Students process what they’re learning through experience. That’s why schools take field trips to understand where strawberries come from, how corn is grown, or how the solar system works. Missions trips are meant to act in much of the same way but providing the experience that helps to open their eyes to the mind and heart of Jesus. But as a leader, how do you choose the right opportunity for your ministry? Here are four tips you’ll need to evaluate missions opportunities:
1. Is this accessible?
Can your ministry actually do this? There’s no need to plan a few-thousand-dollar-a-person missions trip if you can teach children through a more accessible tool.
2. Is this meaningful to them?
You don’t want to waste time or resources. Ask if this opportunity will actually mean something to the children or youth you serve. What do they need? Is there something that will make them curious? What have they expressed concern about?
3. Is this appropriate or just cool?
Opportunities for children and youth must be developmentally appropriate for their world. There are plenty of hurting places in the world, but don’t feel like you have to conquer them all. For younger children, engage in opportunities characterized by felt needs (hunger, shelter, etc.). For older students, consider engaging more complex opportunities (human slavery, trafficking, genocide).
4. Is this vision-casting?
Give kids a vision for what they’re capable of when they’re young. It can influence how they view what they’re capable of for the rest of their lives. If you can create “small wins” in their developmental years, the idea God can use them for the rest of their lives is easily within reach.
How about you?
How do you decide on what opportunities to pursue?
What have been your best?
