There’s no such thing as a stereotypical mission trip. Although they all share a goal — to serve others — the sheer number of locations, organizations, and people to help means that there’s always a different trip to experience and a different way to help people while sharing the gospel. The ideas on this list cover a variety of mission trips. Some are suggestions for specific trips, while others are for groups that can connect you with those in need; some are for high schoolers and youth groups, while others are longer-term internships for college students. But they’re all fantastic resources for people looking to give back to the world around them. Contact each organization for more info.
1. North American Mission Board
The North American Missions Board is part of the Southern Baptist Convention, and their Student Mission Groups are dedicated to serving in a variety of areas, from performing construction and beautification projects in low-income neighborhoods to sending teams of students to aid in response to natural disasters like floods and fires.
2. War Week
Detroit is one of the most affected cities in the country in terms of urban decay and poverty, and War Week is designed to teach students about the community around them while also instructing them in door-to-door evangelism. Students visit and rebuild empty playgrounds and deserted lots, and the week is designed to help them spread their faith through the positive example of public service. War Week also features several speakers from churches nationwide.
3. Teen Missions International
Using the tagline “Mission trips for youth of all ages,” Teen Missions International is an interdenominational organization that’s sent more than 42,000 teens into the world on service projects since its inception in 1971. They operate an array of camps and mission trips divided by age group, and there’s also a trip for adults, though older teens and adults should be prepared for rugged conditions, including sleeping in tents and going without electricity.
4. Central Dallas Ministries
Headed by CEO and president Larry James, Central Dallas Ministries is a boots-on-the-ground group with more than 20 years’ experiences serving the poor and homeless. With an emphasis on community compassion, CDM is a great place for youth groups nationwide to spend time learning to give back and become servants. James also maintains a blog where he writes about spirituality, politics, and social justice.
5. Believers World Outreach
Believers World Outreach focuses on mission trips for both individuals and youth groups, with an emphasis on poor and developing regions like Uganda, Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, and other spots around the world. These short-term missions are designed to help communities heal themselves by providing them with new buildings and medical care. BWO also is working to aid the citizens of Haiti in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake.
6. Alongside Ministries International
Alongside Ministries primarily focuses on Europe for its mission trips, working in Albania, Estonia, France, Germany, and Scotland. Their emphasis is on evangelism and church planting in regions that don’t have many Christian churches or meeting places.
7. United Planet
United Planet works with mission trip groups for “short-term quests” that range from one to 12 weeks in duration. The organization is a secular one, so preaching and proselytizing aren’t allowed, but the service opportunities are still fantastic opportunities for church youth groups to learn about service in different parts of the world. The lessons learned can be applied back home with a religious angle.
8. Adventures in Missions: Real Life
Adventures in Missions offers a wide array of trips for youth groups that last up to two weeks, but their Real Life program goes much deeper, sending college-age students into the field for up to three months. Participants in Real Life do everything from plant churches to teaching English and working with victims of social injustices like sex trafficking, with destinations including the Philippines, Bolivia, and the Amazon jungles of Peru.
9. Awana
Awana’s internship program is designed for college-age students to spend a summer working with missionaries in Awana-registered churches. They’re designed to teach students about what it takes to run a church and serve a community, and locations are as diverse and far-flung as Hungary and South Korea.
10. Ambassadors in Missions
Ambassadors in Missions sends students to more than 250 countries to help those in need, and they also coordinate events here in the U.S., like a fall 2010 event in Detroit that will allow students to organize community outreach programs and participate in grocery distribution and service projects.
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.
