Sometimes the most powerful moments of a mission trip don’t happen on a stage or in a planned event. They unfold in backyards, around picnic tables, or while worship fills the air over a neighborhood cookout.

That’s exactly what happened in Chicago this summer.

Ambassadors leader Maia shared how deeply she was moved by a community worship night and cookout the team helped host with a local church. “I saw each of our members step up, pray, receive, and give away,” Maia said. “As a leader, it made me weepy, and I’m leaving proud. This trip is etched into my heart and I’m eternally thankful.”

Students ages 14-18 aren’t just watching the mission happen, they’re living it. They’re stepping out of their comfort zones, learning to depend on God, and discovering what it means to love and serve in real-time with real people.

Even when challenges arise – like language barriers – there’s beauty. Chicago is home to a vibrant Hispanic community, and Maia reflected that many students wished they had learned a few Spanish phrases ahead of time to better connect. It’s a reminder that even in the U.S., mission often means stretching ourselves to cross cultural lines and build bridges of understanding.

At Adventures in Missions, we believe those moments of stretching are where faith grows deepest. Teens walk away not only with memories but with a clearer vision of how God is at work in the world, and how He invites them to be part of it.

As Maia put it best: “I love AIM. I’ve been working with them for 8 years! Thank you for everything, for stewarding missions and empowering the next generation.”

If you want to be part of a story like this – where worship, service, and real community collide – Ambassadors is waiting.

Join us for the Ambassadors Chicago “Created to Worship” Trip

Cost: $1,975 per person
Dates: July 3-24, 2026 (22 days)
Age Range: 14-18