Group Mission Trips: Get the Most Out of Your Experience
Looking for “group mission trips”? These ideas will help you find the right fit and make it an incredible experience.
Group mission trips are one of the best opportunities to break a group out of their comfort zones, challenge them to see God in a new way, and be a part of making a long-term impact in the lives of community leaders all across the country. But finding the right fit can be a struggle, especially when you’re trying to process all the logistics of coordinating a mission trip. We’ve got your back.
Since 1994, YouthWorks has been creating and facilitating group mission trips all across the country. Many of our communities have been our long-term partners for 10+ years and we’re thrilled to introduce new groups to them every summer. God is always up to something incredible, and it’s a pleasure to get to celebrate it during every group’s mission trip.
But before you read on, here are some helpful links in case you’re trying to find something a little different:
- What group mission trip options does YouthWorks offer? Check them out HERE >>
- Are you wondering what COVID Safety Measure we offer for group mission trips? View the most recent information HERE >>
- Do you need help planning your first group mission trip? Use the LIVE CHAT feature in the bottom right of our website or give us a call at 800-968-8504.
All set? Let’s jump into some ideas about your group mission trips.
Group Mission Trips: Why They Matter
Our story began in 1994 with a youth pastor who saw how group mission trips had drawn his teenagers to Jesus and to each other. There is something about taking a teenager out of their comfort zone and dropping them into a different environment that can create two key opportunities for growth:
- Personal growth. Your group can begin to see what they are capable of, how they can lead, and where their skills can be used to help others.
- Spiritual growth. Your group can learn about how God is moving in the most unlikely places and join in those movements of God that introduce them to a bigger story of the Gospel.
Group mission trips create an environment where this personal and spiritual growth can happen both individually and collectively. When you begin to hear the personal stories about where God showed up for someone while they were serving, it can be a testimony that challenges the entire group to look for God in the same ways.
That collective growth is powerful. It creates bonds that last a lifetime, and it turns a group mission trip into a life-long challenge.
All this happens because group mission trips create an opportunity for 5 key things:
- Bringing groups together.
- Broadening perspectives.
- Challenging comfort zones.
- Empowering everyone to serve.
- Creating sacred space.
For 26 years, we’ve seen group mission trips play a crucial role in countless lives, and we continue to believe everyone should have that experience.
How does YouthWorks create great group mission trips?
Creating and facilitating great group mission trips require you to nail a few key things the right way:
- Expectations
- Preparations
- Balance
- Follow-up
Setting the right EXPECTATIONS for your group mission trip is essential.
That’s true from the moment your group registers for your mission trip, and it’s important to reiterate those expectations multiple times leading up to your trip. You can get at those expectations by clearly answering key questions like:
- When do you need to register?
- How much does it cost?
- What kind of service experiences will be a part of the trip?
- What will sleeping and shower conditions be like?
- How will meals be prepared and served on-site?
- Are there any additional considerations or details that will be helpful to know?
Don’t let the answers to any of these questions be a surprise to your group on your mission trip.
We handle the on-site PREPARATIONS so you can focus on preparing your group.
There’s a lot that goes into a group mission trip, both in the planning for all that takes place when you’re on your trip and the spiritual preparation for your group before they even get into your van. We take all the on-site prep work off your shoulders by covering all service planning with our community partners, gathering materials, food, programming elements, and handling the lodging, showers, and anything else needed during your trip.
That frees you up to focus on the spiritual prep for your group. Here are some important questions to process during that time:
- How does your group mission trip connect to your church’s broader vision of service?
- What do you want your group to recognize about themselves, God, and each other by the end of your trip?
- How do you want to use the momentum from your group mission trip when you get back home?
We BALANCE the service and the learning experiences during your mission trip.
This pursuit of balance stems from our community-centered approach to Respectful Service. We introduce groups to the story of a community, what God is up to, and how we’re going to join in that work, without overshadowing or going around the local community leaders God has already been using. Our dedication to Respectful Service means that group mission trips are designed to help us:
- Listen closely.
- Speak carefully.
- Serve humbly.
Without these 3 things, group mission trips can end up doing far more harm than good for a community and those who serve. Here’s a FREE guide that will help you unpack how your group can embody Respectful Service on your next mission trip.
(If you haven’t read When Helping Hurts, you should add it to your library. We’d LOVE to chat with you about it!)
Check out this video about our Respectful Service value:
We create resources to help with the FOLLOW-UP after your mission trip.
The follow-up matters just as much for any group mission trip. After all, none of us go through all the care of creating an incredible mission trip if it’s not going to impact the long-term personal and spiritual development of your group.
As you’re preparing for your trip, our Mission Team will be able to walk you through all of our post-trip resources so that you’re prepared to use them before you even get in the van to go serve.
Additionally, check out a few of these resources in our FREE Mission Trip Library:
How do I plan my next group mission trip?
We make it easy to plan your next group mission trip.
There are a couple ways you can get started…
Plan your next group mission trip on your own. Just visit our Mission Trips page and search through all the communities that we’re partnering in. You can learn a little about each location, what service experiences your group might be a part of, check availability for particular weeks and even register on the spot.
See all our Mission Trips for Teens HERE >>
Connect with one of our Customer Engagement Specialists to help plan your next group mission trip. This is a great option if you’re not quite sure what experience would be best, if you want to create a custom trip, or if there are details you just need to talk through with another person. We’re here to help with all of it. You can start a conversation with the LIVE CHAT feature in the bottom right of our website. You can also email us directly at info@youthworks.com or give us a call at 800-968-8504.
And if this is your first group mission trip, we want to make sure you’re starting off on the right foot. Take advantage of our FREE Mission Trip Coaching and we’ll help guide you through a process of finding the right mission trip for your teens that fits your vision for service and discipleship.
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