There are many factors that should go into choosing your church’s next mission trip.

TIMING

Before you consider the number of people who want to go, make sure the receiving missionaries want you to be there. For many missionaries, having to be responsible for 10-12 people for a week can be taxing. Transportation, safety, food and lodging needs to be coordinated weeks in advance.

The best way to find out is simply asking what their needs are. If they suggest bringing a team would help them, then that is a good first step. Please do not force a trip onto a missionary simply because you really would like to go to Costa Rica. By the way, I heard they have great surfing there… The idea of missionary trip/vacation should not sway your decision. Sometimes a missionary receiving support may be hesitant to tell you not to come even when it may greatly interfere with his ministry’s rhythms. Be sensitive.

SAFETY

Another consideration in choosing the location of your next trip is safety. While terrorism is a global problem, there are definitely areas of the world Americans are not welcome. In many countries, it goes beyond rude treatment, to open hostility and targeting for kidnapping. Remember, if you are an American you are wealthier than 90% of the world.

When I lead mission trips, my number one responsibility is to get everyone on the team home safely. I don’t let my guard down for a minute. Even stateside trips to unfamiliar cities or urban areas are dangerous. Always use the buddy system with participants. No one goes anywhere without the consent of the group leader.

DEMOGRAPHICS

When considering the location a big determinate will be the demographics of the group going. Will it be just men? Or both men and women? Will minimal fitness levels be required? Please do not take a trip that requires exertion when the participants are not prepared. It will destroy your effectiveness and sour your host from inviting you back. No one wants to sit in a hospital (or worse) while the rest of the group moves forward.

Also, the maturity required in the location may limit who can go. Some cultures are very different from ours in America. You do not want to take people who cannot be sensitive to them. Silly or carelessness can ruin your witness.

COSTS

Costs are always a factor when planning a trip. Talk about whether the financial donation of the trip costs would better serve the missionary than actually going there for a week. At some point, it’s definitely advantageous to send people because they return with a clarity and vision for the work. Relationships can be forged to encourage and pray specifically for the missionary family. It may lead to God placing a burden in someone’s heart to return and serve alongside the missionary.

Many details should be completed in advance. The cost of the trip should be determined with enough time to give people the ability to save or raise funds.

PAPERWORK

In addition, if passports or visas are needed or renewed, time should be allowed for those to be completed. Many people find a checklist with a time schedule is helpful.

Another helpful tool for the trip leader is to have an application completed by each participant. The application should include the date of birth, passport number and emergency contact information. Knowing their regular doctor and any current medications with blood type may come in handy. Keep a copy of this application with you.

THE BIGGEST IMPACT

Mission trips are exciting. You get to see how the rest of the world lives out their faith. We have such an Americanized version of Christianity. Other cultures are not restricted by the traditions that have almost been elevated to the same stature as scripture. It is refreshing and usually much more simplified.

I always tell the people on my team the biggest impact they will make on this trip will be on them. Yes, they may brighten someone’s day and encourage another group. They may take pride in building a structure for a group that could not have done so themselves. However, the biggest takeaway will be how they can implement what they learned and experienced abroad back in their own community.

Go on a mission trip and it will stay with you the rest of your life.