IMPACT TRIPS

The Antioch Movement of churches is committed to be a people who have a passion for Jesus and His purposes in the earth. From the beginning of our movement in the early 90’s we have been sending teams to the farthest corners of the earth in hopes of “making disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and partnering with Jesus to see the “gospel of the kingdom… proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations” (Matthew 24:14). Impact Trips give you the opportunity to be exposed to more of God’s heart for the nations, be stretched and grown as a follower of Jesus and to put it quite simply, you will not return the same. Impact Trips are life-changing and potentially calling-awakening experiences where we set our selves up to experience more of God and come alive in who we are made to be!

On Antioch Impact Trips you will serve under an existing missionary team to share the gospel, pray for the lost, seek to make disciples, worship, pray and discover more of God’s heart with your team. You and your team will also be highly encouraged to “GO FOR IT” and behold God’s faithfulness and provision in new and powerful ways. A typical day could look like the following:

• Wake Up

• Spend Time with Jesus

• Breakfast

• Team Time

• Lunch

• Afternoon Outreach

• Dinner

• Outreach and Follow Up

Our primary method of funding our mission trips is by “Support Raising” or “Ministry Partner Development.” Support Raising or Ministry Partner Development (MPD) is not simply just fundraising or asking people for money, but rather it is the opportunity for you to invite friends, family and others to partner with the call of God on your life and the purpose of this trip. We believe that it is God’s heart for all people to hear the gospel and we do not want money to be the reason we do not go. Therefore, we respond to God, earnestly pray about how to fund our trips, and carry faith for Him to provide “more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Each trip member is required to pay for 10% of their overall trip cost in order to show that you are also willing to sacrifice personally to respond to God’s call for you to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Yes, we offer Impact Trips in multiple Summer months. If you are planning on taking classes during both Summer Semesters, unfortunately you will likely not be able to go on a trip. However, if you are only taking classes during Summer 1, then you can go on a July trip and if you are taking Summer 2 classes, you can go on a June trip.

We believe that all elements of the trip are essential for you to receive the full Impact Trip experience, therefore you are expected to be present for all trainings, time in your location, and debrief after your trip when you arrive back in the United States. Also, because Impact Trips are typically only 2-3 weeks in length, we want to maximize your time and opportunities to meet with God in powerful ways while you are on your trip.

No, you do not need to have previous mission trip experience to go on an Impact Trip. It is beneficial, but by no means necessary to have previous experience with mission trips. In fact, Impact Trips are specifically designed to allow participants to engage and be stretched at various levels. We strongly encourage first-time mission goers to try out an Impact Trip!

At Antioch, we love to say that “we grow with family and we go as family.” Ideally, you will go on the whole journey with a team of people from your LifeGroup or Section. From training to traveling to processing on your return, we want you to go with people who you have an established relationship with. Even if you do not know some members of your team at the beginning of the process, our desire is that you will grow in relationship with your teammates through the training and preparation for your trip.

Preparation for Impact Trips has many components, both for you personally and for your team. Throughout the months leading up to your trip, your team will meet twice a month to build relationship, worship and pray, and equip every person on your team through trainings. The trainings will cover a wide scope of topics including support raising, sharing the gospel, and travel tips and etiquette. We want you to be equipped and feel confident to go on a trip.

At Antioch, we take the call to “go and make disciples of all nations,” very seriously. We emphasize making disciples everywhere we go whether it is in Bryan/College Station, parts of the USA or the nations of the earth! We believe something very special is deposited in the hearts of those that go overseas and get outside of our American “bubble.” We become more aware of God’s heart for all peoples of all nations and we get to make disciples among those who may not have access to the Gospel yet.

Anyone is welcome to apply to go on an Impact Trip and your team leaders, as well as the Mobilization Staff will ultimately help decide what is the best option for you. It is our hope to provide opportunities for families, young adults, college students and youth to be able to participate in our Impact Trips.

We recognize that there are dangers everywhere (including the US) and that travel brings an added element of risk. We have worked hard to put extensive safety protocols in place. That said, some Impact Trips may not be for everyone. Applicants need to consider things happen we can’t predict. People get sick and accidents happen. Because we minister amongst the poor and sometimes in remote locations, it is possible you will encounter people with any number of challenges. To address the issues we face, we work closely with a variety of organizations on the ground to monitor political, security, health, weather, and other risks in the regions that we minister. This information includes the U.S. State Department travel warnings. All interns are required to have a travel insurance policy that works closely to ensure you will receive the care you need if it should arise. Moreover, interns are required to register with the State Department prior to deployment.

This is often the most delicate and vulnerable part of moving forward as part of Impact Trips. We encourage you to include your parents in the decision process of your summer plans. Rather than ‘’reporting’’ to them what you are planning on doing, invite them to pray with you about the decision as you start to apply. Listen to their input—they love you and want the best for you!

We are exhorted by the Word to “Honor our father and mother” (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2), and so this isn’t just our admonition to applicants but a Biblical command for us to follow. As a rule of thumb, if your parents are still paying your bills (tuition, rent, food, cell phone, car, insurance, etc.) then they have the right to make decisions in your life. So, honor your parents and include them in this decision with you.

If your parents have questions and concerns, please feel free to have them email us directly at missions@antiochcs.org. Please make sure they include your name and your potential trip location in the body of the email.

Most, if not all, of our Impact Trip locations are to places where we have long-term church planters present that will follow up with any people that are interested in learning more about or following Jesus. The Long-Term Team will communicate with your team regarding follow-up strategies.

YES! We encourage couples and families with kids to prayerfully consider jumping in on an Impact Trip. We realize that it is a step of faith to take children overseas, but we believe that this is one of the best things parents can give kids—a chance to be a part of the Great Commission. Moreover, kids aren’t just tagging along but will bring something unique to their team and location that otherwise would be missing. Practically, it could impact what your daily rhythms look like as mom and dad, but we believe that taking your family on an Impact Trip could be life-changing for all of you! Children also often open doors to families in the nations that otherwise might not be engaged by younger missionaries. Please talk to our Families Pastor, Chris Pletcher, if you are seriously interested in an Impact Trip as we often try to facilitate our trips by Zones in our church.