answers to all your questions about missions
Cru is an interdenominational Christian organization that promotes evangelism and discipleship in more than 190 countries around the world. The high school ministry of Cru helps students apply their faith to everyday life, build positive relationships with family and friends, and teaches students how to live out the gospel on their campus in order to reach their peers for Christ.
High school international mission trips offer unique opportunities for you to interact with other teens around the world, share with them how to know God personally through faith in Jesus, and teach your new international friends how to be positive influences for Christ in their own families, schools and communities.
There are at least three reasons to participate in a mission trip:
These questions will help you determine if you are ready to apply for a mission trip:
As a mission participant, you will join a team of other students and adult leaders who serve Cru/Campus Crusade for Christ high school movements in host countries. You will have opportunities to speak to groups of students about their personal faith in Jesus Christ, participate in activities where you can intentionally build relationships with young nationals with the hope of sharing the gospel, and have the opportunity to trust God in many new ways. Each mission is different, but your mission may include:
An average day will involve meeting new friends and sharing your faith. Evangelism is the mainstay of your mission trip and most activities involve sharing the gospel. During the course of the trip you will also have team meetings, team prayer, team socials, and outreaches and socials for the students you meet. A typical day might look like this:
Many mission trip participants say there is no typical day. Your days will vary according to your location and if you are part of an existing movement or helping to develop a new one. We will also make time during the trip to take in local culture, sightseeing, shopping, etc.
You will spend a lot of your time meeting new people, sharing your faith and doing basic follow-up with students. In most cases, ministry is very relational and intentional. You are making friends and talking about Jesus. You are building relationships and bringing people to a point of decision to follow Christ. After students trust Christ, you will help them get connected to a church or ministry so the local youth workers can continue to help them develop in their relationship with the Lord.
You will go with a team of other students and Cru staff members. Many times this team consists of students from a particular school or city who go on an international experience together. (In other words, recruit your friends to go with you.) Most teams also have students who join as individuals from all over the country. A typical team is 12-25 people with a Cru team leader, a co-team leader, and an operations team leader. Together they give leadership and direction to the whole team.
Depending on your location, your team will live in a college dorm, a mission guest house, a regular hotel or a youth hostel. Typically, public transportation is used to travel to schools, communities and outreach events in the mission country. Vehicles may be rented by staff for some in-country travel. Security in housing and safety in travel are important considerations as we choose our locations in a country. We work closely with local, in-country Cru staff members to determine housing and travel accommodations.
Your main focus is the mission God has called you to and your “down time” is limited. There is usually limited Internet services available in most locations. Phone cards enable you to communicate from some locations. Your mission leaders will inform you of the best options for your location. Team leaders will also communicate to others back home that the team has arrived safely in country as soon as possible after your arrival. There will be opportunities to call home, but because of time differences and tiredness it may not be as often as parents may like.
The application is entirely online. Click on the “Apply Now” button to begin the application process. The application process involves completing information regarding:
The application is entirely online. Click on the “Apply Now” button to begin the application process. The process involves completing information regarding:
After completing and submitting the application (with ALL references completed and returned), you should hear back from us within 1-2 weeks. In most cases, you will be notified by email or letter.
After we review your application, and if you are accepted, we will send you a “Go Pac.” This includes an acceptance letter and mission guidebook. The Go Pac enables you to actively pursue raising your funds and spiritually prepare yourself for the mission.
Before departing, you must read all the materials provided to you which will help you prepare spiritually, physically, mentally and practically for your international experience. If you live in a city where there is a Cru team, often there are meetings provided to help the group prepare. If you do not live in a Cru city, then most of the preparation depends on you to thoroughly utilize the training pack provided upon acceptance. You will also, depending on the mission, have a briefing with your team. One of the trip team leaders will serve as a coach for you during preparation and give you more specific information on what to prepare for your international trip.
The “Go Pac” includes sections designed to help equip you to be an effective ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). These sections cover topics more in-depth on:
The cost of a typical spring trip (usually 2 weeks) is $2000-$3500. The cost of a typical summer trip (usually 3-6 weeks) is $3500-$6000. Mission trip costs vary by length of trip and cost of travel. There are some miscellaneous expenses you need to consider that are not included in the trip cost. (See FAQ “What is covered in the amount I raise?”)
Most of your support will come from individuals you ask to be part of your support team. We call them “ministry partners.” Your “Go Pac” has detailed information on Ministry Partner Development. It covers things like: God’s promises, name storming, sample letters, sample thank you notes and frequently asked questions regarding raising funds. The “Go Pac” will be a great resource to help you gather a team of ministry partners. Be encouraged; every mission participant and staff member is responsible for raising his/her support and God has done it over and over again. He continues to prove Himself faithful as He provides for those He calls according to His purpose. You will also ask people to be Prayer Partners with you and your team.
Investing finances in a student participating in an international mission can be one of the wisest investments people can make – it will provide great returns spiritually and for all eternity. Not only will the student participating be forever changed, but also hundreds of lives can be affected as the gospel is shared. Ministry partners can truly make an eternal difference by helping to send those able to go and personally share Christ all over the world.
Your international trip cost covers:
Most locations have adequate, if not good, medical facilities. If an emergency or a serious issue arises, you will leave the country to get treatment in the best place possible. If it is an extreme emergency you will be airlifted out by our emergency evacuation service (a company called SOS).
If there should be political unrest in the country of choice, the mission may be reassigned to another destination. Great care is taken to evaluate potential risks, and to provide the greatest protection possible for you and your team members. If you choose to withdraw from the team, funds donated for the original mission destination can be directed to another student participating in a mission. Or, you may choose to go on another mission in the same year.
We carefully evaluate each location’s safety using several factors and informational sources:
We have seen thousands of people decide to follow Christ worldwide. In some cases, we have helped to start high school “win-build-send” movements in countries where none previously existed. In other countries, we provided the manpower and energy to expand existing high school movements.
Past participants have experienced tremendous spiritual and personal growth through their involvement in an international mission. Many have taken great steps of faith and seen lasting changes in their relationships and in their life choices. Many gain a deeper concern for other people, develop team-building skills, learn greater flexibility, and gain self-confidence. These personal benefits occur as God works through the team to bring the gospel to many who have never heard. The lives of those in other countries will be changed forever and many lasting friendships between students in the different cultures are formed. Lastly, many receive a greater vision for ministry at home or a lifelong call to serve globally.
Contact Cru’s high school international missions team at hsinternationalmissions@cru.org