Experience Missions

Go on a missions trip if it is feasible. Is your church sponsoring a missions trip? Pray about signing up!

Your first trip does not have to be overseas. You could partner with an inner city or appalachian ministry here in the US and work with them on a short term basis. Opportunities about for cross-cultural ministry in the US. The mission field may be closer than you think.

Below is a sampling of opportunities for both urban and rural short-term ministry in the US.

Your missions trip may take you overseas with a group of people you have not yet met. Organizations like Teen Missions and Adventures in Missions allow you to sign up as an individual. You are then placed on a team that travels to and ministers in a foreign country. These are great opportunities to explore whether God is truly calling you to be a missionary.

Some missions organizations have programs where you stay with a missionary for 6 months to 2 years to help them and learn what they do. If you know a missionary personally, you may be able to arrange a ministry trip independently.

You may also take the opportunity to experience multiple cultures through programs like Adventures in Missions' World Race. You travel with a team to minister in various countries on at least 3 continents over the course of 9 months to a year.

While you are experiencing missions work firsthand, be prepared to work hard. Be ready for the unexpected. You will experience culture shock. You will be challenged in unexpected ways. You may get sick. Communication will be tough. You may or may not truly impact the people to whom you minister. But I guarantee you that the awesome, unforgettable experience of participating in cross-cultural ministry will change you. God will use the experience to grow and change you in ways you cannot yet imagine.