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Guide to prepare spiritually for a mission trip

Have you ever wondered how to prepare spiritually for a life-changing mission trip?

I have lived on the mission field for over 20 years. Received teams, sent teams, and led teams all over the world.

On all of these mission trips, our primary goal was to share the love of Christ with those who don’t know Jesus.

We did this in all ways, from street outreach, relief work, humanitarian aid, and music festivals.

As I gained more experience in missions, one of the most important things people did for themselves and the team was to be spiritually prepared for missions.

Be it short-term trips or long-term trips.

Missions are an unexpected adventure with God.

Each trip is unique; mission trips don’t follow a formula except to expect the unexpected.

Even on some of the most organized trips with the strictest of schedules, unexpected things and events happened.

Just like God gave us all different fingerprints, so does the experience on a mission trip.

And within that uniqueness, there are some things you can do to be prepared spiritually.

This means you will be mentally ready to face all the joys, challenges, and adventures you will have no matter what mission trip you are on.

From a career in missions and ministry, there are two things I think are the most important to do. One is prayer, and the other is learning about the culture to which you are going.

Pray for Protection

Praying daily for miracles, opportunities, and ways to show God’s love is great. But also remember to also pray for protection.

On one trip to Africa via bus, there was a huge brush fire on both sides of the road. Flames engulfed the van. But we passed without a problem.

Around 10 miles down the road, the van was out of gas. What we found out was there was a gas leak, and the gas had been dripping out.

Miraculously, nothing bad happened except being stranded by the road.

Never underestimate the power of praying for protection.

Be ready for cultural differences.

To be ready for cultural differences is a must for me on all mission trips, short or long-term mission trips.

I have been on trips where I was prepared culturally. And trips I had no idea what was expected of me culturally.

Here is my analogy of being prepared for a mission trip culturally.

Have you ever had a job where you knew what was expected of you?

In contrast to that, did you have a job where you never knew what was expected of you? And it was constantly changing?

Well, for me, this is the difference between knowing about the culture and being totally surprised.

One, you are prepared for, then the other, you have no idea and are not remotely prepared.

Here is something I didn’t know about a culture.

In Bulgaria, I was driving a van with the team through Sofia.

We got lost.

I kept pulling over and asking for directions.

Everyone I asked kept pointing in a straight manner, shaking their right hand. I assumed this meant straight.

Later, I found out it didn’t mean straight at all meant “I don’t know.”

It took us a very long time to find our way out of the city. A very long time.

If more teams from America were prepared for cultural differences, then the trip and impact could be better.

Here are some simple ways to find out about the culture.

Ask Google or Chatgtp for some basics of the culture you are going to.

If you know someone from there, ask them what some differences might be.

One easy thing to find out is whether they wear their shoes inside the house or office. This is a cultural difference that can have a big impact.

Find out some of the basics of the country. Don’t see it as wrong because it’s different see it as a new experience.

Dress with that culture in mind as well; this will help make a significant impact on your trip.

Stay calm and ready when unexpected things arise.

Unexpected things happen a lot on mission trips.

Being prepared spiritually means you take it as an opportunity to be ready for the unexpected.

Ways to stay calm.

Don’t try to be in control.
Start praying.
Trust God.
Think about the positives-don’t look at the problems
Don’t let your emotions control you.
Take deep breaths when needed.
Ask if you can help with anything that is needed.

Remember this verse when faced with challenges.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6 –

Fight the battle spiritually, not emotionally.

All mission trips have amazing ways of pulling at our emotions.

Travel, jet lag, culture shock, personality differences.

All of this can happen on the same day. And if you react emotionally to these challenges, it will hinder you and your impact on the trip.

So instead, be quick to react with the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Pray for them and remember them on your trip.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”

Galatians 3:22-23

Just remembering this verse can help you when you feel your emotions rising.

Scripture promise for the trip

Get the Bible out and find a promise in it for your trip.

Pray that scripture over your life, the trip, and those you meet.

Here are a few of my favorite scriptures for mission trips.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”

Isaiah 61:1

And

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 28:19

I really believe praying God’s Word and declaring it over your trip can make a big impact.

Here is a quick recap of how to prepare spiritually for your mission trip.