Adventures in Missions

A Thanksgiving That Gives Back: How Families Can Serve Together in North Carolina

Each November, families across the country gather to give thanks. Tables fill with laughter, food, and familiar traditions. But for hundreds of families in Western North Carolina, many still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, Thanksgiving looks a little different. This year, Adventures Relief is inviting families to rediscover the heart of gratitude by spending Thanksgiving week serving together. From November 22-28, 2025, families can join our long-term base in Black Mountain, North Carolina for a week of meaningful service, community connection, and Kingdom impact. Why...

I Didn’t Know Missions Could Look Like This

When most people hear “mission trip,” they picture building houses, painting walls, or handing out food. And while those things matter deeply, Ambassadors trips show that living on mission can look a whole lot different and a whole lot more personal. For students ages 14-18, Ambassadors isn’t just about doing projects. It’s about being present. It’s about showing up with open hands, a listening heart, and a willingness to see where God is already moving. On an Ambassadors trip, you might lead worship on the beach in Chicago, pray with a shop owner in Costa Rica, or share a meal with...

Stepping Up, Giving Away: Reflections from Chicago

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...

When Faith Goes Offline: Why Ambassadors Matters in a Digital World

We live in a world where almost everything happens online. We scroll to learn, we swipe to connect, we double-tap to show we care. For today’s teens, the internet feels like the classroom, the community, even the church. But some things can’t be downloaded, streamed, or learned through a screen. That’s where Ambassadors comes in. For 2-4 weeks, students ages 14-18 step away from the constant buzz of notifications and step into real life with God and others. They worship together, serve shoulder-to-shoulder, and experience what it means to be the Church in the world around them. And here’s...

Behind the Curtain: Preparing for a Mission Trip with Adventures in Missions

You’ve said yes to going. Now what? Whether you’re heading to a rural community in Appalachia, serving alongside local leaders in Costa Rica, or preparing for an immersive experience in Fairbanks, Alaska, getting ready for a mission trip can feel both exciting and overwhelming. At Adventures in Missions, we don’t just send people to new places. We prepare them to go well – spiritually, practically, and relationally. This is your behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to get ready for an Adventures mission trip. Step 1: Apply for a Trip It starts with a yes. Once you’ve found a trip that...

Adventure. Purpose. A Chance to Make a Difference.

What happens when you bring worship out of the church walls and into the heart of a city? That’s exactly what the Ambassadors team will discover in Chicago, Summer 2026. For 22 days, students ages 14-18 will step into something bold and fresh: a series of pop-up worship services across Chicago. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the steps of Cloud Gate (“the Bean”), you’ll help create spaces where people encounter God in the middle of their everyday lives. Local pastors from around the city will join us in bringing the hope of Jesus to the places people already gather. Your days will have...

Why Costa Rica Will Change the Way You See God’s World

It’s one thing to read about God’s heart for the nations. It’s another to step into a new culture, serve alongside His people, and watch your vision of His Kingdom expand right before your eyes. That’s what makes the Costa Rica Ambassadors trip so transformational. For 22 days, students will live in community with a team of peers and leaders, partnering with local ministries who are already building relationships and sharing the hope of Jesus. From leading children’s programs to serving in neighborhoods, each day is a chance to see the Gospel lived out in a new context. And here’s the...

What Parents Want to Know About Ambassadors

Sending your teenager on a mission trip is a big step. You’re not just booking a plane ticket, you’re entrusting them to a team, to leaders, and to an experience that will shape their faith and character. We know the questions running through your mind, and we want you to have clear, confident answers. Here’s a look at what sets Ambassadors apart. Is it safe? Safety isn’t something we tack on at the end, it’s built into every detail from day one. Leaders are carefully trained and background-checked. We partner with trusted local ministries who know their communities inside and out. Behind...

More Than a Mission Trip: Developing a Heart for the Nations

At first, it might seem like just a week away from home. A chance to serve, explore, and make memories with your team. But anyone who’s been on a mission trip will tell you: it’s more than a plane ticket and a packing list. Short-term missions have the power to awaken something deeper: a broader perspective, a deeper sense of purpose, and a heart that beats for God’s global Kingdom. You begin to see the world the way He does. From Local Service to Global Vision Mission trips pull us out of our routines and into new places where the Gospel is lived and breathed differently. In a small...

Why We Go: Stories of Healing and Hope from Beauty for Ashes

There’s a moment on every Beauty for Ashes trip when time seems to stand still. It’s usually quiet. Sometimes it comes with tears. Sometimes laughter. Sometimes just a deep exhale. It’s the moment when a woman realizes she’s not alone. When the lie that her story is too broken, or too ordinary, gets shattered by truth and love. These are the moments we carry home. These are the stories that keep us going back. Presence That Changes Everything In Costa Rica, we stepped into the home of a single mother recovering from surgery. She had five children and little support. While she healed, her...

5 Ways Your Church Can Partner with Adventures in Missions

At Adventures in Missions, we believe God designed the Church to live on mission – both across the street and across the world. If your church is looking for meaningful ways to engage with global missions, deepen discipleship, and serve communities in need, there are countless ways we can partner together. Whether your congregation is passionate about going, giving, hosting, or praying, you have a vital role to play in what God is doing through Adventures. Here are five simple, impactful ways your church can get involved: 1. Serve on a Trip. Short-term mission trips offer your church an...

Navigating Reverse Culture Shock: How to Re-Enter Well After a Mission Trip

July 25, 2025
Adventures
Resource

You expected culture shock when you left home. But you didn’t expect it to hit just as hard when you came back. Coming home from a mission trip, whether it’s been a week, a month, or a year, can stir up all kinds of unexpected emotions. The world you return to feels the same… but you’re not. You’ve seen things, learned things, grown in ways that don’t fit neatly back into your daily routine. Welcome to reverse culture shock. It’s real. It’s normal. And with a little intention, you can navigate it well. Why Does Re-Entry Feel Hard? On the field, your days had a clear mission: serve...

Author: Adventures