New Mexico - Mission Trip

AGE RANGE: Youth Trips 11+, Family Trips 6+

STARTING PRICE: $445

TRIP TYPES: Youth Trips, Family Trips, High School Trips

Community Overview

The Eastern Shoshoni and Northern Arapaho tribes share the Wind River Reservation in central Wyoming, one of America’s most beautiful Native American enclaves. 

Come join us in making a difference in the spiritual lives of these wonderful people! Then see what a difference your ministry has made with your own eyes.

The Eastern Shoshone and Arapaho tribes were traditional enemies before their forced sharing of this reservation in the middle of Wyoming. They still do not get along very well.  Alcohol and drug abuse is rampant among these people, as among most Native American populations.  The accompanying violence and sexual abuse are destroying the family structure, and leaving their children with a sense of unavoidable evil and hopelessness.  It is little wonder that the suicide rate among Native Americans is five or more times that of any other U.S. ethnic group.  In their desperation to escape, teens are the vast majority of suicide victims.  

This reservation is known for demonic activity and spiritual oppression. It is an excellent mission for spiritually mature, experienced student missionaries. Expect high levels of spiritual warfare. The local kids are approachable, though sometimes hostile and often cautious. It is definitely a cross-cultural ministry experience and it will stretch you. Initiative ideas may be necessary to open doors for relationships and ministry.  

We are privileged to work with incredibly committed ministry partners: Kurt Schaefli of Open Air Campaigners, Set Free Ministries – a well known recovery ministry, and Pastor Bryce, Jr. of Wind River Church of the Nazarene.  God is using them to impact the reservation for Jesus. Join us as we get to come alongside them to help in the work they are already doing.

Mission Trip Location Overview

Mission Trip Details

Top 3 Most Common Mission Trip Questions

Activities and Opportunities
  • Bible Camp or Vacation Bible School: a big hit right in the heart of that reservation, which draws 30-40 kids a day (for 3-4 days) to our partner’s church. As you spend time with the youth, your team can bring substantial energy and a lot of Jesus into their lives!
  • Outreach: In the evenings, we follow up with the kids and their families in the two, housing neighborhoods nearby. 
  • Family Groups: Your team might dedicate service to partner pastors, elders, and local church families. You’ll be able to divide into small sub-groups, each of which can be assigned to serve one or more families during your week. Your goal will be the renewal and restoration of their spirit, mind, and physical well-being. And provide any practical help they may need. 
  • Work/Service Projects: Your team will spend a small part of each day in work/service to Church leaders and members. You’ll sometimes bring and eat lunch with them. You’ll also spend even more of the day praying, worshiping, telling stories, and laughing with them. 
  • Ministers’ Appreciation Dinner: We have seen many local, Christian leaders and their wives blessed by a Ministers’ Appreciation Dinner, including any comedy acts, skits, and favors for the wives. We haven’t done one of these in many years. Maybe it’s time to bring it back?
  • Additional Youth Outreach Opportunities: Come ready to bring the joy of the Lord through any of the following activities that will help build relationships between your participants and local teens: laser tag, movies, ice cream, hikes, cookouts in the Lander park, etc.
Lodging

Teams will sleep on the floors of your host church, Wind River Church of the Nazarene, your mission headquarters. The sanctuary can be divided into male and female sections. Please bring air mattresses, bedding, pillow, and towels. There are 2  bathrooms, each with 2 showers.  You’ll cook in the church kitchen, eat meals there, and meet there to debrief, worship, and pray.

Meals

There is a full kitchen with anything you might need. Meals are very much a team effort, and we have a lot of fun in the process! Teams will participate in meal prep and serving. Breakfast will be cold cereal, fruit, bagels, etc. Hot breakfasts could be available as well, depending on the group’s willingness to contribute to the meal prep and cooking. Lunch will be packed sandwiches, fruit and a side to take to the ministry site. Hot dinners will typically be served after ministry at the church each day or alongside the ministry events.

Travel and Transportation

Most of our Native American ministry partners are located in rural areas and require a 2-3 hour drive from the nearest airport. Many teams drive a bus or van from their home city to save on travel costs. If you choose to fly, we will direct you to the nearest airport once your location is selected. Should you choose this option, you would need to rent vehicles from the airport. Parking is available on site.

Health and Safety

The safety of our participants is a top priority for us. We have both an internal Risk Management team and external Risk Management consultants. We use a multi-pronged approach to risk management – including monitoring information from reporting agencies and relying on the knowledge of our ministry partners. In addition to our own protocols (e.g., students must be with an adult at all times), our ministry hosts and partners will provide trip specific safety guidelines for the particular trip location. Our Project Leaders are trained in risk management and have access to both on-field and home-office support.

Registration and Payment

$500 Deposit: This deposit is required to reserve your trip. At this point, you will lock in your trip and we will keep in touch with you going forward about preparation. This deposit is applied to the total cost of your trip.

50% Payment: Half of your total trip cost will need to be paid 3 months before your trip.

100% Payment: The remaining balance is due 2 months before your trip.

Project Leader

An adult Project Leader will be assigned to your team throughout the duration of your trip. They  will stay with you and your team, as well as engage daily with you throughout ministry and daily life activities. This leader will have strong missions experience, leadership experience and a demonstrated competence in the area of discipleship of youth and young adults. In most cases, your project leader will help with facilitating ministry, meals and daily debrief and devotional time. Your Project Leader will be assigned to your trip and you’ll have the opportunity to have conversations with them during the weeks leading up to your trip.

Mission Trip Details

Wind River Reservation Trip Options

See all of the mission trip options for our New Mexico trips.

Plan a Trip:

MonthStartEndTypeDestinationCost Options
March2024-03-022024-03-08Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
March2024-03-092024-03-15Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
March2024-03-162024-03-22Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
March2024-03-232024-03-29Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
March2024-03-302024-04-05Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
April2024-04-062024-04-12Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
April2024-04-132024-04-19Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
April2024-04-202024-04-26Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
April2024-04-272024-05-03Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
May2024-05-042024-05-10Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
May2024-05-112024-05-17Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
May2024-05-182024-05-24Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
May2024-05-252024-05-31Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
June2024-06-012024-06-07Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
June2024-06-082024-06-14Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
June2024-06-152024-06-21Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
June2024-06-222024-06-28Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
June2024-06-292024-07-05Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
July2024-07-062024-07-12Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
July2024-07-132024-07-19Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
July2024-07-202024-07-26Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
July2024-07-272024-08-02Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
August2024-08-032024-08-09Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
August2024-08-102024-08-16Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
August2024-08-172024-08-23Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
August2024-08-242024-08-30Group Trips – Families, High School, Youth GroupsWind River Reservation, Wyoming$495 7 Day/PP Request Info
Mission Trip Options

Sample Trip Schedule

Alaska Schedule

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Project Leaders for this Location

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