Short-Term Missions
Serge’s short-term mission teams serve for 1-2 weeks in a wide variety of locations around the world.
Throughout the year, missionaries request assistance from individuals and teams to serve with them in their local communities. These short-term mission trips serve as cultural exchanges, widen global perspectives, and give tangible help to the people in communities where Serge works.
Types of team service include:
- Construction
- English language camps and VBS clubs
- Teaching/discipling of pastors and church leaders
- Sports camps
- Prayer weeks
Why Go Short-Term with Serge?
Meaningful Projects
Support Long-Term Work
We want your trip to be beneficial as possible for all involved — your short-term team, your sending church, and your missionary and international partners. Every team we send participates in important, helpful work that is more than something we could accomplish through financial resources alone.
Community
Development
Frequently, short-term teams can be ineffective, or at worst harmful, to local communities and the materially poor. We see Short-Term teams as more than just an opportunity for spiritual tourism – but avenues that God uses to create lasting change in the lives of team members and the communities they serve.
Renewed Vision for
Missional Living
The effectiveness of a short-term team expands far beyond the scope of the weeks spent overseas. Through serving cross-culturally, you can joyfully re-encounter your own need for the gospel and bring renewed vision and excitement back to local mission engagement.
2021 Short-Term Trips
COVID-19 UPDATE:
As an organization centered around a calling to lay down our lives, we are dedicated to pursuing opportunities to mobilize the next generation into missions. Within the context of the 2020 global pandemic, that looks like moving forward with 2021 short-term trips while continuing to wisely monitor the progression and impact of COVID-19 on international travel.
We’re faithfully pursuing prayer and seeking input from a gathered team of professionals qualified to speak into decisions surrounding the pandemic; we also believe the Kingdom of God is still being built and he is actively calling people to join him in the work he’s doing worldwide.
Thank you for engaging this tension with us.
Europe
Cork and Dublin, Ireland
Irish Prayer Summit
Due to COVID-19, this trip has been canceled for 2021.
We invite you to come meet these Irish Church leaders and spend time praying with them for the broadening and deepening of the church in Ireland. Serge staff have walked alongside Irish church leaders for more than 25 years. See what God is doing in and through the Irish church as you intercede and encourage.
Max team size: 20 (Post-college age +)
Approx. trip cost: $1339 + airfare.
Barcelona, Spain
Ministry Apartment Renovation
Dates: Sept 11 – 25, 2021 (Depart Sept 10)
Serge is sending an STT to Barcelona to renovate an apartment owned by the denomination where our missionaries are serving, to help individuals and families at risk of social exclusion largely due to the recent economic fallout caused by Covid. A long recovery is foreseen in Spain and the growing social and economic needs are vast. Along with providing a very low-cost living space for 12-24 months, Serge missionaries will offer financial counseling and spiritual care to those God leads us to help.
Max team size: 13 people/team
Who: Adults with some experience in any aspect of building (electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring, carpentry, etc).
Approx. trip cost: $1,400 + airfare.
Malaga, Spain
Spain Sonship Retreat
Due to COVID-19, this trip has been canceled for 2021.
The Malaga team is hosting a sonship week for national leaders and their families. It will be a time of renewal and refreshment in the gospel. Team members will run a kids’ and teen gospel-centered program, as well as some activities for them.
Max team size: 8 people
Who: Adults and college age with a passion to work with children and teenagers. No Spanish necessary, but it would be an asset.
Approx. trip cost: $685 + airfare.
London, UK
Spring Break Trip
Due to COVID-19, this trip has been canceled for 2021.
This trip is for university-aged students on spring break wishing to engage the nations living in London with the gospel of Jesus. What team members will get to do: evangelize (training included), learn about world religions and cultures, and learn about God’s missionary purposes.
Max team size: 50
Approx. trip cost: $750 + airfare.
London, UK
LEAP Week 2021
Due to COVID-19, this trip has been canceled for 2021.
LEAP is a time to leap out of your comfort zone and into a different world. You will partner with Serge’s church-planting work in London’s South Asian communities and engage in prayer and ministry to London’s Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs.
Max team size: 90 (college-age and above)
Who: Adults, college age, mature high school juniors/seniors
Approx. trip cost: $925 + airfare.
London, UK
LEAP Week 2022
Dates: July 4 – 11, 2022 (NEXT SUMMER)
LEAP is a time to leap out of your comfort zone and into a different world. You will partner with Serge’s church-planting work in London’s South Asian communities and engage in prayer and ministry to London’s Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs.
As you work alongside other LEAP team members, you will build new relationships and have opportunities to witness (meeting with people on the street and in door-to-door evangelism).
Max team size: 90 (Youth and adults are encouraged to attend—church teams, family units, and individuals are welcome. This trip may also be ideal for people who are exploring God’s call into ministry or would like to deepen their understanding of ministering to a South Asian community.)
Approx. trip cost: $925 + airfare. (This fee includes: room, most meals, and ministry-related transportation.)
Trip length: 1 Week
Latin America
Chillán, Chile
Church Renovation
Dates: Feb – Dec, 2021 (exact dates to be determined by team availability and COVID-19 restrictions)
The Serge team in Chile has partnered with Cristo Rey Church in Chillán. Our team will replace the roof and pour a concrete floor in the church building, as well as encourage this needy congregation through relationship ministry.
Max team size: 15 (age 16+, skills to be taught on-site, please enjoy adventure!)
Approx. trip cost: $1,175+ airfare
Trip length: 1 or 2 weeks
Cholchol, Chile
Cholchol Ministry Center Construction
Dates: Feb – June 2021, or Sept-Dec 2021 (exact dates to be determined by team availability and COVID-19 restrictions)
Construct two cabins on the grounds of the Cholchol Ministry Center started by Serge in 2016. One cabin will be used to house a pastoral family, the other to house visiting pastoral families in need of rest, spiritual refreshing, and Gospel renewal. On a free day, we hope to take the team salmon and trout fishing.
Max team size: 20 (age 16+, skills to be taught on-site, please enjoy adventure!)
Approx. trip cost: $1,325+ airfare
Trip length: 1 or 2 weeks
Chile
Central Chile Leadership Conference
Dates: Feb, July, Nov – Dec, 2021 (exact dates to be determined by team availability and COVID-19 restrictions)
To equip, encourage and refresh church leaders through much-needed teaching conferences. Topics are open for discussion with our missionary in Chile. Team members will: teach and coach, cook, organize games, lead worship, childcare, document event.
Max team size: 12 (age 18+, prefer church leader-types and those who would like to help refresh a group of Chilean pastors)
Approx. trip cost: $825+ airfare
Trip length: 1 or 2 weeks
Other
Himalayas and London, UK
Mountain Trek
Due to COVID-19, this trip has been canceled for 2021.
This spiritual pilgrimage offers a chance to experience cross-cultural missions without having to give up your entire summer. Spend two weeks trekking alongside indigenous missionaries through the Himalayas at elevations of 16,000 feet learning about and praying for unreached people living in one of the most remote places in the world. Be discipled by these missionaries as you deepen your understanding of yourself, God, and His calling on your life. Then, experience one week in London to debrief with Serge missionaries, use your new knowledge for evangelism, and learn about churches in Asian diaspora communities.
Max team size: 12 (most ideal for people who are exploring God’s call into ministry or would like to deepen their understanding of ministering to a South Asian community.
Approx. trip cost: $3000 (includes airfare)
Trip length: 3 weeks
What They’re Saying
Short-Term Missions
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Process
The first step is for you or your church leader to fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
What are the costs for a Short-Term Trip?
Costs vary for each trip. You can get specifics for a trip that interests you by contacting Brad Wallace, our Short-Term Coordinator at bwallace@serge.org. If you need to support raise, you can raise money from friends and family, through your church, and sometimes directly through Serge.
How soon do I need to sign up?
Sooner is better. All of our trips close at least two months before departure, and you may be looking to raise support.
How can I learn more about a particular trip?
If you have questions this page doesn’t answer, please contact Brad Wallace at bwallace@serge.org.
Take the Next Step
To sign up for any of our Short-Term Team Opportunities, please fill out the form below. Have a question? Please contact our Short-Term Coordinator, Brad Wallace at bwallace@serge.org.
RELATED RESOURCE
On Mission
by Patric Knaak
A missions trip provides unique opportunities to experience God’s grace in ways that we often miss during our day-to-day routines. Over time, however, these spiritual lessons tend to be forgotten as the memories of the trip fade. On Mission is an expanded daily devotional guide, designed to help you make the most of your experience by: spiritually preparing for your trip, staying connected to Jesus each day, and reflecting on what God has taught you and finding new ways to stay missionally engaged after you return home.
