See below for current team options for groups

Team trips are increasingly common and can be an ideal way to make an initial venture into understanding overseas mission, to see first-hand what God is doing elsewhere and the realities of working and living in another culture. Doing so with a group provides support for team members, especially for first-timers overseas and to locations vastly different from our own. Trip timeframes are also usually manageable around academic breaks and annual leave, with most lasting 2-3 weeks.  

Teams for churches/groups can be either church or agency facilitated and range from having very specific to very broad parameters. A church-facilitated team may visit church-supported mission workers, visit at the invitation of a local church and/or focus on exploring an area or project to connect with. An agency-facilitated team may focus more on the wider work of the organisation and arranged with the specific interest of the group in mind.

The purpose of any team could range to include evangelism to practical assistance or be focused purely on exposure to the work and culture through observation. However with the exception of a specific practical project, it is important for all team members to be clear that most team trips are not necessarily about 'doing', rather about observation and learning. In a few short weeks you cannot offer much to those on the ground simply because you may not have the language to communicate clearly and you're transient (in and out). Mission workers have been there longer, have created relationships, and understand culture and customs in way that cannot be grasped in two weeks. Your presence and impact will simply be touching the surface and you will not 'save the world' in this time! Understanding this going in helps minimise wrong expectations and ensures the trip is more effective for all involved. Remember your actions as a team will also affect long termers that remain behind well after you've gone.

Whatever the purpose, the experience of two-three weeks with a group of others in another country observing God at work, can be transformative. The impact on a church, post trip, can be immense as the interest for what God is doing elsewhere in the world is stirred up. Individuals return home having re-examined their own priorities, perceptions and understandings of the realities of others have been permanently changed and some deeper reflection and exploration about longer term service to God and others has been initiated and developed.

Next steps?

TAILOR-MAKE A TRIP: If you are part of a church or group that is keen to bring a bunch of people together, there are a number of aspects to think about. Click here for information on planning a team trip.

Many agencies are more than happy to tailor-make a trip that works for your group. If you have a particular location in mind but need some assistance on identifying the best agency for this region and your intended trip purpose, please contact MISSION WORLD.

PRE-EXISITING TEAM OPTIONS FOR GROUPS:

1) Pacific DO Teams: for Baptist Church youth groups to the Pacific. Two weeks in the July school holidays. A partnership between MISSION WORLD and Baptist Youth Ministries. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for further details.

2) Mission Adventures - Bali, Thailand, Vanuatu, Cambodia, Fiji. Two weeks in the school holidays throughout each year. 

SHORT TERM TEAMS NEEDED

1) East Asia teams: small teams for 1-2 weeks at most times of the year (subject to approval by the field personnel) to assist in outreach and the distribution of printed materials. For further information contact Rachel via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 09 526 8446.

Individuals: If you are thinking about joining in with a pre-existing team click here for information on this and a list of upcoming agency-facilitated trips that may appeal.

The Short Termers website is also a great source of information on teams.

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