We’re incredibly thankful for this partnership with Ministry Architects, and for the 100+ youth workers, church leaders, and ministry resourcing organizations that took the time to be a part of our COVID Impact Listening Sessions. Erica, YW’s President, and Jacob filmed this short dialogue with our Ministry Architects specialists Stephanie Caro and Toni Mosely about […]

Creating a mission trip is tough. But if everything you do points to Jesus, it’s worth it. Here’s how we know… QUOTES FROM TRIP LEADERS THIS SUMMER “[My students’] world became bigger and so did their view of Jesus.” – Shannon (Trip Leader in Duluth)  “It was encouraging to witness what God is doing in […]

#YW2021 is officially over and wow – it was a great summer. I had the honor of visiting many of our sites and taking in all of the great service and fun of a YouthWorks mission trip. After missing an entire summer last year due to COVID, it felt so long overdue. While I experienced […]

Whether or not to take your students on a mission trip this summer is a more challenging decision than ever. We’re living through a pandemic, so is it safe? How many of my students will sign up? Will their parents be comfortable with having their teenagers travel to a new community? Will I even have […]

Planning service projects for families? You’re in the right spot. Service projects for families can be a key way that your ministry can support discipleship from a family-first perspective. Afterall, getting a family to own their faith, to communicate about it, and to lean into each other, is one of the best ways to help […]

Guest blog from our friend Ben Zuehlsdorff, High School Director at Marin Covenant Church and contributor at www.averageyouthministry.com Youth ministry is all about setting the table. Throughout everything we do as youth workers, we know that Jesus is the one who changes lives, so we continually create spaces for Jesus to show up. Intuitively, we know […]

Weighing the pros and cons of a DIY mission trip? These questions will help. Mission trips are an incredible opportunity to invite students into the work of God in communities all across the country and the world. But the way you organize a mission trip can happen in lots of different ways. Some use a […]

Guest blog from our friend Benjamin Kerns who is the Lead Pastor at Marin Covenant Church and founder and curator of www.averageyouthministry.com Many of us have been working so hard to keep our own ministries afloat that the ministries and missions organizations that we are connected to have diminished. This is understandable, but it is […]

Exploring local mission trip options? This post is perfect for you. Local mission trips are a perfect option for groups wanting to mobilize teenagers to serve this summer without the potential risks of traveling to a new community. COVID-19 has changed so many elements of youth ministry this year, and as thrilled as we are […]

If you’re like a lot of youth leaders, fundraising might be one of the more daunting parts of planning for your mission trip.  We’re here to help. With 28 years of mission trip experience, we’ve compiled some great fundraiser planning tips as well as our favorite fundraising ideas from experienced youth leaders. All of these […]