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Volunteer Toolkit

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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

MISSION TRIP RESOURCES

Whether you’re getting ready for your first mission trip, or you’ve participated in many trips, it’s important to be prepared. This toolbox of mission trip resources will help you get ready for your trip. Although you aren’t required to use them, we strongly encourage you to look through these resources. You might not find answers to all your mission trip questions, but you’ll probably find answers to a lot of them.

Do keep in mind that not every trip is the same. Some resources may not apply to the trip you’re taking. Please use the information the toolbox provides in the way that works best for your ministry.

Download the complete toolkit.

Or view the resources individually:

Pre-Trip Team Meetings

 Pre-trip meetings are crucial to preparing for a mission trip. These meetings will provide important information about your trip. 
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Team Building

Team building helps the group going on your mission trip to become a team. This is important because successful mission trips start with groups that not only know what they’re working toward, but how to work together to reach it. 
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Domestic Travel Guidelines

 Keep these guidelines in mind for a safe mission trip within the United States or Canada. 
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International Travel Guidelines

 Keep these suggestions in mind for a safe mission trip outside the United States or Canada. 
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Making a Budget

 Come up with a budget as early in the planning process as you can. 
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Fundraising for your Trip

 Many people find fundraising intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! There are so many creative and easy ways to raise money for your mission trip. 
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How To Write A Fundraising Letter

 Create a list of potential contacts. Your list should include family, friends, family friends, school staff, coworkers, teammates, doctors, dentists, neighbors, coaches, church members—just about anyone you would send a Christmas card.
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Sample Fundraising Letter

 Dear [insert name here],
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Keeping Track of Donations

 Keeping track of the donations your team receives to support your trip is important. 
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Church Participation

 Most of the people at your church won’t be joining you on your trip, but many of them would love to be part of your service in other ways. 
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Cultural Awareness

 Whether you’re going to another country or another cultural context within North America, you will encounter some cultural differences. Adjusting to these differences can be hard. It might be tempting to reject or judge parts of a different culture because you aren’t used to them or they make you feel uncomfortable. But if you’re prepared to engage cross-culturally—to make space for differences and the people who see them as normal—experiencing another culture is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow! 
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Spiritual Preparation

 Your mission trip will be a spiritual experience—a time to see God, feel God, and get to know God better. Be open to everything that God has in mind for you and the people you are serving. 
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Commissioning Litany

 There are different gifts, but the same Spirit that gives them. There are different ways of serving God, but the same Lord is served. Each one of us is given gifts by the Spirit to use for the common good. Together we are the body of Christ, and individually we are members of that body.
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Bible Study Suggestions

 Your mission trip experience will be much richer if you are intentional about the spiritual dimensions of your journey. You can weave spiritual reflection into your days through group and personal devotion time. 
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Devotions for Short-term Missions

 How do you carry the closeness you feel to God during your mission trip back home with you?
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Debriefing Guide

 Debriefing is a time of reflection. It is important to debrief during your trip, at the end of your trip, and once you are back home. 
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Volunteers: Plan Your Trip

Volunteers: Opportunities