mission trip Archives - Page 2 of 3 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

What Happens on a Vision Trip?

What happens on a vision trip? Recent trip participants reflect on their experiences and how it helped them explore their missions calling. Photo by TEAM

Oct 11 2016

This summer, 15 people set out on TEAM Vision Trips across the globe. Teams traveled to Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Guatemala to catch a glimpse of how God is building his church in each place and explore how he might be calling them to be a part of building it there, too. Unlike a traditional short-term mission trip, a vision trip’s purpose is not ministry activity, but rather to explore the challenges and opportunities for long-term ministry in a different culture. This year, participants spent time with long-term missionaries to ask them candid questions about missionary life and work….

Teaching overseas is opening up new doors to share the Gospel in countries around the world. Photo by TEAM

May 31 2016

We all have gifts that God has given us to effectively share the Gospel. Have you ever considered that your fluency in English is one of them? Today, more and more people are getting certified in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and using it overseas to meet practical needs and make disciples. Kristin Dykstra, a TEAM missions coach serving in Illinois, majored in TESOL at Moody Bible Institute and now equips others to use English education in global missions. Her love for TESOL first grew while participating in a student exchange program in Russia, teaching English to non-native…

If you're stuck staring at a blank screen, here are some tips and tricks to help you write an effective support letter.

May 23 2016

Writing a support letter can seem like the highest hurdle to overcome in the support-raising journey — until you have the right tools in hand. Here are some great tips and tricks to writing a fantastic letter with all the key components that will make “the ask” for support a success. And once you’ve written your awesome support letter, be sure to download this Google template to keep track of your support team’s contact information and your financial progress. Less is more. Fit all the necessary information on one page, front and back. Period. Being clear and concise is key. Attention will…

Every mission trip is different, but there are few essential items every short-term missionary shouldn't leave home without.

May 12 2016

Whether you wait until the eleventh hour or have been packing and re-packing for months, here’s your comprehensive mission trip packing list. Download the checklist here to cross off items as you pack them! THE ESSENTIALS Don’t pull out of the driveway without these items in your bag. Bible and Journal Keep your journal handy to record your experiences and what God is teaching you. If you are serving in a security-sensitive area, like the Middle East, check with the long-term missionaries there before you bring Christian materials. Cash and Debit/Credit Card Find out how to best obtain the local currency when…

From bad t-shirts to wild gestures, watch this video for tips on how to avoid common mission trip blunders.

May 05 2016

Whether you’re going on a mission trip to Thailand or Guatemala, there are a few universal best practices you should know. Watch the video below for a comical look at the blunders short-term missionaries have been known to make. Then, read on for practical tips that will help you avoid these common mission trip mistakes. 1. Don’t be loud and obnoxious. Going to a new place you’ve only seen in photos is exciting. With each novel experience, you might feel like snapping a few selfies and voicing great delight. It’s important to remember that while this is an experience for you, it’s another Monday for the people…

Cultural preparation is critical to a short-mission trip. Jumpstart your cultural learning with these 20 questions. Photo by TEAM

Apr 21 2016

Preparing for a short-term mission trip doesn’t stop when your funds are raised and your flight is booked. Before jetting off on your short-term mission trip, it’s critical to have an understanding of the culture in which you will be living and serving. Having knowledge of your host country’s unique customs will engender the respect you need from locals to be successful in ministry. It also might save you from a cultural blunder or two! To build a foundation of cultural competency, spend time answering the following diagnostic questions. You can download a printable version with space to record your findings here. Questions to Help…

Short-term missionary, Hanna Smith travelled through Thailand to document the work of ministry leaders there.

Jan 29 2016

Hanna Smith traveled from New Orleans to Thailand to serve on a short-term mission trip. She used her gifts as a photographer to document workers in the field. Scroll through to catch a glimpse of missions in Thailand along with commentary from Hanna. Want to go and experience Thai culture for yourself? Join TEAM on a vision trip to Thailand and Southeast Asia this summer. Learn more about ministry opportunities and see firsthand the need for the gospel to be spread throughout this region.

Fundraising for your short-term missions trip can be difficult. Here are seven tips to make fundraising for mission trips a blessing instead of a burden.

Jan 25 2016

So, you’re ready to go on a short-term mission trip. Awesome! You’ve done your research, completed your application and gotten your immunizations. Now comes the best part: fundraising. For many, raising support is the toughest part of going on a mission trip. There are so many myths and falsehoods surrounding support raising, (Fundraising is asking for handouts. It will alienate my friends. It’s another step I have to do before I can start my real ministry.…) that it’s easy to lose sight of the blessing fundraising brings to all who are involved. You’re not just asking people to write a check,…

A short-term mission trip to Japan gave one couple vision for longer-term missionary service with a few plot twists along the way. Photo by TEAM

Jan 19 2016

It certainly wasn’t the first short-term trip I had taken. My husband and I knew before we were married that we wanted to be missionaries in Japan, as we had traveled there with our church and other organizations. Short-term ministry was nothing new to us, but on March 11, 2011, as we saw the tsunami hit Japan in one of the worst disasters the country ever experienced, we knew we had to go back and help. In our mind, we wanted to just go and aid the country we loved in their hour of need. What we didn’t know is that…

Short-term missions isn't one size fits all, but here are three lessons I learned on my short-term missions trip to Greece.

Jan 12 2016

Short-term missions isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different. Every person is different. But when I traveled to Greece this past summer, I learned three important lessons that likely apply to anyone considering being a short-term missionary. It will be harder than you expect. Yes, there will be the planes delayed, luggage lost and miscommunication, but these won’t make or break your trip. When I was called to step out of my comfort zone and go on this trip in the first place, I reached points where I doubted this was what I was supposed to be doing, and in those moments…

Tag - mission trip

What Happens on a Vision Trip?

How to Teach English Overseas and Be a Missionary Too

How to Write an Awesome Support Letter

The Essential Guide to Packing For Your Mission Trip

7 Things to Never Do on a Mission Trip [Video]

20 Questions to Help You Prepare for a Mission Trip

Photo Journal: Thailand

7 Fundraising Tips for Your Short-Term Mission Trip

A Short-Term Mission Trip to Japan Changed My Life

3 Things I Learned On My Short-Term Missions Trip