Fresh Ideas … by Diana Davis

Learning to be missions-minded? Your church will never be the same! Here are some mission trip planning ideas:

Diana Davis

Partner with International Mission Board missionaries. They know the culture and people, they need your assistance and will continue the work after you leave. Your mission trip may involve construction, street drama, sports, conferences, prayer-walking, or another ministry.

Prepare well. Regular team meetings are essential for spiritual preparation, training, planning and unity.

Share research. Assign team members a research topic, such as local weather, religions or cross-cultural communication.

Pray. Plan a weekly prayer day for team members. Ask church members to commit to pray on that day.

Take photos. Each team member can take a small photo book of family, pets, church, job, etc., to open conversations.

Send web updates. Download digital photos often so friends at home can experience missions with your team.

Live from Mexico. Set up a live audio or video chat during a service. Don’t have equipment? Set a cell phone on “speaker” and hold it up to a microphone.

Debrief party. Afterward, plan a team gathering. Re-tell stories. Compile photos on a DVD. Pray that God will continue to bless the mission field.