Imagine mission trips for young adults where you can meet followers of Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism all within 48 hours. It’s not just a dream—it happens all the time on our missions trips!
Connor* is a campus ministry leader in the Midwest. He leads groups of young adults on 1 week mission trips to New York City to “get outside their bubble.” He knows they’ll not only learn to talk to people from different cultures, but also how to start spiritual conversations that lead to Gospel sharing. It’s the exact evangelism training he wants for his young adults to put into practice.
Over ⅓ of NYC’s population originally came from outside the US.¹ This incredible diversity gives young people the opportunity to do cross cultural outreach!
Whether you lead a college group, young adult ministry, or campus outreach, your people will learn:
- Why mission trips for young adults matter
- What you can expect on short term mission trips
- How mission trips can be life changing for young adults
First, let’s see what’s trending with short term mission trips. Spoiler: High school youth groups and college students aren’t the only ones going!
Why Evangelism Mission Trips for Young Adults?
While some mission trips are focused on service with work projects, here at International Project, our mission trips empower you with evangelism training and hands on street outreach every day.
You will learn how to find spiritually curious people and engage them in Gospel conversations.
Our goal is to plant churches among the world’s least reached peoples. When you come on a mission trip, you’ll be a part of outreach that helps us find “people of peace” open to learning more about God. Then, our long term missionaries follow up their discipleship with the Discovery Bible Study method.
You’ll get to take our innovative evangelism strategies home to your own context, and your people will be empowered to share the Gospel with confidence.
Read more about Connor’s mission trip doing cross cultural evangelism in New York City!
Connor’s Experience in NYC
When Ahmed* met Connor on the street in New York, he was curious to know why Connor and his team were out talking with people.
Connor didn’t keep it a secret—he openly shared his team’s intention to engage in spiritual conversations. “We know the love of Jesus and we want to serve, welcome, and love people from all over the world.”
That answer definitely sparked Ahmed’s curiosity! He had his own questions for Connor.
“So, Christians are the people that do all the drinking, smoking, drugs, all that?” Ahmed asked him.
Though surprised by Ahmed’s remark, Connor recognized that some worldviews falsely equate Christianity with American culture.
“Well, I’m a follower of Jesus,” Connor said thoughtfully.
“What’s the difference?” Ahmed asked.
“Let’s read the Bible and see what an actual follower of Jesus is,” Connor suggested. Ahmed agreed!
Connor and Ahmed explored the Bible together and Connor was able to share the Gospel with him!
In Connor’s experience, when young adults get out of their comfort zone on short term mission trips, they come away changed. And the research says so too!
The Value of Mission Trips for Young Adults
In a survey of adults in America who’ve gone on mission trips, the Barna Group found that “most of the people who embark on [short term mission trip opportunities] describe the trips as life changing.”²
So, what makes a mission trip for young adults so transformational?
Here are some valuable things you can take away from your mission trip with International Project:
- Hands on evangelism experience – Our trips give you the chance to meet new people and practice sharing the Gospel with different cultures.
- Spiritual formation – Short term missions can help you grow in your own discipleship as you learn to listen and obey the Holy Spirit.
- Expanded perspective – Interacting with diverse people can help you understand God’s love for everyone and develop a heart to reach the nations.
Those are just a few ways a mission trip for young adults can be life changing!
Now, let’s learn more about what your trip could look like—and why you might not need to travel far to get there.
Missions for Young Adults in the USA
You don’t have to go to Belize, Costa Rica, or a Caribbean island to experience new people and different cultures. When it comes to short term mission trips, there are so many opportunities right here in America!
In New York City, you can meet diaspora people who’ve migrated to the USA from:
- Guatemala
- Tanzania
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- The Philippines
- Romania
- The Dominican Republic
- Zambia
- The Middle East
- East Asia
- And more!
Even on a NYC mission trip, Connor says, members of his teams are amazed by the diversity. Because of migration, it’s easy for mission trip team members in America to interact with people who represent the world’s major religions.
This cultural diversity goes to show that you don’t need a passport to go on a mission trip for young adults. Consider the benefits of a short term mission opportunities in the USA!
With a US based mission trip, you don’t have to worry about:
- Obtaining foreign travel insurance
- Applying for international visas
- Fundraising for costly airfare to travel overseas
Related: Mission Trip Fundraising Ideas
And guess what? According to that same study we mentioned above, “People who took domestic service trips reported the same degree of life changing experiences as did those traveling abroad.”³
What kind of life changing experiences? Keep reading to find out!
What to Expect on Mission Trips for Young Adults
At International Project, we offer Seed Week mission trips, 1 week opportunities for evangelism and outreach that run year round in New York City.
During these mission trips for young adults, you will:
- Meet people from unreached nations
- Practice initiating spiritual conversations
- Help long term missionaries make lasting connections
You can sign up to serve with your campus ministry, young adult group, or even on your own! Our 1 week trip participants come from across the USA with a variety of age groups.
On mission trips for young adults, you can see firsthand what missionaries do when you engage in outreach alongside long term missionaries and bi vocational missionaries.
And that’s also a big reason why Connor loves short term mission trips—they’re a great way to discern if God is calling you to a missionary job!
From his experience working in missions, Connor has witnessed that many long term missionaries on the field started their missions journey by going on a short term mission trip!
What might God might have in store for your mission trip? You don’t need to wait to find out!
Whether you’re looking for summer mission trips or another time that fits well with your work schedule, you can find Christian mission trips for young adults that fit your schedule.
Your Trip Starts Here!
Mission trips for young adults can have a profound impact on unreached people—and on you!
When young adults share Jesus on a mission trip, Connor says it “puts the nations in their hearts.”
Ready to go on your 1 week mission trip for young adults?
Fill out the form below to connect with our team or see more information like upcoming trip dates, FAQs, and more about our Mission Trips.
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*Names changed for privacy
Sources
¹https://www.nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/MOIA-2024-Annual-Report_4.4.25.pdf
²https://www.barna.com/research/despite-benefits-few-americans-have-experienced-short-term-mission-trips/
³ibid
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