And we surely don’t want our students to undo the work of a long-term missionary or the local church. We don’t want our trips to invade existing systems and structures, take away local jobs, or rob people of their dignity. Most of us would agree that mission trips for teens have the potential to transform our youth ministries, but we must be careful that these trips aren’t destructive to the communities we serve in. Will They Prioritize Protecting the Local Community? Talk with other youth workers who have used each organization and ask if, in their experience, the partner organization delivered on their promises. In your search, look at an organization’s shared values or the outcomes that they promise from their trip experiences. Whatever your focus, make sure your goals line up with the expressed goals of your partner organization. Or maybe you’re intent on developing student leaders in your ministry. Perhaps you’re looking to expand your students’ cultural awareness.
As you look at potential organizations, make sure you know the purpose for the trip and how it fits in your church’s strategy for youth ministry. So selecting the right partner organization is very important.
The best mission trips for teens are the ones that help you reach your goals for your youth group. “It’s not enough to pick mission trips for teens based on the price tag or the destination you’ve got to assess potential ministry partners based on what they value and how well they avoid causing harm to the local community.” Do Your Values Match? It’s not enough to pick mission trips for teens based on the price tag or the destination you’ve got to assess potential ministry partners based on what they value and how well they avoid causing harm to the local community. You need need an affordable trip that matches your values and prioritizes protecting the local community. Here’s our take on why the right partner organization makes all the difference and our recommendations for the Top 5 Organizations for teen mission trips.ĭownload our “Find the Right Trip Assessment” at the Bottom of This Page Finding the Right Partner Organization With so many great and unique organizations to research and choose from, finding the right trip can easily become an overwhelming, high-pressure experience. Mission Trips for Teens (Top 5 Organizations)Ĭhoosing mission trips for teens can be a daunting task.