Launch Point offers unique mission trips for youth groups of all ages. Designed to help teens explore their gifts and use them to glorify God, we offer trips for everyone, whether you prefer to serve your local community or abroad. On these trips, young missionaries end up working alongside medical professionals in clinics, investing in the lives of children or those their own age through sports, helping in construction projects, and more. They experience things that will change them forever and open their eyes to the needs of others around the world.

ALL ABOUT YOUTH & TEEN MISSION TRIPS

Youth mission trips equip travelers with faith-based travel and opportunities for young people who want to learn more about the world and their place in it. These trips emphasize character and spiritual growth in addition to helping the host mission in the field with work and evangelism. Teenage mission trips often last between 6 and 8 weeks, while the duration varies slightly depending on the area. Often, youth mission trip participants stay in host homes or at a Mission base and help with projects such as evangelism and work. Evangelism can include activities like singing, drama, puppets and sermons/testimonies, while the work projects often include tradework like masonry, carpentry, landscaping, painting, and plumbing. Regardless of how they serve, teens come back with stories and experiences they wouldn’t have otherwise.

THE SPIRITUAL BENEFITS OF YOUTH MISSION TRIPS

One of the main reasons why youth mission trips influence teens comes from the spiritual benefits they offer. Youth who go on mission trips have the opportunity to grow in their faith in a number of ways. First, they see how God is working in other parts of the world personally. Second, they get to meet other Christians from different cultures and learn about their faith and traditions. Most importantly, they share their own faith with others and get to be witnesses for Christ.

In addition to spiritual benefits, youth-focused mission trips offer the opportunities for young believers to develop their character. The teens who go on mission trips often face challenges in ways that they never would at home. Missions force them to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and face challenges head-on. As a result, they often come back from their trip with a greater sense of self-confidence and maturity. They learn that they can handle more than they ever thought possible and discover their aptitude for making a difference in the world.

HOW TO EMPOWER AND ENCOURAGE TEEN BEFORE A MISSION TRIP

Youth mission trips provide teens with an excellent way to empower and encourage other young people. Through these trips, teens develop leadership skills, learn about other cultures, and gain a greater understanding of their own faith. By preparing youth before they embark on a mission trip, parents and church leaders help ensure that the experience will bring about positive and transformative results.

When preparing youth for mission trips, help them to set reasonable and personal goals, teach them about the culture they will be visiting, and provide them with opportunities for fundraising. Empowering them to make their own decisions and take control of their learning provides them with lifelong benefits. Young missionaries should also be given the chance to share their concerns and questions with adults before the trip. By taking these steps, parents and church leaders can help youth find a rich and rewarding experience on their mission trip, which may end up being a personal calling for them!

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MISSION TRIP

Many factors exist when considering locations a teen could go on a mission trip. Here’s a quick list of questions to help you figure out “WHERE” you want to go and “WHAT” you want to experience on your mission trip:

• How far do you want to travel? – Decide if you want to stay close to home or if you’re open to going somewhere further away. An equally important decision lies in whether you want to serve in an urban area or a rural one. Both situations can be overwhelming for teens who aren’t familiar with opposing lifestyles, but they could also be a breath of fresh air and provide a new viewpoint on the world.
• What type of service do you want to do? Missionary work includes many different types of services youth can participate in on a trip. Some examples include working alongside other adult missionaries with children, the elderly, the sick, or the poor. You can also do construction, environmental work, or provide people with relief from disasters that ravaged an area.
• Are you looking for a specific type of learning experience? Choosing a trip that will fit your skills and interests, should take precedence when deciding where to serve. Teens may feel callings in relational ministry, to help work projects, or even a mix of both. Whatever your interests and skills may be, a mission trip exists that will put your faith and skills to the test!
• How much are you willing to “rough it”? One important point to research when choosing your destination lies within the housing opportunities available during your stay. Are you willing to sleep in a dorm-style room with other participants? Would you be comfortable with basic amenities? Keep in mind that mission trips often serve developing countries, so you will need to be prepared for a different standard of living.

WHY MISSION TRIPS ARE IMPORTANT FOR YOUR TEEN

Mission trips equip teens with opportunities to learn about other cultures and gain a broader perspective of the world. They can also provide great chances for personal growth and development. Here are just a few reasons why mission trips are important for your teen:

• Develop a Global Perspective
  Mission trips help teens see beyond their own culture and worldview. They learn about the challenges and struggles that people in other parts of the world face on a daily basis. This gives them chances to develop empathy and compassion for others.

• Develop Leadership Skills
  Mission trips provide an excellent opportunity for teens to step outside their comfort zones and develop leadership skills. Teens will have to work together with other members of their team to accomplish common goals. Being part of the body of Christ makes more sense when you see the work being done in person.

• Grow Spiritually
  Mission trips can be a transformative experience that helps teens grow spiritually. They often find opportunities to share their faith with others and see firsthand how God is working in the lives of people in other cultures. These experiences deepen their faith and aid them in developing a stronger relationship with God.

• Foster Independence
  For many teenagers, a mission trip will be their first time away from home for an extended period of time. This excellent opportunity serves as a way for your teen to learn how to take care of themselves and manage their time wisely, which will be extremely helpful when they head off to college or pursue other opportunities past highschool.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUTH/TEEN BEFORE MISSION TRIPS

Youth mission trips help young people learn more about themselves and the world around them. They can also be a lot of fun! But before you go, consider a few things you need to do to make the trip successful. We’ll give you some tips on how to prepare your youth for their next mission trip and provide some resources that will help them get ready mentally and spiritually for the journey ahead:

• Physically – Get outside, and get in shape! Depending on where you go and what you do, you may walk or even hike a lot. Build up your endurance so that you can fully enjoy your trip and not get tired easily. Not every location requires endurance, but trips are more fun when you get to participate in everything you want to do.
• Spiritually – Prepare yourself spiritually for a mission trip. Spend time in prayer, and read about the country or region you will be visiting. Talk to your Youth Pastor or other church leaders about your upcoming trip to gain insights and tips from people who walked similar paths.
• Experientially – You can experience-prepare for your upcoming mission trip in a variety of ways: getting engaged in your church’s missions ministry, performing community service throughout the school year, or helping locally in an underprivileged area all provide excellent experiences that will mimic the ones you take part in on your trip!
• Practically – Creating a packing list well in advance of the trip makes the last few days of preparing exponentially easier. The list should include everything from essential items and toiletries to non-essentials like helpful apps or devices to make your experience God promises it to be.

WHY LAUNCH POINT?

Create connections with people and cultures in unique and authentic ways! You’ll see the world in a whole new light and leave behind a lasting impact on the communities you serve.

When you go on a mission trip with Launch Point, not only are you making a difference in the world, but you’re also building lifelong friendships and discovering the inner potential God calls you to pursue. As Christians, we believe that when we serve others, we all benefit. Join us on this journey of service and see for yourself how life-changing it can be.

Learn more about our mission opportunities here!