Going on a family mission trip may be one of the best decisions you could make for your family. Getting out of the house and out of your comfort zones will teach you to depend on God and to trust each other in deeper ways. I may be a little biased, but I highly recommend that more families go on mission trips together.
It’s always worked for the Barnes family.
I’ve taken my family on mission trips for most of their lives. Karen and I began our marriage in the mission field. Once we started having kids, we wanted to expose them to other cultures and the importance of radically depending on God. One summer, I took my kids to Peru to plant a church. One Thanksgiving, we served the poor of Appalachia.
Our good friends, Mark and Katherine Almand took their family on a month-long mission trip, and it had a wonderful impact on them.
Going on a family mission trip may be one of the best things you can do to disciple your kids and help your family grow spiritually. I raised my kids on morning devotions and the importance of personal quiet times, but without giving them a practical outlet to live out their faith, all that studying and teaching can fall on deaf ears.
Don’t get me wrong – families need to study the Bible and pray around the kitchen table, but they also need to go do practical ministry together. That may mean feeding the homeless at the local park, praying for your neighbors, or going on a family mission trip.
In my experience, making intentional decisions like going on mission trips is just a way to make room in your schedule for God to move.
If you want to know more about family mission trips, check out how we do family missions at AIM or a list of upcoming trips for families.
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
That’s how my out of control teenager found Jesus! He didn’t want to go but on the first day gave his Abercrombie flip flops to a boy with no shoes. One the third day he asked if he could stay a little longer. He stayed all summer! He now serves the Lord in full time ministry. Today people comment on how blessed I am to have the kids that I have. Though I gave them life I owe their conversion to the short time mission experiences!!
great story, tami!
Thanks for the confirmation blog. That’s one of the reasons we’re taking the kids to Swazi this summer. We talked about just my wife and I going, but the kids would have none of that! I’m looking forward to not only seeing my own eyes opened, but my kids seeing what is the reality of the rest of the world. I would also agree that it’s very important to start at home. My kids loved going down to the local mission and helping to sort clothes.
I have three childrenand we all have a strong desire to go on a mission,but we don’t have the fund’s. How does everyone afford it? I would love to serve and have my life enriched, while changing the lives of my children.
Hi Lynette, great question! It is hard enough to fund your own mission trip, and even harder if you are looking to have your family join in the experience.
I see you left this comment in 09′, but I’ll still make a suggestion just in case you are still considering a mission trip or someone else viewing this post can benefit.
Have you heard of crowdfunding? With crowdfunding, you can ask your family, friends, and even complete strangers for small donations to fund you need. Think of it this way… if you can get 25 of your family and friends to donate $40, that is $1000 towards your mission trip expenses.
If you would like free step-by-step information, check out http://www.Charisity.com.