider factors such as the cultural and linguistic barriers, political stability, and safety concerns. It's important to research the destination thoroughly to ensure that you are aware of any potential risks or challenges.

‍ You should also take the time to learn about the culture and customs of the community you will be serving. This will help you to approach your work with respect and sensitivity and to build meaningful relationships with the people you encounter.

3. Team Composition:- Building the right team for your short term mission trip is essential to its success. Depending on the size and scope of your trip, you may need to recruit volunteers or staff members with specific skills and expertise. You should also consider team roles and responsibilities, as well as the dynamics of the team itself. Building team cohesion and unity is essential to ensure that everyone is working towards the same objectives and that there is open communication and mutual respect among team members.

4. Logistics:- Planning the logistics of your short term mission trip can be a daunting task, but it is essential to ensuring a smooth and successful trip. This may include planning travel arrangements, obtaining necessary documents and visas, identifying accommodations, and planning meals and food options. It is also important to budget for your trip and to develop a fundraising plan if necessary. Consider partnering with your church or other organizations to help raise funds and support for your trip.

5. Ministry Activities:- Identifying ministry opportunities and preparing for them is another critical component of planning your short term mission trip. This may involve coordinating with local partners and organizations, identifying areas of need, and developing a plan for ministry activities. It is important to approach your ministry activities with cultural sensitivity and respect, as well as a focus on building meaningful relationships with the people you encounter.

6. Training and Preparation:- Preparing your team members spiritually and emotionally, as well as training them for ministry activities, is essential to ensuring their success and safety on the trip. This may involve addressing safety and health concerns, as well as preparing for potential challenges and conflicts.

In conclusion, planning a short term mission trip is a significant undertaking that requires careful consideration and attention to detail. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your trip is purposeful, effective, and safe. Remember to identify your purpose and goals, carefully choose your destination, build a strong team, plan logistics, prepare for ministry activities, and reflect on the impact of your trip. Ultimately, the success of your short term mission trip will depend on your commitment to planning, preparation, and execution. With the right approach, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people you serve and deepen your own faith journey in the process. We hope that this guide has been helpful and wish you all the best as you plan your short term mission trip.

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Mission Trips

Join the more than 500,000 participants serving people in need and transforming lives and communities., group mission trips creates short-term domestic and international mission trips for youth groups. each year, over 15,000 participants serve through our home repair, community service, and international mission trips..

When you volunteer with Group Mission Trips, you have the opportunity to engage in meaningful service projects that have a lasting impact on residents and communities around the world. From organized service projects to a Jesus-centered program that sparks deep conversations and daily devotions, our mission trips are designed to help youth and adults grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Our short-term mission trips range from 7-10 days and are perfect for high school students, teens, youth groups, and adults. Our mission trip locations span across North America, South America, Central America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Whether you’re looking for a summer mission trip, or a custom trip, we offer affordable year-round mission trips for any-sized group.

Accreditations & Memberships

We may communicate with you about the information you've requested and other Group Mission Trip services. The use of your information is governed by Group Cares  Privacy Policy.

Short-Term Missions.

Long-term impact..

Group Mission Trips creates the perfect environment for youth and adults to build relationships and make a long-term impact while serving on short-term mission trips across the world.

“I have been taking High School aged youth on mission trips for approximately 20 years. Over the last 12 years I have used GMT. They are by far the best I have used. Their programing is Christ centered and thought provoking.”

Terry O'Hanlon

Workcamp Attendee

“Been on Group Mission Trips for about 15 years! It is a tremendous program and gets kids (and adults!) to participate actively in the expansion of God's Kingdom. The leadership, administration, and staff have been wonderful for each experience. My youth group (as well as myself) have been blessed continually throughout the years!”

“Summer 2019 was my first experience with GMT. I took a group of high schoolers to a South Dakota for home repair on a reservation, and a group of middle + high schoolers to Denver. Both trips were very organized and communication with staff was wonderful! We are excited to use Group again this year! ”

Emily Pearce

Workcamp Participant

“Group Mission Trips provides everything you need to have an amazing, life-changing service experience! Their professional, caring staff is there to guide you in every step of the process.... ”

Beth Taylor

“I've been on 6 mission trips with this organization and I have grown so much because of these experiences. I can not say enough good things about this company! Thank you Group Mission Trips! ”

Sydney Lewis

“One single review cannot describe the life-changing experience that can be had with GMT. Taking middle school and high school kids to an experience that is outside of 'normal' for most kids, helping revitalize communities, and meet people outside their current home and social media bubble is priceless... ”

Brian Anderson

“ I always found the trips well organized and managed, with staff that were dedicated to serving the community hosting the Workcamp, as well as the growth of the youth involved. Having seen the positive outcomes for all involved, I sought out opportunities to continue my involvement with Group Mission Trips after my son graduated from high school.”

Marvin Rasch

“I have worked with Group Mission Trips since the early 90s. Each and every summer it is such a blessing to serve others and help in various communities. There have been so many life changing events over the years. I would definitely recommend Group Mission Trips to others... ”

Phyllis Looker

What is a mission trip?

Mission trips are domestic and international volunteer opportunities centered on serving residents and communities in need through sustainable service projects. Beyond the service projects, mission trips are powerful experiences to:

Build character

Develop leadership skills, grow in faith and relationship with jesus, earn community service hours, focus on others’ needs, invest in the next generation, build authentic relationships, disrupt the busyness of everyday life.

You will experience the transformation that happens on our short-term mission trips when you serve communities across the world and put your faith in action.

Why Group Mission Trips?

Since Group Mission Trips’ beginning in 1990, more than 500,000 mission trip participants have racked up more than 15 million volunteer hours serving people in need. Thousands of lives and communities have been impacted and transformed through our domestic and international mission trips. Group Mission Trips creates the perfect environment for youth and adults to build relationships and make a long-term impact while serving on short-term mission trips across the world.

Organization

Our team organizes your service projects and the details of your mission trip experience so you don’t have to. Stress-free and hassle-free is the way it should be.

Safety is our number one priority, as we're sure it is yours. We require all staff and adult volunteers to have background checks, limit the adult to student ratios, and many more on our list of safety procedures that can be found in our FAQ sections.

You're not alone in the planning process. In fact, our all-star mission trip advisors will help you with all the details to plan your next mission trip and provide personalized communication and details specific to your mission trip.

Sustainable Partnerships

We believe the best way to serve on a mission trip is to partner with local ministries, organizations, and individuals already embedded in each community. We come alongside their ministries and provide support for their sustainable year-round programs.

When you go on a mission trip with Group Mission Trips, you’ll have a trained staff who will be your liaison and coordinators of all details while you're serving.

Customization

Have a specific need? We're always happy to customize mission trips for you and your group. We understand each group has specific needs, and our mission trips advisors are here to help accommodate you.

Safety is our number one priority, as we're sure it is yours. Our team stays up to date with all travel advisories and the latest international news to ensure all safety measures are taken.

When you go on a mission trip with Group Mission Trips, you’ll have a designated trip leader with your group who will be your liaison and coordinator of all details while you're serving.

Don't see a date that works for you? We're always happy to customize mission trips for you and your group. We've customized trips for individuals, families, school groups, sports teams, dance teams, companies, youth groups, and more.

Choose Your Best

Mission trip experience..

Group Mission Trips partners with long-term ministries rooted in the countries we serve to provide meaningful support for their year-round programs. When you go on a mission trip with GMT, you’ll come alongside our partners’ ongoing efforts and provide support and encouragement through practical service projects.

Group Mission Trips offers a variety of service projects in each mission trip location. From home repair and construction projects to domestic and international community development projects, there are many opportunities to connect your interests with needs across the world.

High-energy environments for serving people in need through home repair while Jesus radically transforms lives.

Starting at $298

Meaningful community service alongside strong local ministries and nonprofit organizations who ensure your impact continues long term.

Starting at $849

Cross-cultural service gives youth groups the opportunity to gain new perspective while serving people in need around the world.

Starting from $498

Starting from $298

MISSION TRIP LOCATIONS

Mission trips in the usa.

• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

Mission trips in the non-contiguous USA

• Puerto Rico USA

Mission trips in Central America

• Dominican Republic

Mission trips in South America

Mission trips in europe.

Have Questions?

Bri, our Customer Care Advisor, can answer any questions you have about serving on a Mission Trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate.

For Workcamps & Week of Hope

• Due to liability, under-aged participants will be sent home at their own expense ( NO babies or any children under the required age).
• Only registered participants are permitted at the lodging facility and on the project sites.
• No special skills are required.
• 19 or 20 year olds are welcome to attend as participants! Remember that  only those that are 21 or older will be considered “adults”  at camp and count in your 1 adult to 5 youth required ratio.

Will our group be working together?

We normally split groups up into work crews.  But, we are willing to work with your group on how you’d like to split into crews. Our work crews are made up of six people with usually one or two adults and four or five youth--typically each person from a different church. If you’d like to have your youth meet new friends and develop friendships outside of your youth group, then allow us to split up your group. If you have specific church safety rules that require your group to be together, we are more than happy to arrange that for your group as well. Our top priority is to partner with you to arrange the best experience for your youth group and help you meet your ministry goals.

What about safety?

Safety is our top priority!

• We require groups to bring 1 adult (21 or older) for every 5 participants that are under 21 years of age.
• We require participants that are 18 and older be screened and background-checked by their church. Their pastor signs off that they meet Group Mission Trips' requirements and that they are approved to attend.
• Every staff member has been screened, background-checked, and reference checked by Group Mission Trips.
• For overall protection, we have separate shower times designated for participants that are 17 and younger from those that are 18 and older.
• We review safety procedures at camp.
• Participants are not required to do any work that they consider unsafe.
• Although we do serve in needy areas, we require crews to stay together at all times. No one should ever be left alone and all participants are back at the lodging facility by their designated check in time.
• Group Mission Trips' staff visit the crews every day so they are aware of where a crew is working and any issues in the area.
• Every crew has the direct phone number to the GMT office and directions to the closest hospital. If an injury occurs on the project site, and is not serious, GMT staff will contact the youth leader and coordinate any transportation needed. If the injury is serious, the adult on site will call 911 and GMT staff will offer support and ensure needed medical forms are delivered to hospital.
• Each crew will have a small first aid kit and a bigger one for every vehicle. 

The safety of your group is a top priority for us, as we’re sure it is for you. In all the areas we serve, we take extra precautions to make sure you or your group is as safe as possible. Guided by our local, experienced ministry staff partners, we avoid situations that are inherently dangerous. We’re also proactive by choosing lodging facilities and transportation that are safe and reliable. Our mission trip advisors are glad to answer further safety questions.

What about transportation?

For Domestic trips

• Groups must provide transportation to and from the mission trip as well as daily to and from the sites.
• All vehicles must be available for transportation to and from the sites. (Mileage or fuel costs are not reimbursed for any transportation costs.)
• Vehicles with a minimum capacity of six passengers are requested, with seat belts. While adults will be driving their vehicles, they typically will not be transporting a crew that includes their own youth members. Typically, the youth from your group will be traveling in other vehicles with their crews.
• Due to rough terrain and narrow roads, there are some locations that are labeled “Not Bus Accessible”. If you are serving at one of these, you’ll need to plan on bringing smaller vehicles.

What will we be doing?

For Workcamps

Your participants will provide home repairs at no cost for elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged people who need your help. Work crews typically serve the same resident for the entire trip, creating an environment where meaningful relationships develop.

Most projects are designed to be completed during the trip, allowing your group to experience the satisfaction of a job well done. You’ll serve the needs of others through projects like interior and exterior painting, building or repairing porches and wheelchair ramps, building or repairing steps, weatherization and other home repairs. No skills are needed!

For Week of Hope

Be ready to tackle any project and expect to interact each day with local residents from the community.  Crews typically serve at the same organization for the entire camp (or at the most 2 organizations), creating an environment where meaningful relationships develop. 

Projects could include working with children at a day camp, serving at a food bank or homeless shelter, leading a Vacation Bible School, improving the homes of people in need, assisting the elderly, tutoring struggling kids, working with disabled children, facilitating a sports camp, and/or serving churches and other human service organizations in different ways. If there are any minor repair projects, we may ask your group to bring a few small hand tools and paint brushes.

Where do we stay?

For Workcamps Classic

A Workcamp can hold up to 400 participants and we house them all typically at a middle or high school. Group Mission Trip staff transforms the facility into a home away from home–there will be a separate boy’s hall and girl’s hall, a cafeteria for meals, adequate bathrooms and showers, and either a gym or auditorium for programs.

Participants need to bring twin-size air mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags or other bedding to sleep on classroom floors. Youth groups are assigned to sleeping rooms together, gender separate. Sleeping rooms may be shared with other youth groups, depending on the size of groups and the size of the room.

Registered groups can see more information about their lodging facility online on their Customer Account under Lodging Info. The primary contact will have access to the lodging facility’s address.

For Workcamps Flex

Workcamp Flex does not include lodging. It has all the outstanding elements of our Workcamp Classic but at a more affordable price, allowing you more flexibility in what you eat and where you sleep.

A Week of Hope can hold up to 100 participants and we house them all typically at a local church. Group Mission Trips' staff transforms the facility into a home away from home–there will be a separate boy’s hall and girl’s hall, a space for meals, adequate bathrooms and showers, and a space for the programs.

Participants need to bring twin-size air mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags or other bedding to sleep on floors. Youth groups are assigned to sleeping rooms together, gender separate. Sleeping rooms may be shared with other youth groups, depending on the size of groups and the size of the room.

What is the menu? What if there are special dietary needs?

For Workcamps and Week of Hope

Meals will consist of hot breakfasts, picnic-style lunches, and hot dinners. All meals will be prepared for participants by kitchen staff. Picnic-style lunches will be assembled in the mornings and brought to work sites. The first provided meal is dinner on Sunday and the last meal is breakfast on Saturday. IMPORTANT NOTE: Dinner is NOT provided on Wednesday, youth groups have free time this day and dinner is on their own.

For registered groups:  If you have a participant that has to eat gluten-free--please let us know. We can have a few gluten free options at camp, but need to know in advance to plan. The sample menu is located on your customer account, under Helpful Resources, and under Schedule, Menu, and Packing. Share this with your participants so they can start planning. Participants with special diets or allergies are welcome to bring their own food items to fill in as needed during the week. Please know that we do have peanut butter on the menu. Group Mission Trips is unable to guarantee there will not be any cross-contamination during meal preparation by kitchen staff. There will be a staff member available at camp who will be able to answer any questions about food.

Workcamp Flex provides only lunch at your Work Site. You choose what you eat for breakfast and dinner each day.

What are the programs like?

Focused on Jesus.  Our goal is to point people to Jesus. Programs focus on Bible passages and daily themes that challenge us to respond to Jesus in ways we will never forget.

Interactive . People learn better by doing. Participants will be involved in sharing, speaking, acting, reflecting...not just sitting and watching.

Relevant.  Through creative multimedia, thought provoking sound and video, our programs are designed to reach everyone.

Fun.  Relationship-building activities, games and having fun are part of every program. Expect to have a great time!

What's included in the registration fee?

• Lodging during the camp.*
• All meals, except for dinner on Wednesday for a Workcamp.*
• Site selection and organization.
• Supplies and project materials for each work site.
• Bible-based thematic, fun, faith building programs.
• Devotions to do before, during, and after camp.
• Highly trained staff to handle all the details.
• Custodians and cafeteria staff to take care of lodging cleanliness and meals.
• An online Group Page full of camp information and resources to help prepare you and your group for camp.
• Unlimited customer support from professional and courteous staff.
• T-shirt and Mission Handbook for each participant.

*Workcamp Flex has all the outstanding elements of our Workcamp Classic but at a more affordable price, allowing you more flexibility in what you eat and where you sleep. Lodging and meals (except lunch at your Work Site each day) are not included.

For an expanded list of Frequently Asked Questions, please visit our FAQ Page for details about each experience we offer.

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The Best Mission Trips

By Nick Callos

What exactly are mission trips? 

Mission trips aim to uplift people in need around the world by addressing key problems, much like volunteer abroad programs do. With your mission trip group, you’ll build houses , teach English , work at daycares , and do other tasks that help local communities. 

If you’ve been thinking about a short- or long-term mission trip, do your research first. By choosing the best mission trip organization and project, you can have an amazing experience and enact positive change. 

In this guide, we’ll cover both religious and non-religious mission trips, giving you all the vital details. We’ll also go over how to choose a program, what to expect, and how to prepare for a mission trip. 

Let’s continue!

What do you do on a mission trip? 

In general, you’ll enhance the quality of life in marginalized communities through improvements in education, healthcare , infrastructure, community governance, environmental sustainability, and other key areas. Expect to engage in tasks like building medical clinics, teaching English, cleaning up litter , and more. Be ready to work hard as a mission trip volunteer!  

What you do exactly depends on the type of mission trip you’ll join. In a broad sense, mission trips fit into one of two categories:

• Religious mission trips
• Non-religious mission trips

For both religious and non-religious mission trips, you’ll have the opportunity for self-exploration and the ability to create positive change within a disadvantaged community. And you can make lasting connections with local people and other mission workers or volunteers. 

Before you search for programs, understand the difference between religious mission trips and non-religious mission trips. This will ensure you join a project that aligns with your values, goals, and interests.

How do religious mission trips differ from non-religious mission trips?

To gain a better understanding, let’s define religious mission trips and non-religious mission trips. 

What is a religious mission trip?

Religious mission trips refer to a religious volunteer experience in an underserved community. Mission trips like these are generally taken on behalf of a church group or religious group, and include things like group prayer with the community they’re serving (which distinguishes them from other forms of volunteer travel ).

In most cases, people in the host area don’t widely practice the faith of the mission trip volunteers. Service workers strive to lead locals toward God and their religion, on top of serving the community through various tasks. Through preaching, discussion, and sharing of values, missionaries aim to convert local people to their religion. 

Note: You may get the chance to preach to community members with the hopes of religious conversion. But some programs may require that you be a long-term missionary to have the authority to preach and convert locals to your religion. Ask about that beforehand. 

Religious mission trips do go beyond sharing beliefs and inviting others to join your faith. As the name suggests, mission trips have a specific mission. Usually, that mission combines spreading the religion with a tangible project, like building a house for a poor community, caring for children at an orphanage, or improving access to education .  

In this sense, religious and non-religious mission trips do have lots of similarities. Both types of trips focus on helping and empowering local communities in need. 

However, the overarching force that drives these projects is faith. That’s why, on a religious mission trip, you’ll partake in numerous faith-based activities that you don’t on mission trips for non-religious groups. Such activities include: 

• Church service
• Community prayer
• Religious discussions
• Talking about your religion with locals

What is a non-religious mission trip?

A mission trip for non-religious volunteers mainly focuses on uplifting disadvantaged people and communities abroad. Volunteers provide their expertise, time, energy, and passion to make a tangible impact. 

Through a non-religious mission trip, you can make a difference in a large variety of ways. You can choose among lots of non-religious mission trip organizations too.

For example, GoEco , a volunteer abroad organization with more than 150 service initiatives, operates non-religious mission trips across the world, from teaching children in Fiji to community outreach in Zambia . 

Volunteering Solutions (VolSol) , a volunteer abroad organization that’s been around since 2006, offers non-secular service opportunities worldwide in areas like women’s empowerment, community development, and childcare. 

As you can see, there are opportunities for both skilled and unskilled volunteers. More project examples include: 

• Offering medical services in areas without adequate healthcare access (medical mission trips are among the most popular non-religious programs)
• Building houses and schools in rural villages
• Caring for children at a daycare center
• Taking care of the elderly in need

In addition, non-religious mission trips include other types of projects you won’t commonly find with religious mission trips. Initiatives may center around wildlife conservation, marine conservation , farming, sports coaching , business development, and other types of service work. 

Beyond helping the local community, non-religious mission trips aspire to provide volunteers with meaningful experiences. These mission trip organizations want to empower you to travel with a purpose. When you join such a project, having fun, gaining new cultural perspectives, and growing as a person should be goals you have. 

Now that you know about the types of mission trips, let’s discuss going on one.

Why go on a mission trip?

A mission trip can be a powerful, life-changing experience that broadens your perspective, gives you better direction, teaches you new skills, and rejuvenates your body and mind . You can also learn about a foreign culture and meet like-minded people from around the world. And the experience could even inspire you to a life of service and volunteerism.

What’s also great is that anyone can join. Religious and non-religious mission trips suit all sorts of people, including high school students , college students, young adults, mid-career professionals, and seniors and retirees . 

Note: Certain mission trips may be designed for specific age groups and have set lengths of stay. Keep that in mind when searching for a program. If you’re looking for the best mission trips for college students or the best mission trips for adults, inquire with your church or mission trip organization. They’ll help you register for the most suitable program. 

To summarize, mission trips can transform you for the better. Go with an open heart and open mind, and you’ll see, do, and experience wonderful things. 

What are the best non-religious mission trips?

As mentioned earlier, mission trips for non-religious groups could involve any number of aid projects in areas like construction, healthcare, education, and childcare . Common duties include:

• building and repairing houses, schools, and churches
• providing basic medical treatment
• teaching English and other subjects
• caring for orphans and disadvantaged children
• implementing environmental conservation programs

If you’d like more options and/or simply wish to join a secular volunteer project, know you can choose among a plethora of opportunities. Through non-religious mission trip organizations, you can volunteer abroad and teach abroad around the world, and improve the future prospects of marginalized communities.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best non-religious mission trip organizations.

Founded in 2006 by experienced volunteers, GoEco was recognized as the Top Volunteer Abroad Organization in 2018 by GoAbroad. They carefully vet each mission trip to ensure high standards for quality and safety. 

Through GoEco, you can do good around the world, from North America to the Middle East to Australasia. GoEco’s wildlife conservation programs, like their desert wildlife initiative in Israel and orangutan rescue program in Indonesia , are particularly great. They also have high-quality medical mission trips, like their healthcare support project in Malawi.  

Read about some of the most popular non-religious mission trips with GoEco below: 

Rural Healthcare and HIV/AIDS Awareness in South Africa

Interested in a medical mission trip? Help curb the HIV/AIDS crisis as you work in rural clinics in Saint Lucia, South Africa. Your tasks include assistance with home-based care, helping families get proper support, and holding awareness workshops to educate and alleviate the stigma of HIV/AIDS. As you volunteer, you’ll get to immerse yourself in Zulu culture and learn about traditional customs. 

This is an amazing medical mission trip where you’ll see the impact of your work immediately. Click here to learn more and register !

For a full list of GoEco’s top medical mission trips, visit this webpage . 

Teach in Buddhist Monasteries in Nepal

Engage in positive cultural exchange with local monks at a monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. As a service worker, you’ll teach English to young monks, enabling them to improve their language skills. You’ll also get involved in other tasks around the monastery, such as gardening, library work, and cooking. 

Former missionary workers have made amazing memories here, like Melanie: 

“In addition to teaching monks, I got to work at an orphanage in Kathmandu. It was an amazing month that I will endlessly cherish and continue to learn from.”

Ready to experience life on top of the world —literally? Find out all the details here .

For a full list of GoEco’s non-religious mission trips, visit this webpage .

Volunteering Solutions

About the Program:  Volunteering Solutions , or VolSol, as it has been nicknamed by its 17,000 volunteers and volunteer alums, has been connecting passionate volunteers with great international projects since 2006. VolSol was founded by volunteers who wanted to help international volunteers connect to highly specialized, community-based local projects.

VolSol has a full staff of experienced coordinators who assist volunteers before, during, and after placement, providing resources such as international insurance, a connection to a network of passionate global citizens over 17,000 strong and resources on how to volunteer ethically and mindfully. VolSol is one of the most affordable programs in the world with one week projects starting at just $200 USD .

Where to Go:  Volunteering Solutions has  programs all over the world  on six continents. Volunteers can’t go wrong with projects like  Volunteering for Child Care in Cusco, Perú , where volunteers have the opportunity to work with local at-risk children to teach them to become global citizens or  Volunteering in Koh Samui, Thailand  where volunteers are lucky enough to work in local schools in one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand– and that’s saying something! Volunteers can search through programs by visiting VolSol’s project page on Volunteering Forever, where all projects are described and rated by volunteers like you.

Short-Term Volunteering in Peru

Another adventurous, two-week volunteer opportunity you can sign up for right now through Volunteering Solutions invites you to Peru to  volunteer and travel to some of South America’s most spectacular sites . You’ll start with an orientation and intercultural project for your first week in Cusco, where you’ll volunteer in a rural nursery school to provide love, care, and attention to children from impoverished families.

After that, you’ll have some time to explore Cusco by yourself before embarking on a guided Sacred Valley tour, and then an amazing tour of Machu Picchu. This is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Peruvian culture while exploring the Inca Trail and bringing a smile to the face of some of the country’s neediest children.

Sports Coaching in South Africa

If you’ve always wanted to visit Africa, Volunteering Solutions is offering a chance for you to  coach sports at a local primary school in Cape Town . Physical education has only recently been introduced into the school curriculum in Cape Town, so many schools are still building up their resources to accommodate these programs. As a volunteer, you’ll be a mentor to these children, assist teachers with lessons when you’re not coaching, and you’ll teach children how to stay physically fit and motivated to keep a healthy lifestyle. In addition to your volunteer work, you’ll be able to travel throughout Cape Town and visit areas such as Table Mountain, Robben Island, Lion’s Head, and more to gain the most from your adventure in South Africa.

A Broader View (ABV)

Specializing in volunteer programs and mission trips abroad, A Broader View calls people from all walks of life to do something meaningful and good. ABV gets excellent reviews from past missionary workers, with a rating of 4.99 out of 5 across 263 reviews on Volunteer Forever. That’s a testament to the quality of their missionary work overseas.

Specifically, ABV’s medical mission trips earn lots of praise. Look over two initiatives below!

Medical Mission Trip to Honduras

Travel to La Ceiba, Honduras! There, you’ll provide crucial support to understaffed and ill-equipped hospitals and clinics. A lot of the local community lives in poverty and lacks access to healthcare, so your help as a missionary goes a long way in getting people necessary services. Duties include assisting in the emergency room, observing minor surgeries, running errands for medical staff, and doing community outreach. How hands-on your role is depends on your experience. 

Many former participants have had great experiences, such as Allison: 

“Volunteering in the hospitals and walking through the neighborhoods vaccinating the community was one of the most unique and life-changing experiences I’ve had. Our ABV coordinator in Honduras helped us with everything we needed during the trip.”

Interested in a mission trip to Honduras? Get all the details and sign up here !

Medical Mission Trip to Ghana

Make your way to the town of Kasoa, where you’ll work at an understaffed health center. As a missionary worker, you’ll assist staff and host community education workshops to inform locals about the symptoms and treatment of malaria, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, and other health issues. Your efforts will boost the overall health of the community! 

This mission trip in Ghana is available for healthcare professionals or anyone enrolled in a medical program at school. For more details, visit ABV’s site . 

For a full list of ABV’s mission trips abroad, click here . 

Established in 1989, Frontier has placed more than 103,000 volunteers in projects overseas. They’re known for their incredible amount of projects, from childcare to conservation to human rights initiatives. Through their non-religious mission trips, Frontier offers services workers a way to contribute to deserving communities , learn about another culture, and explore their own beliefs and faith.

If you’re looking for missionary work overseas, definitely consider Frontier’s two programs (details below!). 

Uganda Missionary Work

With dramatic landscapes and welcoming people, Uganda provides a unique experience for missionaries. Dive into life in the local community as you do healthcare outreach work, build community infrastructure, help with childcare, and host environmental awareness workshops. 

Missionary workers who’ve joined this program have great things to say, like James: 

“It was an adventure of a lifetime. I was made to feel welcome by everybody in Uganda. The work was great — hard and long but loads of fun. The culture is different from ours and it was fascinating to find out how life works for them. I would highly recommend this project.”

For more details on Frontier’s missionary work overseas in Uganda, click here .

Ecuador Missionary Work

Head to the vibrant city of Quito, where you’ll enrich the lives of disabled and underprivileged children at a local school. Duties include organizing recreational activities, running vocational training workshops, helping with medical care, and more. Along the way, you’ll get to learn about the Ecuadorian way of life!

For more details on Frontier’s missionary work overseas in Ecuador, click here . 

What are the best religious mission trips?

First and foremost, your impact as a service worker will be felt and appreciated. 

As the International Mission Board, a Baptist Christian missionary society, notes, mission trips play a vital role in supporting permanent missionaries . Short-term mission workers offer key support to long-term mission strategies. They help fuel spiritual passion in locals and empower them to live a life of religious devotion. 

Your exact role depends on what project you join and what your goals are. That’s why the best service project for you may not be the best one for someone else. 

As you learn about the best mission trip organizations, look for those that put the needs of the local community above all else. You have plenty of great choices, so do your research. You may even find the best mission trip organization for what you want to do right in your hometown! 

When searching for the best mission trips, it’s vital that you first understand your options. Generally speaking, you’ll go on a religious mission trip through your church and with other members of your congregation. Church organizers put the trips together and the adventures serve as a way to more deeply integrate members into the faith, especially the youth.

If you can’t go with your local church, or would like more choices, you can join a religious mission trip through another church in your area. Ask around and make calls to see what trips are happening. You can also search for opportunities through a non-profit regional or national mission trip organization.

For instance, Maryknoll Mission Trips offers lay Catholics around the world the chance to serve as an ambassador for the Catholic faith while engaging in service work. Through their volunteer mission trips, you can serve throughout Latin America, Africa, and Asia . 

Additionally, know the mission. This way, you can understand if the trip will be fulfilling for you personally and spiritually. Religious mission trips very often focus on construction, teaching , childcare, and healthcare . 

Some of the best mission trips include:

• Bringing clean water to Haiti with Healing Haiti , a Christian mission organization
• Teaching in the Philippines with OMF International , an interdenominational and international Protestant Christian missionary society
• Building houses in India with the Fuller Center for Housing , an ecumenical Christian housing ministry
• Working at an HIV/AIDS clinic in central Nigeria with Mission Africa , an interdenominational, evangelical Christian missionary society. 

You should also know that you can participate in initiatives specific to a religious sect or join an interdenominational faith mission. The broader, interdenominational mission societies still commit themselves to bringing the news of God to locals. You’ll join in prayer, discuss religious beliefs with the community, and live out God’s words. It’s just your work won’t directly tie to your religious denomination, like it would if you volunteered through your church. 

To conclude, consider your beliefs and faith, what you want to do, where you want to go, and what mission trip organization you’d like to join. This will enable you to choose the best mission trip for you and have a truly transformative experience. 

Are there alternatives to mission trips abroad?

Yes! Through volunteer abroad programs, you can participate in community service work that’s similar to mission trips.

Below, we’ve highlighted four great international volunteer organizations that operate service projects overseas.

Plan My Gap Year (PMGY)

With volunteer experiences available in 17 countries across South America, Africa, and Asia, Plan My Gap Year offers volunteer programs in the areas of childcare, medical care, teaching, wildlife preservation, and more. Their programs range in length from one week to 40 weeks or more. Through PMGY , you could: 

• Care for disabled children in Ghana (from $624 for two weeks)
• Teach English in a slum school in India (from $579 for two weeks)
• Rescue wildlife in Bali (from $519 for one week)

To view all of PMGY’s service projects, click here !

Maximo Nivel

If you want to do service work in Latin America, Maximo Nivel has tons of wonderful programs in Costa Rica , Guatemala , and Peru . Do medical volunteering, work with kids, join an eco-agriculture project , protect sea turtles, or get involved with hands-on community development work. Maximo Nivel even has internships in fields like human rights , education, and medicine, giving you the chance to gain practical experience and do good.  

For a full list of Maximo Nivel’s volunteer abroad opportunities, click here !

Love Volunteers

Known for their affordability, transparency, and strong commitment to local communities, Love Volunteers operates in more than 34 countries. From community development work in Bosnia (from just $569 for four weeks) to medical internships in Uganda (from $429 for two weeks), Love Volunteers has a variety of volunteer projects in a variety of locations. They’re highly rated by past volunteers — a testament to their quality of work. 

To check out all of Love Volunteers’ service opportunities, see their site !

Projects Abroad

Established in 1992, Projects Abroad has become a highly trusted name in volunteering abroad. They’ve placed more than 120,000 people in programs, and have been featured by the likes of the BBC and CNN. They have projects across every continent. Through Projects Abroad, you could: 

• Support female entrepreneurs through a micro-finance internship in Tanzania (from $3,660 for four weeks)
• Coach sports in Samoa (from $3,260 for four weeks) 

For a full overview of Projects Abroad’s programs, click here !

Alai International

Alai International aims to empower volunteers to make a positive difference as they roam the globe. With 475+ programs across 41+ locations, from Mongolia to Ethiopia to Colombia , you can certainly find a suitable program, whether that be teaching at a school or environmental conservation . 

Visit Alai International’s site to learn more!

How long are mission trips?

Depending on your needs and aspirations, you could take a short-term, mid-term, or long-term mission trip. You’ll find the most options within the one-week to eight-month range, since longer trips require a greater commitment. Length also varies depending on if you sign up for a religious or non-religious mission trip (see details below).

Length of religious mission trips

Religious mission trips have a specific structure. Often done in a group (not an individual/solo trip ), mission trips maintain a very set daily schedule, with allotted time for work, prayer, preaching, reflection, cultural immersion, and entertainment. 

How long you stay depends on the organization and specific requirements of your religion. Typically, programs don’t last incredibly long (e.g., five days, one week, two weeks, or a month). With some mission trip organizations, you can serve for a few months or more. 

Long-term missions do exist and usually require that you stay at least two years. According to The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) , a global alliance of churches and missionaries, long-term missionaries are “ the backbone of ministries” and are “relentlessly committed” to living out their church’s mission. 

Do note that some denominations, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , have followers that commonly go on longer mission trips. Those in the LDS church serve anywhere from 18 months to three years abroad.

Length of non-religious mission trips

Mission trips for non-religious groups offer you a different selection when it comes to location, activities and tasks, and length of stay. You can come individually or with a group of your friends or family . And you can travel for as short or as long as you’d like. Projects are often flexible with how long you stay. 

For instance, through GoEco , a popular provider of medical mission trips, you can stay for as short as two or for as long as 12 weeks (and sometimes longer). Each mission trip organization differs, so check in advance.  

What should I expect on a mission trip?

As long as you prepare, you’ll have a smooth experience. Ready yourself mentally, spiritually, and physically for: 

• Being outside your comfort zone : Mission trips may take you to off the beaten path destinations . Come with open eyes and an open mind —and welcome new experiences. It will broaden your perspective and even broaden your palate! As the Virginia Theological Seminary states in their blog, “expect to be challenged. Expect to be changed .”
• Staying flexible : This is an adventure! Not everything will go as planned. Come ready to adapt to unexpected circumstances. 
• Acclimating to the host culture : Study the local language , customs, and traditions. Remain humble and ready to learn.
• Time for reflection and sharing : Document your experiences and thoughts. Group reflections and discussions give you the chance to share challenges, observations, experiences, and more. 
• Faith-based activities ( for religious mission trips ): Religious mission trips center on faith, so you’ll attend group discussions, community prayers, and church services (which you won’t with non-religious mission trips). 
• Note: Some religious mission trip programs focus solely on providing aid, and don’t engage in religious conversion activities. 

Again, while you may perform similar activities on religious and non-religious mission trips, especially if you volunteer in childcare , education, or construction , where the two types of mission trips mainly differ is the religious aspect of the work. Religious mission trips call you to not only dive deeper into your faith, but also to carry out your ministry’s mission and invite others to your faith. Secular mission trips don’t have this element. 

Additionally, know most mission trips require that you sign a mission trip covenant (religious) or agreement (non-religious). This sets clear expectations for your behavior, attitude, and responsibilities. The community covenant or agreement is very important, so keep a copy with you after reading and signing it. 

Since every mission trip has different expectations and structures, take the initiative to ask questions before going. This enables you to prepare yourself properly and puts yourself in position to have a successful and life-changing mission trip.

How much does it cost to go on a mission trip?

It depends. 

The total cost of a mission trip is similar to a volunteer abroad trip, which we estimate to range between $980 – $3200+ for an affordable short-term trip . As you can see, prices can vary dramatically. 

When calculating the cost of a mission trip, consider the following:

• Location : Some destinations cost more than others. Proximity also plays a role. If you live in the United States, airfare and accommodations to Central America will cost less than flying to Asia . 
• Length of stay : Accommodation, food, and other essentials add up over time. Many mission trips include meals and lodging with the initial costs, so you won’t have to worry about those expenses once there.  
• Program : Who’s facilitating your mission trip? They may have program fees, but will handle a lot of the details and prep work for you. 
• Financing options : Does the mission society fund part or all of the trip? If so, you may not pay much at all. Are there fundraising activities before going? That could lower your expenses. Many churches and mission societies utilize donations to fund mission trips, so that could make your adventure more affordable. 

Making the most of your mission trip abroad

A mission trip can make a lasting impact on your life and the lives of others. Many mission trips focus on spreading religion, but do go beyond that. Mission trips are also about helping communities that need it most. The core of your mission is to serve fellow human beings and make a tangible difference in people’s lives. 

Remember: The more you give, the more you’ll get . If you give of your time to volunteer, serve others, and make a difference, you’ll feel satisfaction beyond words. So, start exploring and find your perfect mission trip today!

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FAMILY MISSION TRIPS

A family vacation can be a great way to grow closer to your children. However, there are more extraordinary ways to spread the good news of the kingdom of God than from a theme park.

A family mission trip is a vacation with a purpose. By spreading His word in unfamiliar territory, kids have the ability to connect to different cultures and people. Exposing your family to new experiences at a young age can help shape their compassion and bring awareness of God’s reach.

The educational benefits to the children who go on mission trips are endless . By meeting new people, kids learn new cultures, languages, and traditions – experiences they are not exposed to at home. Watching their parents and other members of the church serve others and spread His Glory sets a great example to young people for the compassion and empathy all parents hope to see in their children.

Families as a unit benefit from family mission trips , as well. Without distracting devices, families spend more time engaging with each other during the journey, opening the door to more faith-based conversations. The exposure to another life is a great opportunity for your family to build their faith together. A mission trip is one family vacation that your family will cherish forever.

With a Mission Discovery trip, all your planning is taken care of. Food, lodging, transportation, and daily itinerary are taken care of, taking a load off your back. At Mission Discovery, we have curated short-term mission trips specifically for families to participate in. These trips include daily work assignments suitable for younger ages, such as hosting a Vacation Bible School, visiting a children’s home, painting, and more.

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God is moving all over the world, and He invites you to be a part of something extraordinary.  Discover how to live out your unique design as you grow in your faith, experience community on mission, and make an eternal impact by helping people know Jesus on a summer mission! 

This summer, thousands of students will go around the world with Cru.  Learn more about how your passions align with a one- to 12-week summer mission.  Come be part of something extraordinary!

Learn more about Cru summer missions, FAQ’s and more.

Not sure where to go? We can help you!

Applications open november 1, 2023.

As a parent, you love your children and want them to be safe and well cared for as they grow into adulthood. Click below for more information on Cru’s safety measures, and how we care for students’ personal and spiritual well being on summer missions.

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THE BEST FARES & THE RIGHT ADVICE

Discount airfare for mission trips & humanitarian travel.

Ministry Travel delivers the lowest possible airfare for your mission trip through our significant mission and humanitarian travel discounts with major carriers. You have peace of mind because, throughout your journey, passionate and dependable people are behind the travel plans of your group.

How Ministry Travel Makes Your Mission Trip a Success

Our process.

• Complete the Mission Trip Details on our website telling us about your mission trip
• We shop the airlines using our special ministry air contracts and provide you with a guaranteed low-price proposal
• You’ll receive a link to schedule a call at your convenience so we can discuss the proposal, answer any questions, and advise you on everything from visas to vaccinations. At this time, we’ll make any necessary revisions and then finalize the proposal.
• Once you’re ready, approve the proposal and make your deposit – that’s it, your mission group airfare is reserved.

As Your Trip Approaches

We’ll make arrangements for final payments and provide your group with the required documents and flight information.

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Missions Trips 101

Christian mission trip tips and tricks essential information for adventures in missions trips including the world race.

Top Reasons to go on a mission trip

Do you ever feel like something’s missing? That feeling that there’s got to be more than just this.

You want to make a difference in the world. You want to be part of something bigger than yourself.

The world is a big place, full of overwhelming heartache, hunger, poverty, sickness, and pain. It’s easy to be weighed down by the enormity of it all and assume you can’t make a meaningful change. All too often, people look at the problems of the world and say: “Someone should do something about this”.

You have the opportunity to respectfully step into someone’s pain and make a meaningful difference. To build sustainability where there was only hopelessness. But you need to take the first step, you need to get out of your comfort zone!

Will you take the plunge?

The danger of Missions Trips

*Hint, they aren’t easy and they change you forever

A mission trip will turn your world upside down in the best way. Discover your unique role in bringing God’s kingdom to the needy. Let Jesus fill the need in your own heart as he uses you to make a difference in the lives, communities, and hearts of those who need it most.

The best way to experience missions is to live responsively. At Adventures In Missions, we ask, prayerfully listen, and respond through obedience. When we ask God for guidance, listening for his response it often changes us. When we obey him to the best of our ability, we begin to truly live!

You can take a small step. Take a few days or a few weeks of your life to be Jesus to someone in desperate need of hope. God can use you to make a difference. It’s not enough to learn about God and live life in a cozy Christian bubble. The church needs to leave the building!

Jesus did not call us to say a prayer but to enter into a lifestyle. We know that a life with Jesus is a life full of hope, and we are committed to bringing that hope to the people who need it most. Seth Barnes

Kindle a Relationship with God. Build fellowship with others.

The mission field offers many unique experiences that will challenge our definitions of normal. We embrace the concept of ‘doing something different’ in order to let God have his way in our lives and ministries. James 1:2-4

We believe that God is living, active, and has something to say to us. Listening and responding to the voice of God are the goals that drive us. John 10:27

We choose our ministry partners based on shared values, and work alongside them to creatively meet felt needs. Philemon 1:6

We empower and equip for kingdom work, believing that communities and relationships will be transformed by the love of Christ. Matthew 28:18-20

We are passionate about sharing Jesus’ story with those we encounter. We help build the kingdom by explaining how God has transformed our own lives, and by confirming our words through our actions.

What to Expect on a Mission Trip

*Hint, they aren’t ordinary or fake

• Break the Mold Don’t be afraid to get dirty or reach out to touch the marginalized and forgotten We believe your mission experience will be something out of the ordinary. We have a deep, desperate love for the people of the world. Whether they are in our back yard or halfway around the world, we see the beauty of God’s creation in our diversity. We must leave comfort behind to see the world as it truly is, and to bring Jesus in. By shaking up the status quo, by doing something different, we offer every youth a chance to spend real time with a real person with a real story. We are not afraid to get dirty or to reach out and touch the marginalized and forgotten. Whether you are ministering in rural Appalachia or near the beaches of Florida, our hope is that your experience will push your teens, your leaders, and you out of your comfort zones and into relationships with people and ministries in ways you may least expect.

Adventures in Missions has been forming relationships with ministry partners around the world for over 23 years. You may be partnering with a ministry host that has been on board with us since then or pioneering alongside us with a more recent ministry partner. Whatever the circumstance, Adventures staff has been communicating with your host on a consistent basis, and have recently been on the ground to survey the most current and pressing needs of the community you will be serving.

Depending on your location, your day-to-day life of ministry can look different. But it will always reflect ways to show the love of Christ. We believe in listening to the voice of God to hear how he would like us to serve and love his creations. This may look like:

• Showing consistent love to children who need to know they matter.
• Facilitating a vacation bible school.
• Playing sports and doing outreach with locals.
• Visiting door-to-door to pray and share Christ’s love and heart for others. Share the gospel -the good news that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.
• Going on a prayer walk.
• Cleaning facilities for churches, organizations, and locals in need.
• Serving and/or distributing food to the hungry.
• Working on relief from a natural disaster.
• Loving an orphan or widow.

“The staff at Adventures work year-round to build and maintain healthy relationships with our partners on the field. Teams like yours are a huge blessing to the needs they have, and it is our goal to make sure you feel your time and efforts are maximized while serving.” -Brandon Babb, Missionary in Eswatini, Africa. 2021

Adventures staff or a local ministry host will provide a cultural briefing upon your arrival, including specific details pertaining to your location.

We also have a desire for you to have a real experience of the location you visit, not just a tourist-level view. Our trips focus on going to the heart of the location, to where Jesus is most needed. Sometimes that looks like painting a building, other times that looks like praying at someone’s house. We let our local leaders determine what best fits into the grander vision of each location’s broad vision of ministry. 

It’s not all work and no play. When appropriate, we often have a special outing planned relative to your location. This is a time for you to continue to bond and enjoy time with your team, and experience the culture around you.

Premium Missionary Accommodations: Churches, Homes, Tents, Floors, and Hotels

*Hint, every trip looks different, but we do our best to keep everyone safe.

• Food: WHERE DO WE EAT? Your teens may lend a hand in the kitchen, or you could stay with a lodging partner who will handle all cooking and meal preparation. Meeting your needs is a priority of Adventures, however we ask that you prepare yourself, leaders, and participants to have a ‘mission mindset’ when it comes to details like food and housing arrangements. All meals and accommodations will be sufficient, but not lavish.
• Rest: WHERE DO WE SLEEP? You should have received information regarding the specifics of your housing location. You may have bunk beds, or you may be roughin’ it on the floor for a few days. A light sleeping bag and sleeping mat are a good idea for comfort. You may be on a project with only your team, or another group of missionaries. We ask that you not pack full-size, blow-up mattresses so everyone can enjoy enough space to relax and sleep.

Yes. Keeping the ‘mission mindset’, this could look like a variety of options. You will most likely stay at a facility with a small number of showers. It is a good idea to start preparing your students for five-minute showers. Have fun with this. Get creative. Make it a game at youth group in preparation for going into the field. For example, select a student to demonstrate a quick shower process. With shower supplies provided (shampoo and conditioner bottle, soap, towel) set a timer for five minutes. Have the student demonstrate to the group how long five minutes can actually be,  MIMING , of course, the process of showering from start to finish.

S erving in missions means getting uncomfortable and giving up many things we often believe we’re entitled to at home. One of those things is the way we dress. While Adventures does not have strict dress codes or uniforms, we do ask that you and your team respect the environment and culture you are serving as well as the work you came to do.

Best Mission Clothes

• Knee-length skirt/shorts
• Loose-fitting t-shirts
• Comfortable shoes/Toms

Ladies, What not to wear These on Mission

• Short shorts
• Flimsy flip-flops
• Excessive accessories

Gentlemen, What not to wear on mission

• Shirts with sides cut out
• Nice shoes or sneakers
• Red or blue bandanas

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Lifeway Research

Enlightening today’s church with relevant research and insights

Making the Most of Your Summer Mission Experience

Insights | Discipleship & Evangelism | Jun 5, 2024

Summer mission trips have become one of the primary platforms God uses to call out and prepare people for longer-term missionary careers.

By D. Scott Hildreth

Summer is finally here. The weather is heating up. The school year is coming to an end. Our church ministry schedules take on a new pace and emphasis. Short-term mission trips are one summer ministry that are becoming more of a standard in many churches.

Even though these trips have become more mainstream, it’s important to remember they are relatively new in missionary history. When we first went to the mission field in the late 1990s, most people we were with hadn’t been overseas before.

Today, finding a missionary candidate with no overseas travel experience would be like discovering a unicorn. Short-term missions has become one of the primary platforms God uses to call out and prepare men and women for longer-term missionary careers.

But we also know short-term mission trips aren’t always positive experiences . They can be a drain on long-term missionaries. They can promote dependency and an unhealthy relationship between U.S. and national partners. These trips are often extremely (read: excessively) expensive. And they may fail to move the needle of missionary advance in any measurable way according to the longer-term missionary strategy.

Not only do poorly planned and executed mission trips have negative consequences for the mission field, but they can also have a negative impact on the mission trip participants.

Summer mission trips can reinforce bad missiology

God uses mission trips as a testing ground for His missionary call. Often, participants sense God has a plan for their lives, and the mission experience fills in the imagination, allowing them to “see” themselves as missionaries.

However, a poorly executed mission trip can reinforce unhealthy ideas of missionary practice. Participants may not appreciate the need for national partnership, or they may not understand that the missionary life is usually a series of smaller decisions, not massive events.

Summer mission trips can create bad habits and feed the worst of our own culture

Who hasn’t cringed at the notion of mission trips as social media fodder or Christian tourism? We know these attitudes are problematic. However, poorly executed mission trips may feed some more subtle aspects of our culture.

In our materialistic and consumeristic culture, we evaluate events and people through the lens of efficiency and bottom-line numbers. If we’re not careful, these same attitudes show up on our mission trips. The traveler (me and you) become the consumer, and national believers (or unbelievers) are products whose ‘value’ is measured by how well they meet our wants.

We treat others as if they’re the pawns on the chessboards of our lives, moving them where we want according to our preferred plan and quickly dispensing of them when the game is over.

Summer mission trips can harm spiritual formation

For some, a mission trip seems like the ultimate Christian life accomplishment. We can hear this when people tell their faith stories and include the countries they’ve visited or trips they’ve taken. It’s as if simple Bible study, daily prayer, and church are for junior varsity believers but serious Christians go on mission trips. If this is our thinking, these trips will feed spiritual pride and harm our long-term walks with the Lord.

So, none of us wants to participate in or lead a mission trip that’s counterproductive, or worse, detrimental to the work of God. The question we want to answer is: “How can we make the most of our mission experiences?” Is there anything you can do over the weeks and months leading up to your trip to combat these concerns? There are at least three things you can do moving forward.

1. Remember and remind your fellow travelers this mission trip is a partnership, not “your trip”

As we prepare for a mission trip, it’s tempting to take ownership of the experience and the event. We want our people to have a good time, and we want it to be a positive experience. We also use marketing language to recruit for the trip. However, at this point, we need to begin reminding ourselves, and others, that we’re serving the long-term missionaries and national partners. We need to submit our goals to theirs and evaluate success according to their metrics. It’s not about us.

2. Remember it’s a process

God’s mission cannot be fulfilled in a single mission trip. Even the most well-planned and successful trip serves as but a drop in the bucket for global discipleship. If we can keep this in mind, it will help us remember our goal. This attitude should keep us focused on more solid missionary practice. To use a baseball analogy, our trip should be a string of singles, not a home run. We may never see the runner score, but we play an important role in the process. You can begin reinforcing this theme along the way as you prepare your team for the trip. Frame success as part of a process, not a glorious walk-off home run.

3. Remember success takes planning

We know success won’t ‘just happen.’ Left to our natural tendencies, we, like water, all seek the path of least resistance, and this path leads downhill. As a leader, take time now to plan for missionary success.

• Before the trip, meet with your team and set expectations. Don’t use pre-trip meetings for logistics only. Take time to shape the expectations, thinking, and missionary mindset of your travelers.

• During the trip , help the team process. Take time each day (or every other day) to process the events of the trip. Take the lead in helping your team interpret the experiences (the successes and challenges) through the matrix of good missiology and partnership.

• After you return, debrief the trip and help your team understand what God accomplished and the role they played in the longer-term vision and strategy.

• Have a plan for continual spiritual growth for your team . Back to our baseball analogy, the mission trip is not home plate for disciple making.

According to Ephesians 4:12-13, your job is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness” (CSB). This mission trip is but one step in this process. Don’t let your people substitute a life well lived for Christ for a fleeting mission trip experience.

For permission to republish this article, contact  Marissa Postell Sullivan .

D. Scott Hildreth

@dshildreth

Scott serves as Associate Professor of Missiology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Together on God’s Mission and the co-author of Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out. Both books are published by B&H Academic. 

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Looking to offer your youth group an unforgettable mission trip experience? Look no further! Adventures in Missions is excited to present you with an exclusive offer. Sign up your group with us today and receive a FREE mission trip, with savings of up to $800! But that’s not all – each participant will also receive a high-quality water bottle for their mission trip. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Act fast to secure this great offer for your youth group. Contact us now to learn more and reserve your spot. Experience the joy of serving others and making a lasting impact. Join Adventures in Missions and embark on a transformative mission trip with your youth group. Limited availability for Summer 2024 trips only – don’t delay, secure your spot today!

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Learn to embrace minimalism in possessions and maximalism in lifestyle. Don’t worry. On month 9 when you’ve served on mountains, boated your daily commute, and eaten insects for snacks you won’t miss your flatscreen.

You’ll also learn more about yourself because you’ll learn to lay yourself down. Your team will become the closest tight-knit, super-secret-handshake family of your life. You might just shed those pesky pounds that have been nagging you since graduation.

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Adventures in Missions is about more than short-term trips, though we do love them. All of our trips globally plugin to great long-term programs. These programs  create the perfect environment for short trips to actually make an impact. Our sponsorship programs are also keeping the end-goal in mind, they  are about so much more than providing food and letters to children.

$45 per month meets immediate tangible needs by providing nutritious food and clean water. It also sustains long-term transformation by providing discipleship and opportunities to engage in programming to strengthen families as a whole that will ripple into the community for generations to come! 

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6 Beaches for Budding Swimmers, Surfers and Castle Builders

For families with children, we found half a dozen beaches in the United States and Mexico, each tailored to a particular summer activity.

By Freda Moon

A family beach vacation is an American classic. But depending on their children’s ages and inclinations, some families may be drawn to different kinds of shorelines: those featuring clear, calm water for snorkeling and learning to swim; or, for shell collectors and young naturalists, sandy stretches carpeted with seashells or bordered by tide pools. For castle builders, fine sand is a must, while would-be surfers need tidy waves, ready to ride. Here are six great beaches in the United States and Baja California for family-favorite summer activities.

For castle builders: Mission Beach , San Diego

San Diego’s temperate climate allows for barefoot beach days year-round. For those who’d rather build with sand than lie in it, Mission Beach has another advantage: San Diego Sand Castles and the sand sculptor JT Estrela. Mr. Estrela, a former math teacher, offers lessons in the art of sand castle construction on this family-friendly Southern California beach, where the sand is perfect for castle building: The grains are fine but not too silty, clean below the tide line, free of shells and rocks, and pack hard.

In his two-to-three-hour sessions (starting at $160 for two people, $20 for each additional person), Mr. Estrela works with families to build elaborate five-foot-tall castles. The goal is for participants to “feel like this insider of arcane knowledge,” he said.

While the best sand in the San Diego area is at the offshore city of Coronado in San Diego Bay, Mr. Estrela prefers working with families at Mission Beach. Known for its boardwalk amusement park, Belmont Park ; historic beachfront swimming pool, the Plunge ; and excellent playgrounds, it’s particularly fun for kids. The smell of cotton candy and hot dogs hangs in the air, mingling with shrieks from the Giant Dipper, Belmont’s 1925 wooden roller coaster, squawking sea gulls and salt spray. Its biggest downside is its popularity, which means parking can be a challenge.

For new swimmers: Onekahakaha Beach Park , Hilo, Hawaii

In an archipelago known for spectacular beaches, Onekahakaha Beach Park , on the rugged, volcanic coast of the Big Island, may seem a counterintuitive choice. At Onekahakaha, with its two large, sandy-bottomed ocean pools enclosed by lava rock walls and backed by palm trees and an expansive grassy lawn, the sand is mostly below the surface.

Separated from the Pacific Ocean’s notoriously powerful waves and rip currents, the seawater within the pools is warm and placid, protected and shallow, which makes it excellent for little kids learning to swim, as well as for older kids to snorkel. It’s also home to nonthreatening marine life (no sharks here), including green sea turtles.

Though the water is only about waist-deep on an adult, there are lifeguards, adding to Onekahakaha’s reputation for safety. And without a wide swath of sand between the pools and the shoreline path, the water is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. There’s also a swing set, picnic tables and proximity to the lush Hilo area.

As long as you’re on the Big Island, the site of several active volcanoes, visit the thermal pools alongside some of its beaches, including Pohoiki Black Sand Beach at Isaac Hale Beach Park , 40 miles south of Onekahakaha. The ocean there may be a bit rough for young swimmers, but it’s a great place to show children a fresh lava flow.

For would-be surfers: Wrightsville Beach , N.C.

Wrightsville Beach is considered by many surf historians to be the home of East Coast surfing and one of the first places outside Polynesia and the Pacific Rim for the sport to catch on .

It also has some of the best beginner’s breaks in the United States , said Sean Griffin, 37, a surfing instructor and the father of a 5-year-old, who started riding the local break when he was 8.

He points out that Wrightsville is the only surfing beach in the state that has clear, blue water. Being able to see one’s hands and feet and the sandy bottom “makes anyone feel more comfortable in the ocean,” he said.

At Surf With Sean , Mr. Griffin offers private 90-minute lessons ($95 to $120) to surfers as young as 3 and into their 80s, as well as surf camps for kids ($425 per week). “There’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to learn or give it a shot,” said Mr. Griffin, who provides all gear in all sizes, including adaptive equipment.

There’s more to the area’s kid appeal than its waves. Mr. Griffin points to Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier , at the center of the beach, where his son “loves seeing all the salty fisherman pulling in fish,” and the big, modern playground at Wrightsville Beach Park .

For tide pool explorers: Carkeek Park , Seattle

Naomi Tomky — a lifelong Seattleite, author of “ The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook ” and mother of two daughters, 6 and 8 — recommends Carkeek Park in Seattle for an immersive experience in Puget Sound marine life. At low tide, Ms. Tomky said, the narrow beach “just goes out for ages,” exposing tide pools filled with starfish, sea snails, anemones and “many, many crabs, from the size of your fingernail to the size of your hand.”

Unlike tide-pooling elsewhere on the West Coast, where the powerful Pacific Ocean requires caution because of dangerous sneaker waves , Puget Sound is rich with life but calm enough for Ms. Tomky to let her daughters explore on their own.

Just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, Carkeek is part of the Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalist Program , which sends naturalists to various shorelines around the area.

Along with the below-the-tide-line intrigue, Carkeek is also known for an annual spectacle: spawning salmon. In the fall, it’s possible to stand over the park’s Piper’s Creek and watch the fish — a sacred Indigenous symbol of the Pacific Northwest — on the run.

“It’s one of the coolest things you can see,” said Ms. Tomky, “to understand how these fish share the city with us as they swim back into their former home.”

For shell hunters: Tigertail Beach , Marco Island, Fla.

Sanibel Island, a barrier island just off Fort Myers, Fla., is one of the most famous shelling destinations on the planet. That popularity comes with a downside: It’s often picked over by enthusiasts who hit the shoreline at dawn. The island is also still recovering from Hurricane Ian, which badly damaged its infrastructure in 2022.

As an alternative, the shelling guide Evan Kuperman (a.k.a. Captain Evan) recommends Tigertail Beach on Marco Island, about an hour south.

Mr. Kuperman, a Florida master naturalist , operates Sand Dollar Shelling Tours . His tours ($125 per adult, $90 per child, and families of up to six people for $650) take guests by boat to places like the Ten Thousand Islands , a mangrove mud flat habitat and National Wildlife Refuge.

For visitors unable to join one of his trips, Mr. Kuperman said that Tigertail, a publicly accessible beach ($8 parking fee), offers exceptional shelling.

Marco Island is more built up than Sanibel, but Tigertail, at the island’s north end, is a county-owned park with a lagoon and a position facing the Gulf of Mexico that lends itself to accumulating seashells, including rare and striking ones, like the spiny ornamented lace murex and reddish brown banded tulip .

But everyone is hoping for a junonia, or Juno’s volute, a sea snail that has to travel far in churning waters to reach the beach intact. “You don’t find it,” said Mr. Kuperman, “it finds you.”

For young snorkelers: Playa el Chileno , Los Cabos, Mexico

About halfway between bustling Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Playa el Chileno is no longer an undeveloped local secret. Now backed by the sprawling Auberge resort Chileno Bay Resort & Residences , the beach remains public and comparatively tranquil. Awarded the Blue Flag certification for meeting stringent environmental standards, Chileno is exceptionally well maintained.

While catamaran snorkeling tours come and go from Chileno Bay, it’s also possible to reach the reef from the shore, which makes it good for inexperienced snorkelers who might find it intimidating to leap into deep water without easing their way in. High Tide Sea Expeditions offers snorkeling excursions via kayak that start at nearby Playa Santa Maria, hug the coast and arrive at Chileno by water. For younger kids and anyone who prefers more time in the water, there’s a guided two-hour tour that visits both beaches by car ($95 to $130 per person, including equipment).

Among the roughly 50 species of fish that snorkelers might encounter along Chileno’s rocky outcroppings and coral reef, there are large tuna, sea turtles, puffer fish, Panamic green moray eels, Cortez angelfish and blacknosed butterflyfish — among many other colorful creatures. The coral here is less vibrant than some places, but the number and variety of fish are thrilling.

Freda Moon, a frequent contributor to the Travel section, lives on a boat in San Francisco Bay with her husband and two kids. Her upcoming National Geographic book with the coauthor Ashley Harrell, “100 Beaches of a Lifetime,” will be published next year.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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Let 2023's best TV shows and movies inspire your next trip

Dec 26, 2023 • 5 min read

"The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy" had us dreaming of Japan this year © Apple TV

Whether you plan on spending the last few days of the year relaxing in front of the screen for some well-deserved rest, or plotting out your next travel adventure for 2024, there’s nothing like some armchair traveling to get you inspired. 

From the dunes of the world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass, to the jungles of Costa Rica and ancient ruins of Sicily , here’s a look back at some of the best TV and film releases of 2023 that sparked our travel imagination.

The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy

Costa Rica, Maldives, Finland, South Africa

The premise seems counterproductive at first: hiring an actor who openly acknowledges that he shuns adventure and doesn’t like to step beyond his comfort zone, to host a travel show. Except, of course, when that host is Eugene Levy, the co-creator of the Emmy-Award winning Schitt’s Creek .

Over eight episodes, we watch the crotchety but endearing host (a bit we’re already familiar with through the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay) ice float in Finland , preside over a sumo match in Tokyo , and tackle his lifelong fear of heights on a suspension bridge over the Costa Rican jungle and in a helicopter ride above the canyons of Utah . Other destinations include Venice, the Maldives , Lisbon , and South Africa . Expect Levy’s trademark deadpan humor, some seriously extravagant hotel stays and breakout moments of Levy’s warmth and authenticity when connecting with locals. Season Two is currently in the works.

Watch on AppleTV+.

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1

Abu Dhabi, Italy, Norway

Director Christopher McQuarrie said of the latest installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, that the goal was to make a “ bigger film, more global film ”. Consequently, some of the biggest action sequences take place in settings like the sand dunes and salt flats of the Empty Quarter in Abu Dhabi  (the world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass), the streets of Rome and the canals of Venice .

A dramatic train sequence also gives center stage to the Rauma Railway in Norway , which travels along the Kylling Bridge and is often described as the most beautiful train ride in Norway . But it’s the Helsetkopen Mountain in Norway that gets the big spotlight, when Tom Cruise famously accomplished what the movie studio described as the “ biggest stunt in cinema history ” by jumping off the cliff on a motorcycle, and turning it into a base jump. Not once, but six times. Verdict? Mission accomplished (you saw that coming).

Watch on Amazon Prime, YouTube Movies and TV, AppleTV and Google Play.

Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss

Iceland, Bulgaria, Thailand, Ghana, LA

You could say that this series brings those yearly “world’s happiest places” rankings to life. Hosted by Rainn Wilson, best known for his role as Dwight Shrute from The Office , the five-part docuseries takes the actor – who speaks candidly about his battles with depression and anxiety – to places that cover both spectrums of the happiness index in order to try and decode what makes some people and places happier than others.

The soul-searching journey takes him to Iceland which, along with other Nordic countries, consistently tops the “world’s happiest places” lists, where he swims naked in a hot spring and downs a bottle of cod liver oil. But he also visits Bulgaria which ranks low on happiness indices, where he tries to find insight into Bulgarian sadness, and his own. The series is based on the book The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World by former NPR correspondent Eric Weiner.

Watch on Peacock.

Our Planet II

New Zealand, China, India, Haida Gwaii, Botswana, the Arctic

Remember those viral, heart-pinching drone images capturing a family of elephants sleeping in an exhausted stupor on the ground in China ? In the Netflix series Our Planet II , we follow the herd as they make an epic 17-month, 300-mile journey across China in search of a new home, just one of the many incredible animal migration tales explored in the wildlife documentary narrated by the world’s favorite British broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough.

Over four episodes, viewers are privy to some of the most extraordinary animal migrations on earth, including the crossing of a million wildebeest and zebra over the Serengeti , and Cape buffalo in Botswana . Chapter three also tells the compelling story of the wild elephants who captured the world’s attention in 2020 when they were driven out of their forest due to drought and wandered unwittingly into Chinese cities and towns. And as all good wildlife documentaries do, viewers are left understanding the ever-pressing need to preserve and protect the planet’s wildlife and the importance of sharing resources.

Watch on Netflix.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Morocco, Sicily, Scotland

In the final installment of the Indiana Jones series (with Harrison Ford as the titular character), the storyline sends the swashbuckling archaeologist hero, in true Indie fashion, to scenic and mysterious corners of the world. Real-world location shootings this time include  Morocco , scene of a wild street chase that involved a dozen tuk-tuks (like motorized rickshaws), cars and motorcycles kicking up dust in the streets of Fez , and the Leaderfoot Viaduct in the Scottish Borders, where the prologue was filmed.

Sicily also played a big role in the film. The island’s ancient ruins starred as archaeological temple sites, and its limestone cave,  Ear of Dionysius , shaped like a human ear, played the part of Archimedes' Tomb.

Watch on Disney+, YouTube Movies and TV, AppleTV and Amazon Prime.

This article was first published Jun 15, 2019 and updated Dec 26, 2023.

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