When it comes to preparing for a mission trip, deciding where to go can be the hardest part.
You’ve felt the call to missions. A sermon, youth retreat, or an inspirational article has you ready to jump on the next flight to a country with mud huts and a different language.
This enthusiasm is great, but all too often it clouds judgment when deciding where to go on a mission trip. To be a good steward of your call, there are several questions you must answer:
1. Where is God calling you?
First and foremost, mission trips should be dictated by where God leads you. Ask for guidance and discernment from the Lord, and making the best selection will seem more clear.
Being called to missions is not selfish; it is a command straight from Jesus in Matthew 28. A selfish desire, however, can pervert a mission trip that began with good intentions. Make sure to safeguard against this.
2. What is available?
Even after prayer, there maybe different options available. This is an opportunity for you to weigh each aspect of the trips before committing. Researching the organization hosting a trip is a great place to start.
Look into what the organization has planned pre-trip, during the trip, and post-trip. There should be resources to prepare you, including in emergency situations. While on the trip, there should be means to help you be most effective. This could include supportive leadership, living necessities, and translators, if needed. After the trip, expect a method of debriefing to be planned.
Get a clear understanding of what the trip’s focus is. Who are the target receivers of the gospel? How will the gospel be shared?
Making sure an organization is a good steward of its assets is part of your responsibility as a missionary. The organization doesn’t have to be big, just prepared. Missions 101 Training is a great tool for those looking to be prepared.
3. Where do you fit best?
By now the search may have narrowed down to a few choices. While still in prayer, see which trip best suits your skill set. You may have certain abilities that better fit one trip over the others.
This is not to say you are ineffective if you don’t have a certain skill for a trip. God calls many “unqualified” people to do great things for his kingdom. If you feel the undeniable draw to a trip, do not worry about being adequate enough. Take this quiz to find out more about yourself.
4. Where will the money come from?
This needs to be the last of your concerns, but still a concern. If God has called you on a particular trip, he will equip you to go. This may come from donors, fundraisers, or your own pocket. Always be in prayer and have faith in God’s provision.
Are you a parent worried about your child going on a mission trip? Check out the Top Five Things Parents Need to Know Before Sending Their Children to the Mission Field.
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