Mission Trip Volunteers You Need (cont.)
4. The College Student
Pouring into a younger generation of leaders is vital. And bringing them along on a mission trip is a phenomenal way to let them see “behind the veil” of what it takes to do ministry in the trenches. Likely, this will be a former teen from your ministry. I recommend a three-year gap between senior year of high school and joining the volunteer team. It lets kids mature a little and helps your current teens recognize the age gap.
Most college students I’ve invited to help me lead mission trips have ended up in the mission field or serving in youth ministry down the line. All of them have said, “Wow, I had no idea how much work went into all this.”
5. The Deacon/Elder/Board Member
Has anyone in your church’s leadership ever asked you what you do all day? Did you ever feel compelled to print out your calendar to justify your hours to the church secretary? Do people assume that youth ministry trips are vacation time for you? Then take someone from your church leadership team on the next mission trip. It’ll never happen again!
Nothing feels better than watching a church leader rise to your defense when someone questions your work ethic or your ministry’s “degree of difficulty.” If they’ve seen it, they believe it. And they won’t mind telling others about it, packing the weight of their political “clout” when they do.
While you’re at it, invite your senior pastor or leader. It’s never a bad idea for them to see you (and your team…and your teens) in action!
This article about mission trip volunteers was originally published on YouthMinistry.com, © Group Publishing, Inc.
