France (South)

Vision

What is the Goal of the Trip? 

Combines training and encouragement of local Muslim-background believers with a hands-on service project. The main need in their ministry is a place to host people in their home and so they have asked for us to help renovate their basement space. The ministry partner has relationships that a short-term team can invest in and encourage. The goers live in a poorer area of the city that has access to around 60 Unreached People Groups. 

How Does The Trip Serve the Ministry Partner?

Short-term teams bring a fresh wave of energy and love that uniquely blesses the community. Through shared fellowship and genuine enthusiasm, they create memories that last long after they've gone home. They also bring something the ministry partners deeply need: willing hands and fresh vision. The ministry partners have a basement with incredible potential for ministry, but they don't have the experience or giftings to know how to transform it. Short-term teams can help turn that space full of possibility into a place where ministry can truly happen.

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 ministry partner’s 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? 

Hosts are available much but not all of the time. The team stays within walking distance of the train station, ministry sites, and training location; the hosts live 20 minutes away by tram, so leaders should be comfortable with public transit. Unless there is a ministry event in the evenings, the evenings/dinners the team is on its own. 

What’s a Typical Day Look Like? 

Typical day: morning prayer/Word and an activity (training, evangelism, work project, errands), lunch at an ethnic restaurant, afternoon work project or rest, and dinner together or with locals. A city tour on Reformation history helps with jet lag, and the team hosts an evening with local contacts/believers near the trip's end. Possible separate men's/women's times; free/tourist time and a final debrief depending on the work project's progress. The service project (converting a basement room into a ministry spaced) needs redesign ideas, painting/flooring work, furniture assembly help. 

What are Accommodations Like?

You will stay at a hotel within walking distance of most locations. It is above a shopping center with a grocery store, bakeries and a pharmacy. It also has A/C! 

What’s the Location Like?

• Weather - Mild climate. 
• City vs. rural - City. It’s a very diverse city with the freedom to be oneself in public, though the cultural norm is to be quiet and polite. The community served is long suffering and spiritually abused; focus is on modeling holiness, hospitality, fellowship, and scripture reading. Dress modestly in ministry settings and limit male/female interaction beyond basic greetings. No translators needed. English is commonly spoken. 
• AC - There is AC at the hotel. 
• Public transportation/walking: You would need to be able to walk 15-20 mins without stopping and while potentially carrying supplies. You’ll do a 15-20 min walk multiple times a day on cobblestone. You may also take the tram within the city. 
• Traveling there - Flight to a neighboring country and then a train ride across the border to the ministry partner.  
• Food:  There are good options for food within the city.   

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. 
• How to engage in prayer walking.   
• What the culture of  location you are going to is like. 
• Practical ways to serve the community you are going to. 
• Planning for the basement project. 
• A call with the ministry partner to prepare well for the trip. 

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 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.
• Minimum Age Requirement - (for family trips) 

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.