My wife and I have three children. Two teenagers, one aspiring. Here’s a recent conversation with our oldest: when you’re young, you have no money but lots of time. When you’re 40 something (like us), you still have no money but also no time. Some day, we hope to have some money, and more time. Aren’t you glad you’re still a dependent? And so life goes. Perhaps you can relate.
That’s the reality for most families in most churches. They’re high on love and care, but low on time and money. And that translates into missional capacity. So when it comes to taking a legit multi-day, traveling mission trip, things are tight. Through the years I’ve learned a few strategic ways to help folks get going.
- Provide financial assistance.
Take hurdles out of the way, like money. Budget for stipends and call people to apply. Swap the pancake fundraisers with a vision for allocated funds. Then, teach a course, read a book, assign some work, and in the end, grant financial help. Preparing for a mission trip can be a means for discipleship. So put some fruit at the end of the limb. - Schedule long weekend trips.
Most people don’t have much vacation time. But they do have two days off for every five. Leverage it. Ask for a day of their vacation. Leave late Thursday, come back Sunday. Even consider a long one-day trip. Yes, it will be fast-paced with low sleep, but it’ll be high reward. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in just a few well planned days. You get to pack light, too! - Schedule whole-family opportunities.
Separate mom from dad, kids from parents, and things get choppy. The Great Commission doesn’t require it. Neither should we. Keep the family intact. Kids can leverage their lives just as well as mom and dad. Assign a task to every member. Families are more apt to travel and serve if they can do so together. Put it on the calendar early, and call families to join. - Recruit specialized skill sets.
There are some amazing people in our churches. Call on people to use their niche abilities to advance the gospel. Sometimes people just need to feel needed before they’ll consider. “Who, me?” They ask. “Yes you. And here’s why.” Show the intersection between their unique ability and the missional need. Hand-pick the essential core, then build out the team. Create momentum and excitement with like-mindedness. They may just go without you! - Make things easy, really.
Families are busy. And they are stressed. Missions shouldn’t add to it. As a leader, do the hard work to simplify the trip. Don’t schedule an itinerary in the likes of a Rubik’s Cube. Have partners that are accessible. Know where you’ll eat and stay. Give people details early on. Communicate clearly. Arrange safe, reliable transportation. Pastor, you want a good debrief and a chance for a second trip. - Diversify partnerships
We must reach UPG’s. The gospel demands that we go to hard to reach places. There will be partners, missions and trips that are difficult to bear. But not every partner needs to require a helicopter. Have some trips for first-timers, students, and senior adults. Consider the language, cuisine, transportation, and bathroom accessibility. Not everybody is a backpacker. - Utilize local landscapes.
Cultivate a heart for missions in your own community. Begin in your own backyard. Take a local vision trip on a Saturday. Ask people to see with God’s eyes. Most people drive their roads and shop their stores with little mind for mission. Seek to change their perspective. Once God captures their hearts for neighbors in need, they’ll begin thinking about the nations.
These are but a few ideas to get people moving in the right direction. But we must remember, the Lord does the work. A true mission trip is a gospel labor. It is a spiritual endeavor. It is not a baptized vacation, nor poverty tourism. Rather it is an opportunity to leverage a life for kingdom impact. The Lord must move people off the fence and into the field.
Pastor, celebrate small wins. Stay encouraged. As you’ve read this post, continue to pray for the Lord to stir the hearts of your people. Yes, put forth an example, cast compelling vision, speak openly about partnerships, go on trips yourself. Do your work as a leader. Then ask the Lord to do his.
Christ-Centered Exposition Workshop: March 16, 2026
Register today for Christ-Centered Exposition — a workshop for pastors and ministry leaders to be equipped to teach the Bible faithfully. This year's workshop will focus on the book of Matthew and feature sessions by Drs. Danny Akin, Charles Quarles, and David Platt.
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