What Is a Mission Trip? How God Can Use You

Mission trips change lives. Whether it's a few days or a few weeks, time invested on a foreign field can increase your faith and give you a heart for missions that lasts a lifetime. Even if you can't go yourself, you can encourage others with some thoughtful mission trip gift ideas. After all, mission trips mean leaving what's comfortable and normal. But while flexibility is the first rule of missions, you can make sure some of the basics are covered.     7 Mission Trip Gift Ideas It's awesome to consider the needs of missionaries. And sending a care package to someone who's serving on a foreign field is absolutely awesome! Of course, a lot of missionary needs will depend on the length and location of the journey. Spend time doing some research and talking with your missionary about what needs might come up. That also might help you avoid getting a mission trip gift that won't work at all. Having said that, a few go-to items stand out on most lists of mission trip gift ideas. Below, we've listed seven possibilities. None of them are fancy, and most can be found in minutes through a simple online search. But they all will enhance the experience—and faith—of your missionary! 1. Journal. One of the greatest ways to make a mission trip "stick" is to record the events and experiences as they happen. That makes a journal a great mission trip gift idea. Whether used as a daily diary or to reflect on spiritual milestones, a journal can keep the most important parts of the trip alive long after your missionary is back home. (Tip: Add a pack of nice pens or highlighters to the gift!)   2. Electrical adapters. It's no secret that most of the world delivers power differently than the United States. That makes adapters and converters a must. They'll need something to keep their cell phones, computers, and other electronics up and running. It's an extremely practical mission trip gift and one that your missionary—especially a first-time international traveler—will find invaluable.    3. A book about the nation they are visiting. Honestly, your missionary might already know a lot about their host nation. They may even have a heart for that particular culture or people group. But it also helps to know more about their destination. Plus, it reveals shows humility to keep learning.    4. Encouraging notes. This is an inexpensive mission trip gift idea, but its value cannot be overstated. Write a note for each day that your missionary will be gone, and place each note in a different envelope. That way, they will have a touchpoint from home every day of the trip. If the short-term trip involves weeks instead days, just write enough for one or two per week. (Tip: Make sure to include plenty of encouraging Bible verses to provide a lift on days that are tough.)   5. A backpack with supplies. Every world traveler needs a backpack, so that makes it a great mission trip gift. But you can go the extra mile by including some special items. On the practical side, you could pack a flashlight or a first aid kit. You could also add a water bottle with a built-in purifying system. But, most importantly, don't forget to include some of your missionary's favorite snacks and candy!   6. A foreign-language dictionary. Career missionaries take language classes to get ready for their assignment. While your short-term missionary won't have that kind of time or training, they can take advantage of a dictionary that helps them communicate with locals on the field. You can even highlight some of the most common phrases they'll need to know, like "thank you" and "good morning."   7. Something to leave behind. While your missionary may want to return with some souvenirs, it could also be great to leave something behind. This is especially true if they are living with a local family during the trip. It doesn't have to be fancy—maybe a game or a book or a toy—but it can open doors and make a lasting impression on the folks they are helping. It's a simple way to say "thank you" and to show love in Jesus's name.   Give the power of prayer Before He went back to heaven, Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). You can do that in three basic ways. First, you can go on a trip yourself. That would be a great opportunity to be Jesus's hands and feet, and it could help you see your faith differently even after you get home. Second, you can give. That could include financial support or words of encouragement to someone else on the field—like your short-term missionary. The mission trip gift ideas listed above are a piece of that puzzle! Beyond those, you can pray—and that may be the greatest tool in your mission's toolbox. Along with your mission trip gifts, promise to pray daily for your missionary while they're gone—and follow through on that promise. They will need it, and it can be a blessing to you as well. Prayer is something everyone can do, so make sure to give that gift to your short-term missionary.   Discover Medical Missions. Medical Missions serves to connect your professional skills and biblical calling to the largest database of healthcare mission organizations, professionals, and thought leadership. Join us at the Global Missions Health Conference to find your Medical Missions calling. Or, browse our full list of partner organizations to find the right mission for you.

God calls missionaries to fill different roles in different contexts. Some might be called to medical missions, while others share the gospel through church planting or marketplace ministry. There are many roles of a missionary, some might pursue short-term missions with several trips over a lifetime, while others embrace long-term mission opportunities. If you feel like God is moving you toward long-term missions, you’ve got a lot to think about and a lot to plan. Short-term missionaries often have the trips planned out for them and follow the agenda for a given adventure. But long-term mission opportunities mean investing large portions of your life in the nation you choose. You also must consider things like finances and insurance. But the biggest challenge you face is identifying a mission-sending organization that best fits your needs.   Keys to Identifying Sending Agencies Let’s be honest, there is no shortage of sending agencies that provide long-term mission opportunities. And that’s a good thing. God is using many organizations to help individuals realize their calling to missions and to fulfill the Great Commission.    Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit   Matthew 28:19   But the sheer number of agencies does present a challenge as you prayerfully examine your choices. The list of important questions to answer as you look at long-term mission opportunities include things like: • Does the agency align with your theology and philosophy of missions? • What training does the agency offer long-term missionaries? • What role does the agency play in financial support? • What additional support (financial, insurance, mental health, furloughs, and so forth) does the agency provide? • What are the expenses you will need to cover? • What nations does the agency serve? • What kind of reputation does the agency have in the long-term missions community? As you can see, finding your best fit for long-term mission opportunities requires a lot of time and a lot of research. But, through some solid research and a lot of prayer, you can find a long-term mission adventure that will place you in the sweet spot of God’s call on your life.     10 Long-Term Mission Opportunities Available to You   As mentioned, you have a lot of options for long-term missions. To help you get started, we’ve listed 10 agencies that can point you in the right direction. These agencies aren’t the only ones sponsoring long-term missionaries, but they have stood the test of time and are faithfully working to fulfill the Great Commission.    1. CRU. Founded in 1951 as Campus Crusade for Christ, CRU shares the gospel in nearly 200 countries around the world. CRU teams seek to establish common ground with local residents through things like sports, media, humanitarian aid, and more.    2. Adventures in Missions. Missionaries serving in long-term opportunities have the chance to immerse themselves in the culture, which helps them earn a hearing. Adventures in Missions challenges Christ followers to make those necessary connections on the field as marketplace missionaries. Founded in 1989, Adventures in Missions has placed more than 125,000 missionaries in short-term and long-term opportunities over the years.   3. Word of Life. Word of Life has been sending missionaries on long-term mission opportunities around the globe for some eight decades. At present, more than 1,500 Word of Life missionaries serve in 70 different countries. The career opportunities are diverse, including Bible clubs, education, and camps.   4. Team. For more than 130 years, Team has worked to fulfill the Great Commission by offering long-term mission opportunities. Since its inception in 1891, Team has moved from a narrow focus on a couple of areas to an expansion around the world. Today, it’s network includes more than 500 missionaries and some 2,000 churches. Team provides numerous long-term options, including medical and health care missions.   5. Samaritan’s Purse. Through its World Medical Mission teams, Samaritan’s Purse has been supporting the work of overseas hospitals and clinics since 1977. In addition to providing supplies and technical support, World Medical Mission also sends missionaries to serve in medical settings around the world.   6. Operation Mobilization. For more than 50 years, Operation Mobilization (OM) has carried the message of Jesus to men, women, and children across the globe. OM currently sponsors nearly 7,000 individuals in 188 nations. Some serve in remote areas, while others work in large, urban centers. Many even serve on OM ships, stopping at a variety of ports around the world.   7. Pioneers. Pioneers has been pursuing its passion to plant churches among the least-reached people groups in the world since 1979. These days, Pioneers has more than 2,800 missionaries ministering in many different arenas, including community health. The group’s goal is to use an individual’s personal calling and strengths to determine which long-term mission opportunity best fits their situation.   8. Equip International. Founded in 1996, Equip International strives to spread the gospel through community improvement. For example, the organization’s long-term opportunities include medical programs like Community Health Evangelism, Missionary Medicine Intensive, and Missionary Medicine for Physicians. In these settings, a missionary might serve as a medical professional in an underserved area or support a local physician who has limited training and experience. The key is empowering the community, while sharing the gospel and promoting discipleship through everyday interactions.   9. Frontiers. Frontiers began its work in 1982 and focuses its ministry on training and sending field workers to Muslim nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. By meeting the physical and medical needs of individuals, long-term missionaries can speak into their spiritual needs. In addition, such medical missionaries have the potential of reaching nations that are closed to more traditional workers.   10. SIM (Sudan Interior Mission) Founded in 1893 as Sudan Interior Mission, SIM provides international missions with an international flavor. The roughly 4,000 missionaries now serving with SIM come from more than 70 different nations. In addition, this diverse group of leaders ministers in a wide variety of missions settings.     Other Mission Options for Long-Term Missionaries If you’re still looking for ways to hear God’s voice regarding long-term mission opportunities, we have two more suggestions. First, check out your denomination’s sending organizations. For example, the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board each serve the Southern Baptist Convention. Your denomination may have similar sending agencies. Also, you can attend mission conferences, such as the Global Health Missions Conference. At these events, you can learn more about what it means to be a missionary, connect with missionary-sending agencies, and network with long-term missionaries already on the field. If God has called you to embrace long-term mission opportunities, He will guide you and equip you. Prayerfully see where He is leading and follow His directions. Your life will never be the same!     Discover Medical Missions. Medical Missions serves to connect your professional skills and biblical calling to the largest database of healthcare mission organizations, professionals, and thought leadership. Join us at the Global Missions Health Conference to find your Medical Missions calling. Or, browse our full list of partner organizations to find the right mission for you.