How to Plan a Mission Trip for Your Church, Part 2

By Raul Rivera

The Great Commission refers to when Jesus commanded His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations. . . .” (Matthew 28:19), a command that still applies to us today.

Perhaps a certain location has been on your heart and mind, for which you and your church have been praying. Maybe you have been asking God to send missionaries there to share the gospel. Have you considered becoming the answer to that prayer? Why not plan a mission trip for your church to go there?

It can be a scary thought to go somewhere that is unfamiliar and foreign. But at the same time, you know deep down that God is calling your church to bring the gospel to a certain place and its people. 

In Part 1, we addressed the steps for examining liability on a mission trip. In this post, we will cover the steps that you should consider when planning a mission trip.

Planning a successful mission trip

When planning a mission trip, there are important precautions to consider (e.g., waivers, release forms, and liability insurance).

Because the logistics of such a trip can be overwhelming, I have provided a list of questions to help guide you through the practical side of planning. Each of the team members should be able to fully answer the questions prior to departing on the trip.

Before going on your #missiontrip, there are questions that your #missionteam should be able to fully answer.

What to know before your mission trip

1. Where is your destination?

This is the most obvious question to ask and answer.

If your mission trip is overseas, each participant will need a passport for identification. Depending on the country that you are planning to visit, every participant may need a visa for travel.

If your destination requires a travel visa, your mission group will need an invitation letter from a resident of that country. Know that passports and visas may take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to process. Therefore, make sure that your mission participants have plenty of advance notice to obtain them.

2. Have you checked the OFAC list?

If you have attended one of our conferences or have gone through our StartRIGHT® Program, then you should be familiar with the OFAC list. If not, you may be asking, “What is the OFAC list?”

According to Executive Order 12947 and 13099, before your mission group travels to a foreign country or supports a foreign entity, you are required to search the Office of Foreign Asset Control’s list of sanctioned countries, companies, and individuals. (The “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List” and the “List of Sanctioned Countries” are the sections that should be checked. The lists can be found online at www.treasury.gov.) If you are interested in learning more, at our conferences we teach on the importance and necessity of churches and ministries adopting and implementing an anti-terrorism policy.

In addition to reviewing the OFAC list, it is good practice to check with the U.S. Department of State to confirm that your destined country is not sanctioned by the U.S. government.

3. Do you have a point of contact?

Once you have decided where you will be going and checked the OFAC list, it is important to locate a point of contact in that country.

Ideally, you will already have a point of contact for a mission group in your destined country, but if you do not, then there are plenty of mission organizations that can be of assistance.

Have you considered supporting a missions-ministry? There are many organizations that allow church groups or individuals to sign up for a specific, planned trip. Through these organizations, you can select mission trips that are designed for youth groups, families, or individuals at least 18 years of age.

(Recommended reading: "Are You Funding the Mission or the Missionary?")

If you are not sure of which mission organization to partner with, try visiting www.shorttermmissions.com. The website will allow you to search 1,775 short-term mission trips from 117 different mission organizations.

4. What is the purpose of the trip?

The trip purpose may be an easier part of the plan to consider. Your mission team will want to contemplate the activities that will be conducted on the trip. 

• Will you be building houses or other structures? 
• Will you be evangelizing with individuals in the region? 
• What type of physical activity will be involved? 

Answering these types of questions will help determine the age range of participants. In addition, selecting the trip activities may help decide the length of your trip.

5. How will you get there?

Next, it is important to determine how your mission group will get to the destined location.

If the mission group is traveling overseas, then flights will have to be booked for each participant. Know that the earlier the flights are purchased, the cheaper the plane tickets will usually cost.

Has your church considered supporting a missions-ministry? Check out @MissionTrips and @joshuaproject

If the mission trip is here in the U.S., then the travel arrangements may only involve 15-passenger van rentals. Of course, it depends on the number of individuals going on the trip and the proximity of the destination. You should also consider how much gas it will take to get there and the average price of gas. Use this information to compare the cost of driving to the cost of a plane ticket. If it will take more that one night to drive to the destination, then it may be more cost effective and time efficient to fly.

6. How much is the cost of the trip? 

The sooner that you are able to provide information for the cost of the trip, the better. In general, the total cost of the trip should cover travel, lodging, and meals.

Let participants know of other costs that are not included in the price of the trip such as passports, travel visas, and any necessary travel immunizations. Below are the typical costs for these items:

• Passport book & card - $140 (applicants 16 years of age and older), and $95 (applicants under the age of 16). There is an additional fee of $25 that applies to all applicants.
• Travel visa - The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa is $160.
• Travel immunizations - The cost of travel immunizations will vary depending on whether or not the participant has health insurance. It is best to check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of State to see what immunizations are required.

Once the participants are made aware of the total cost for the trip, provide tips on how they can raise financial support. Your mission group can also decide to participate in fundraisers as a team to help raise money.

(Related article: “5 Simple Fundraising Ideas That Will Work For Churches”)

Do not forget to pray

As you continue to move forward through the process of preparing and planning for your mission trip, do not forget to “pray without ceasing.” Pray for God’s provision and protection over the trip, pray for the country and people you will be ministering to, and pray for those who will be participating in the trip.

A mission trip may seem like a big step for many churches, and for you as a pastor. But remember, we serve a big God.

Our goal at StartCHURCH is to empower you to continue your efforts with the utmost confidence that your organization is protected as you walk in your calling. Consider attending our Ultimate Church Structure Conference to learn about other strategic methods that you can implement to empower your church and ministry.

Handpicked articles for you:

• “What You Need to Know Before Supporting Missions”
• “Are You Funding the Mission or the Missionary?”
• “When a Church Trip Goes Wrong, Who’s Liable?”

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