Why You Need to Go on a Mission Trip

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

Do you dream of taking a short-term mission trip for Jesus? 

I have two words for you. Just go.

My husband and I have journeyed together on several medical missions, including a recent week in Guatemala, and they’ve all been grand adventures. 

That said, it takes a bit of time and organization to make your trip happen. Here are some of the basics: 

First, why do you want to go? Maybe it’s the thrill of the unknown, visiting a remote location, or meeting new friends. Maybe it’s the desire to have an impact on the world beyond your usual sphere of influence, to do something to help improve the quality of life among the poverty-stricken. Those are all great reasons.

Ultimately, though, your bottom-line purpose should be to serve Jesus. You go to spread His Gospel message and see others come to know Him as their Savior and Lord. If you’re not there for Christ’s kingdom, it’s not a mission trip. It’s only a humanitarian effort.

So, start with prayer. Ask God to show you where He’s leading you to go. He will also clear your path by removing obstacles such as financing. Go with a team, and pray for harmony. Enlist prayer warriors to pray for you while you’re gone. Take a written guidebook to help you effectively tell about Jesus in your evangelistic encounters. Pray that God will embolden you to step out of your comfort zone.

Unsure about your skills? God can use you even if you have no special training. I’m a writer, yet I’ve tackled tying rebar, pouring concrete, scrubbing a well, cleaning toilets, and leading vacation Bible school activities. On our latest trip, I was the non-medical “eye doctor,” giving out reader eyeglasses and watching the joy on faces as patients were able to see more clearly! 

When you go for Jesus, you begin to view the world through new lenses, too. Our team worked in a sweltering auditorium with medical workers set up at tables—dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, general medicine, orthopedic consultation, and children’s activities—seeing more than a thousand patients during the week.

I watched the multitudes of people waiting to be seen, all wanting relief from their pain and suffering. They were ordinary people who had no resources for medical care. Many could not read, and some spoke in local dialects. In these oven-like conditions, I saw them as Jesus did…downtrodden both bodily and spiritually. 

At the conclusion of each patient’s visit to my station, I asked how I could pray for them. Usually, their requests were for good health and for their families. One man broke down in tears, telling us about his young adult son with epilepsy. A woman asked me to pray for a missing son; she hadn’t heard from him in three years. Another woman wanted to know more about Jesus—I was able to tell her what it means to be a Christian, leading her through a prayer for His saving grace.

Like me, you’ll probably experience the paradox that occurs on mission trips. You may think you’re helping others (and to an extent you are), but the real change is in your own heart. As God uses you, He will draw you closer to Him and increase your desire to serve Him more. 

His mission field for you can be half a world away, or in your own backyard. Whenever and wherever He calls you, trust and obey…without hesitation or reservations…taking His love with you in your backpack. 

Jesus will be with you every step of the way on an unforgettable adventure of faith. Just go!

Lord, You have a special mission planned for me in my life. Make me wise, humble, and obedient to follow where You lead. Prepare me to share Your good news, and fill my heart with Your love to pour out to others. I pray You will give me clear direction, energy, and wise preparation. Please help me go! In Your name, Jesus, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs/devotions are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #missions #missiontrips #witnessing #evangelism #evangelismexplosion #missionteam