Mission trips are an incredible way for the believers in your church to participate in the Great Commission and serve those living and working full-time in the mission field.
Only an estimated 31.6% of the over 8 billion people in the world claim Jesus as their Savior and Lord (Statista). That leaves over 7,000 unreached people groups, amounting to 43.5% of the world population (Joshua Project), plus the millions among the reached peoples who haven’t heard or accepted the name of Jesus.
There’s still a long way to go in the effort to bring people “from every tribe, from all tribes and peoples and languages” before the throne of God (Revelation 7:9). And while you teach that every believer should be sharing the Gospel, few are able to travel outside their communities to do so.
Your entire congregation is called to participate in the Great Commission, but it can be difficult to connect those who cannot physically go on your mission trips with the work that needs to be done.
It’s easy for someone to believe that if they aren’t personally traveling to the mission location, there is nothing for them to do.
This couldn’t be further from the truth!
Mission trips require more than just a body willing to do the work. They need prayer, financial aid, supplies, family support while the participants are gone, and so much more.
Regardless of why many of your congregants can’t go, there are multiple ways they can support the mission effort and be just as involved in spreading God’s Word as those who do the going.
1) Give specific, tangible requests
One of the most common questions you’ll get from the members of your congregation who aren’t going on the trip is, “What do you need?”
Many in your congregation want to support the efforts of the mission trip, even if they can’t go themselves. They would love to help but aren’t sure how.
Mission trip coordinators often know in advance what projects and tasks the team will participate in and what items or equipment will be needed.
With those needs in mind, create a list of things your church members can donate or give financially toward purchasing. Nothing is too small for these requests. You’ve got congregants who can give much and those who can only give little, so including everything your team might need will allow those with limited funds to take part.
But make sure you’re as detailed with the list as possible. Saying you need arts and crafts supplies isn’t going to be as effective as asking for enough colored construction paper, glue sticks, and popsicle sticks for 50 kids to make paper butterflies.
People are more likely to contribute if they have a specific need in mind. A general request for help or an unspecified amount or description often doesn’t yield the resources needed and deprives your members of the blessing of serving this way.
Giving them specific, tangible ways to contribute to your mission project will open the doors for every person in your pews to get involved.
2) Incorporate prep into another event
If you’re planning a mission trip that needs physical supplies or funds for a specific project, consider ways to incorporate that collection into another event at your church.
For example, let’s say you’ll distribute school supplies and toys to children during your trip. Ask attendees at your fall festival or Christmas celebration to bring an item to donate.
If you need to gather money for the trip or for a special project while you’re gone, consider taking up a love offering during your widow/widower Valentine’s Day banquet, or make that project your offering for Vacation Bible School.
Promoting the gathering of materials or bringing a special donation as part of an event you’re already hosting will encourage participation from those who may not normally have contributed simply because you’ve made it a part of something else.
Those who won’t physically be going on the trip will be able to contribute to the work that will be done.
3) Host a commissioning service
It’s not uncommon for congregations to be unaware of who’s going on a mission trip. They may recognize names or faces, but if you have a large congregation, likely, your average congregant won’t know everyone traveling with your mission team.
Hosting a commissioning service or send-off party will give your congregation the chance to see exactly who’s going and pray over them by name.
A commissioning service would introduce participants to the congregation and give you the opportunity to pray as a united body of believers for God’s hand over everything they do.
This kind of service could take place once you’ve finalized your team, potentially months before the trip is scheduled to take place, or function as a send-off right before your team leaves.
Offer a reception after the service and invite your congregation to come and chat with those who will be going on the trip. Encourage them to ask about specific needs or prayer requests and to get to know the mission team.
4) Create a prayer calendar
One of the best ways your congregation can support the efforts of your mission trip team is through prayer.
Create a prayer calendar with different things to pray for, both leading up to the trip and for each day your team is gone.
Include prayer requests for:
- The local church and the missionaries with which your team will partner.
- Opportunities to share the Gospel with the lost.
- Growth in the team members’ personal faith.
- Traveling mercies.
- Protection from injury or illness.
- The families who stay behind while a loved one goes.
In addition to a calendar for your entire congregation, establishing a prayer team specifically dedicated to praying for your mission team is a great way to involve your prayer warriors in the trip. Open that team for anyone who would like to participate in covering the mission trip in prayer.
5) Ask congregants to “adopt” a team member.
A common practice when children and teens are going to camp is to ask members of your congregation to “adopt” a camper. The congregants would send little treats and notes with the campers to open while they’re gone, so they know they are loved and prayed for when they’re far from home.
The same concept can be applied to your mission team. Ask your congregation to “adopt” the team members. They would commit to praying for them before and during their trip and send messages of encouragement with them.
If your team is travelling to a closed or restricted location, include directions about what can and can’t be said in your requests for participants. You don’t want something intended for encouragement to cause any issues if your team is detained or encounters other security issues.
Not everyone can go, but everyone can help!
The Great Commission doesn’t just apply to those travelling to the ends of the earth. Every one of us receives the same directive when we accept Jesus as Lord.
But even if we can’t personally go outside our communities for whatever reason, each of us can be a part of supporting those on the mission field.
From kids to senior adults, from the lowest income to the wealthiest congregant, every member of your congregation can participate in your mission trip if you give them the right opportunities.
They might not be able to go, but they can help!
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