How to plan and go on a productive missions trip
I can remember when I was a kid on the mission field when church groups would come visit us. It was always exciting to have new people here who were interested in what we were doing. It seemed like during a 12 week summer break, we would have one group each week. Sometimes they would drive a bus across the border. Sometimes they would fly and we would pick them up at the airport. I remember large groups of more than 30 people and small groups of less than half a dozen.
Several things always happen on missions trips.
At least one person in the group would almost certainly surrender their life to missions. (For example, Pastor Danny Dodson of Central Baptist Church in Center, Texas).
People on the mission field would be saved and their lives would be directly impacted by the missions group.
It was a blessing to us (the missionaries).
Over the years, fewer and fewer groups have come to visit the mission field. The focus seems to have shifted to other interests, but missions trips are still relevant! You would be amazed how much a missions trip can help you and the people of your church.
I’d like to share some ideas about how to plan and go on a productive missions trip.
Understand the purpose.
It’s not a vacation. It’s hard work. I don’t want to disappoint you right off the bat, but we may as well get this out of the way. Some people get to the mission field and realize that they are not at a vacation destination. Productive missions trips are designed to give people an opportunity to serve.
There are different kinds of missions trips:
Work teams (building, painting, cleaning, etc.)
Medical (dental work, eye glasses, wheel chairs, etc.)
Preaching (evangelization, training nationals, assisting the missionaries, etc.)
Youth groups (raise awareness, soften hearts, realize a need, etc.)
Some trips comprise a combination of these activities. When groups come to our field, we always take some time for sight seeing and shopping. We will treat you well. We will feed you well. We will have a good time! But you will be disappointed if you think a missions trip is an opportunity to get away and relax.
The main purpose of a missions trip is to go home with a heart full of compassion for the needs of the people in the area you visited. We have seen hundreds of people surrender their lives to the Lord while visiting the mission field on a mission trip.
Be aware of availability.
Keep your ear to the ground. If a missions trip is on your radar, you need to have a wide array of options. There are missionaries literally all over the world, but not all of them have the availability to host a missions group.
Logistics
One of the greatest obstacles a missionary faces when hosting a missions team is logistics. I remember the days when we would host a missions group of 30 or more people. We had to provide food, housing and transportation for them. This is a big ask for a missionary! Some missionaries are well established and have the necessary infrastructure to host missions groups. Other missionaries are just getting started and your visit could be more of a burden than a blessing.
Expenses
I remember my dad sitting down with guest pastors at the end of the week “settling up” the expenses we had incurred during their visit. Most pastors would agreeably cover the amount, but there were a few that didn’t understand the financial obligation of hosting a group. Dad wouldn’t argue with them, but I know there were times we went into debt because of a missions group.
It is advisable for the mission group to raise all the funds they need before making the final preparations for the trip. If possible, plan on contributing financially to a specific need while you are with the missionary. And please, don’t leave a missionary in debt because you were unable to cover the costo of your stay.
Timing
You also need to be aware of your availability. Your calendar may not line up perfectly with the missionaries calendar. It takes time to plan a trip and make sure that you are going at the best time for you and for the missionary.
Think about the following:
Is school in session in the country you are visiting? If you are going to Central or South America (and most places in the southern hemisphere), their summer break is during our winter while our summer break is during their winter.
What’s the weather like at the time of year you are going? In most cases on the mission field, you won’t have air conditioning (A/C is a luxury in some countries). Try to go when it’ll be cool enough to avoid heat related illnesses (heat stroke, mosquito bites, etc.)
Is the missionary on the field? I’ve known of folks that have planned missions trips while the missionary was on furlough. That just isn’t advisable at all.
Your trip will be productive and enjoyable if you are simply aware of availability.
Communicate with the missionary
Most missionaries will be thrilled to have a group come visit them on the mission field. I know we would be! But you must communicate with the missionary months in advance to make sure all your ducks are in a row.
Here is a list of questions to ask a missionary before you plan to visit them:
Is your region of the world safe for foreigners?
What’s the best time of year for us to visit?
How long should we plan to stay?
Can you provide housing for X amount of people?
Can you provide safe food and clean water for X amount of people?
Can you provide transportation for X amount of people?
Can you provide translators?
How much will it cost you (the missionary) to host us?
What are your needs and how can we help you meet them while we are there?
What will be on our schedule (work, evangelism, tourism)?
What’s the dress code for men and ladies?
Is the trip appropriate for dating couples?
Can you provide us with an evangelistic “cheat-sheet” to help with the language barrier while out soul winning?
What can we bring in our luggage that would be a blessing to your family (food, treats, clothes, shoes, toys, books, etc.)?
Do we need any immunization shots before we go?
Certainly there are more questions you will think of while communicating with the missionary. The point is to make sure all the questions are answer before you make final preparations for the trip.
Final thoughts…
In my opinion, a church should plan at least one missions trip each year. The Lord said “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” I would challenge you to start planning a missions trip today! There are few better ways to have a greater impact on missions than to go to the mission field yourself.
Are you planning a trip to the mission field any time soon?
I’d like to know about it. Please comment below.
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Thanks!