Identify the general location of your mission trip. Ask yourself questions about what experiences you want to have and why you're going on a mission trip. For example, do you want to go with others who already know what to expect on a mission trip or are you introducing people to missions? Think about the benefits of going on a mission trip in your home country versus traveling to a foreign country. Traveling to a different country may present language and ethnic barriers while staying in your home country to go on a mission trip may be appropriate if this is your first trip since it might be less stressful.
Research mission agencies and select one that matches with your goals, beliefs and mission destination. Ask church or religious leaders for suggestions or ideas of appropriate mission agencies with which to team up. Look in missionary directories or websites, such as MissionaryResource.org, Adventures in Missions, MissionFinder.org or Urbana's MSearch website. Read the descriptions of mission agencies to determine the type of work they offer, the people they serve and their purpose. Call the contact listed for the mission agency, introduce yourself and ask questions about the organization.
Set the date and times for the mission trip. Speak with the mission agency director or manager and ask about the average length of time that mission groups stay. Ask which months the mission works with the most groups and which months the mission trip area sees inclement or good weather conditions. Ask other important questions related to the trip, such as if the mission agency offers training, appropriate budgets for the trip and what services the agency offers such as housing and food.
Create a budget for the mission trip. Research costs for airfare, plane or train rides and automobile rentals. Add the cost of housing and food to the budget if these are not covered. Research short-term individual or group health insurance costs if you need coverage for overseas or domestic travels.
Promote the mission trip and get other people interested. Submit announcements to the church or religious organization to which you belong. Post fliers in schools or colleges, depending on the type of participants you want to attract. Hold an initial meeting with interested mission-goers to outline the details of the trip, describe the experience, gather your team list. Tell everyone whether a passport is needed.
Raise funds with mission trip participants. Tell participants the dollar amount that each one must raise in order to meet the financial budget for the trip. Set dates, times and deadlines for bake sales, individual candy bar or door-to-door sales, potluck dinners, group car washes and other team fundraising efforts.
Organize the logistical issues of the trip. Ask responsible adults to join your mission trip if you need additional chaperones for student or minor groups. Give parental consent forms to minors to be completed and signed by parents. Hold a meeting with students' parents to discuss mission trip arrangements and answer questions. Gather necessary supplies, such as first aid equipment. Give contact numbers to people, family and leaders back home so that you can be reached during the mission trip.
Gather participants for additional meetings. Establish a meeting time and place for travel departure. Give participants a suggested packing list appropriate for the trip. Discuss last-minute instructions, such as explaining customs procedures if traveling internationally, food and meals during travel and any other important issues.
Meet at the appropriate place and time that you set for the mission trip send-off. Count the participants to make sure everyone is present.
