10 Tips for Your Mission Trip

Here are our top 10 tips to help you prepare for your mission trip!

1. Pray

Pray for God to open your heart for what He will do on your trip. Ask friends and family to pray for you and your team. Pray for the people you are about to meet and that God would prepare their hearts to hear the gospel. Commit the work you are about to do to Him; it is for His glory alone, not our own!

2. Pack Effectively

Check the season and weather conditions of where you are traveling so you will be prepared to pack the right clothing. Consider packing a light jacket in case mornings or evenings are chilly. Start packing a week or so before your trip so you have plenty of time to secure any last-minute items. To save space in your suitcase, wear your bulky clothes (and shoes) to the airport and roll your clothes.

3. Study God's Word

Study the Bible before, during, and after your trip. There are many people in the Bible who dedicated their lives to spreading the gospel. Consider reading about Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts or the way that Jesus interacts with people (“full of grace and truth,” John 1:14). Plant yourself in the Word, so you have a strong foundation when it’s time for you to share it with others.

4. Prepare to Share the Gospel

As you study God’s Word, make sure you understand the basic truths of the gospel so you can articulate those truths to others. Find clear ways to tell people about Christ, including specific Bible verses, and practice sharing the good news with people at home before you go. How has the gospel changed you? What would be your story apart from the good news of the gospel? Consider learning different gospel-sharing techniques such as the Romans Road, Three Circles, Threads, or others.

5. Maintain Reasonable Expectations

Your job is to faithfully plant and water seeds of faith, but ultimately it is God who gives the growth (1 Cor. 3:6). Therefore, don’t become discouraged if you don’t see immediate results from your labor. Trust that God is responsible for bringing fruit, and His plans are far better than yours could ever be. Be grateful that God allowed you to be part of what He is doing, even when you don’t see the results you had hoped for. Your job is not to be a hero, but to be faithful. Setting reasonable expectations can help prevent discouragement among your team members.

6. Research Where You will be Traveling

Research the culture of where you are traveling so you are well prepared to talk to people and build relationships with them. Prepare your mind to try new foods and stay in a place that may not be as comfortable as home. Culture shock might happen, and it’s best to prepare for this prior to your trip.

7. Learn About the Ministry You will Participate in

Be prepared for the specifics of whatever kind of ministry you’ll be involved in. If you need to be prepared to teach Bible lessons or lead games and crafts, begin your preparation well before you leave for your trip. Good preparation will help make it an easier transition into a new ministry context.

8. Be Flexible

Not everything will go according to plan. Be prepared for things to change along the way, especially if you're in a culture that doesn't prioritize timeliness like we do! Keep a positive attitude as changes come up. Model a Christlike humility and patience both to your team members as well as locals. The way you respond to trials and changes might be part of your witness to others!

9. Bring a Journal and a Pen

Journaling can help you remember all that God does while you are on your mission trip. It can also be a way for you to pray to God during your trip. Recording all the special and difficult moments from your trip will be something you might want to look back on one day. Journaling provides a space for you to savor all that God does while you are on your trip.

10. Share Your Story During and After

Be willing to share your testimony with people you may meet on your mission trip. God molded our stories together and He will use them, so be open to talking about what God has done for you throughout your life. Also, God can use what happened on your trip even after you get home. Take the time to tell people about your trip and how it impacted you. Testify to people about missions and how you saw God at work on your trip. When you share your story, remember to give God the glory. Your trip is not ultimately about what you did, but about what God did through you and your team.