Central Asia (West)

Vision

What is the Goal of the Trip?

The team would serve in several ways: running programs for national church partners, such as English classes and VBS-style activities for children; participating in refugee home visits to share stories and build relationships; and supporting discipleship training while encouraging national leaders.

How Does The Trip Serve the Ministry Partner?

The ministry partner works with a national church made up of people from an unreached people group who are mostly refugees in the city.  A team coming would help in a few different areas including teaching English and VBS style programs for the kids of the church. The team would participate in refugee home visits to share stories and build relationships, and they would serve alongside them in discipleship training and encouragement of the national leaders.

Short-term trips fit into their long-term ministry by coming alongside existing communities and offering short programs that advance and build momentum of their current programs. Short-term trips breathe new life, help to create new relationships, and bring encouragement to our national partners and the team.

The ministry partner makes sure that in virtually all of the interactions a short-term team might have, they have a member of their team present who is able to make appropriate connections for further follow up. They also have daily debrief time where if there was a connection made or important aspects of a relationship made, they can make note and create an appropriate action plan for follow up.

What Heart Posture is Needed for the Trip

As team members are learning from and engaging with others, team members should have a heart posture of humility and remember that culture does not make people, people make the culture.You are part of the long-term team and are expected to participate in all their team-wide activities, events, fasts, meals, prayer meetings, work meetings, etc. Be ready to be flexible, as activities are often subject to change due to various factors (e.g. last minute invite to someone’s home).    

Other expectations include: 

• In light of our value to hear and obey the Holy Spirit, we expect all team members to spend individual time in the Word and prayer outside of group prayer meetings. This may sound far too obvious, but this can be a hard discipline to carry out, especially when on a village trip. We can’t emphasize enough the need to daily abide in the Lord!
• Come ready and eager to learn, as life and ministry here are most likely different from what you’re accustomed to.
• Be aware of your personal needs to maintain spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically health. If you need something, ask. 

What to Expect

What Does Time with the Ministry Partner Look Like?

You will spend time with the ministry partner or someone on their team daily as you work alongside them in their ministry. There will also be a daily debriefing time. 

What Does a Typical Day Look Like? 

As a general rhythm, the first day and the last day is left for orientation and debrief. Mornings are a little slower and allow for prep times for the day. Most of the events or visits will take place in the afternoon to evening, but there are usually a few late nights of ministry. 

What are Accommodations Like?

• Rooms will be same gendered unless there are married couples on the trip.
• There is a local hotel that they have used in the past that is close to the homes of the team. 

What’s the Location Like?

• Weather - The weather is hot in the summer! 
• City vs. rural - You’ll be staying in a large, metropolitan city. 
• Air Conditioning - Where you will be staying will most likely have AC, but there is not always AC in public places. 
• Public transportation/walking: You will have to do a lot of walking and will be taking public transportation. Their ministry work is spread out throughout the city and travel times vary from 10 minutes to 2 hours. There are a lot of stairs and inclines while walking throughout the city. 
• Traveling there:  Flights usually have 2 layovers.
• There are a lot of options in the city for food so most allergies are fairly easy to navigate. Bread is a staple in their diet though. If you have any food allergies, please let the Mission Lead know so that we can talk to you about how to best prepare and make accommodations. 
• Culture: Majority of the people who live in the city are Muslim. There is a wide spectrum of agnostic to religious muslims. The city is a touristy city so there are people from all over.    

What All is Covered in the Trip Cost?

Everything you need for your trip is included in the trip cost. These costs include flights, lodging, food, transportation, ministry costs, health insurance, etc. These amounts are based on preparation costs and costs given to us by the ministry partner.

Trainings

Trainings are essential for preparing well for the ministry your team will be participating in. Therefore, trainings are mandatory and if you need to miss, you will work with your trip leaders and Mission Lead to make up the content. 

The Heart Behind Training

We desire you to pursue Jesus in your daily life and grow to be more like Him. We will provide trainings that walk through abiding and resting in Jesus (John 15), ministry overview and expectations, culture, and logistics. While we can’t perfectly prepare you for everything you might encounter, we do our best to train you with everything you’d need for your trip. 

What is Covered in Trainings? 

• The vision and practicals of how to support raise. 
• The importance of gospel conversations and prayer coming from a place of overflow from your relationship with the Lord. 
• Gospel sharing tools. 
• How to care for people through prayer. 
• How to engage in prayer walking.   
• What the culture of  location you are going to is like.
• What content is needed for the local churches programming. 

Trip Leaders

What Are the Expectations of a Trip Leader? 

Being a short-term mission trip leader is a rewarding experience. It makes you a part of the Great Commission, letting you respond to God’s call to the nations in a sacrificial way while also shepherding a group of people. Check out the benefits and expectations here. If you are interested in being a trip leader, you apply through the application and complete the "Trip Leader" question section. 

What does Training for Trip Leaders Look Like?

Once confirmed as a trip leader, the trip leaders will meet with the Mission Lead from their congregation and the For the Nations staff regularly for ongoing connection and support as well as equipping you on how to lead your team well!

Prerequisites

• Must have a valid passport through the end of 2027 – If yours is expired, you’ll have to get it renewed. 

‍Financial Notes

• Budget: The cost of the trip is based on traveling to and from Austin and includes all trip insurance, transportation, supplies, lodging, and meals for the duration of the event. 
• IRS Guidelines: Gifts to the For The Nations Fund are used to support the church's global mission initiatives. You may preference the use of your gift, and we will endeavor to use the funds as you desire, but in order for the contribution to be tax deductible, the church must have ultimate control/discretion as to how the money is spent. This means that any financial gifts towards trips are non refundable. 
• If a trip is canceled due to unforeseeable circumstances, refunds will not be issued in compliance with the IRS guidelines. In some cases, it may be determined to allow raised funds to be applied to future trips.