Impact Trips
Take the love of Jesus beyond borders on a short-term Impact Trip. Our Impact Trips are a life-changing way to live the gospel side by side with people all over the world. Serve alongside partners, encourage field workers, make friends, and share God’s love. Trips for adults and students are listed below.
Applications for 2024 Impact Trips closed December 15, 2023.
Middle East 1
Middle East 1 – April
April 4-15 // Cost: $2,500
This trip will give participants an introduction to local culture and history and provide the opportunity to engage directly with English-speaking Muslim friends. The itinerary will include a prayer journey to a smaller city and a visit to a local church.
Middle East 1 – July
July 5-15 // Cost: $2,500
This team will serve alongside Kardelen, a ministry partner in the Middle East serving children with special needs. The mission of Kardelen Mercy Teams is to empower children with special needs and their families to face the world with dignity and hope. The team will host several family picnics for the families Kardelen serves, using this as an opportunity to encourage families and give them respite for the day.
Middle East 2
Middle East 2 – April
April 6-14 // Cost: $2,500
As a member of this team, you will partner with our field workers to support their annual Spring Retreat. The team will provide programming for children of workers serving in this region. You will also get to learn from, encourage, and pray for the field workers spreading the gospel in this region of the world.
Middle East 2 – June
May 30-June 10 // Cost: $2,500
The team will serve under two local churches that are partners with Grace. For the first half of the trip, the team will travel to the northern region to visit and encourage Syrian refugees. The second half of the trip will be dedicated to visiting Syrian, Iraqi, and Sudanese refugees in the city. The main purpose of the trip is to learn from the local partnering churches and to share hope and life-giving words with the refugees living in dire situations.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia – June
June 8-22 // Cost: $4,200
As a member of this team, you will be equipped to do cross-cultural ministry among one of the Unreached People Groups in this country with the largest Muslim population in the world. You will stay in local people’s homes, learn the local language, go on prayer walks, and look for opportunities to share your faith as you experience the culture, arts, and history of this ancient land. You will also get to learn from, encourage, and pray for local disciple–makers Grace is partnered with.
Southeast Asia – October
October 12-22 // Cost: $4,200
As a member of this team, you will be equipped to do cross-cultural ministry among the largest Unreached People Group in this country with the largest Muslim population in the world. You will stay in local people’s homes, go on prayer walks, and look for opportunities to share your faith as you experience the culture, arts, and history of this ancient land. You will also get to learn from, encourage, and pray for local disciple–makers Grace is partnered with.
San Diego
May 22 – July 1 // Cost: $4,500
This trip is geared towards those wanting to receive training and equipping in cross-cultural ministry, while serving amongst a refugee community (Afghan, Syrian, Kurdish, Iraqi). Interns will partner with our field worker, Amanda, and her teammates living and working alongside refugee friends in San Diego as a missional community.
Uganda
Uganda – October
October 16-25 // Cost: $3,000
The team will serve Terebinth Ministries by coming alongside local pastors, assisting in biblical training, caring for widows, and encouraging the local church in their discipleship efforts and development of local leaders. The primary task will be training local pastors and conducting a multi-day Bible conference for the widows in the community. In addition, we will have the opportunity to serve a clinic that provides basic care to people in the local villages.
Student Impact Trips
Uganda
June 29-July 9 // Cost: $3000 // Open to 11th and 12th graders
The team will serve in Bugembe, working at the AOET’s primary and secondary schools to encourage students and run a Vacation Bible School. The team will also conduct child sponsorship interviews to update student profiles, complete a service project at the clinic, and visit the children’s village to spend time with children who live there.
Texas Refugee
June 30-July 6 // Cost: $1200 // Open to 9th and 10th graders
Students will partner with a missions organization called For The Nations in Richardson, Texas and will help with education, acculturation, and Gospel presentations to refugee adults and children. They will engage in developing relationships with the refugees to share the love of Christ with those who have endured difficult circumstances.
Park Heights
July 14-19 // Cost: $500 // Open to middle schoolers
Park Heights students will come to Grace to experience Vacation Bible School and other fun activities at our facilities in Fulton. During the week, Grace students will lead a VBS, serve our community through various service projects, and go on a local field trip to First Fruits Farm. To begin embracing the nature of an impact trip, students will stay overnight in the Warehouse under adult supervision.
Grace Community Church
8200 Old Columbia Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
Want More Information?
Do you feel stirred to go on an impact trip, but still have questions? Or maybe you need just a little more clarity. We have the perfect thing for you. On April 24th after the 11:00AM gathering, the Beyond team will be holding an Information Meeting at Grace (Kidzone room 420). No need to sign up. No need to register. This is a great time to come and get answers about the Impact Trips and to receive important information about the trips. For more information please contact beyond@grace.community.
FAQs
Q: WHY SHOULD I GO?
A: The question to ask might be “why would I not go?” God invites us to be part of what he is doing around the world and to step out of our comfort zone so that others can share in the hope that we have. His commands to share the gospel with the nations are clear (Psalm 96:3, Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Acts 13:47, Romans 10:13-15).
Q: IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WILL KEEP ME FROM GOING?
A: If you have a major health problem you should consult with your doctor before applying. A servant spirit is also needed to be a part of an Impact Trip team, and if you are unable to be flexible or teachable, then you will not enjoy the experience and will make it difficult on your team members.
Q: WHAT ABOUT THE COST? (IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY TO RAISE – CAN’T I JUST PAY FOR IT MYSELF?)
A: Impact Trips are funded through support raising. Whether you are concerned about the cost or not sure why you should raise support, God is concerned about people being involved in his mission. This is an opportunity for you to grow in your trust of God and his provision, and an opportunity for others to be a part of what God is doing through your team.
Q: THAT SEEMS LIKE A BIG TIME COMMITMENT. CAN I JUST SHOW UP AT THE AIRPORT?
A: There is a time commitment involved because you are joining a team, not a trip. Your team will meet approximately six times prior to departure to get to know each other and prepare for your time on mission together. The team will also meet at least once after you return. Your meetings will prepare you to better understand yourself, the culture into which you are traveling, and the specifics of your mission.
Q: I WANT TO GO BUT I CAN’T COMMIT TIME FOR PREPARATION. WHAT DO I DO?
A: If your schedule does not permit you to be a part of the preparation, you should not travel this year and wait until you can make room in your schedule for it. That does not mean you have to be left out! The most successful teams include both travelers and non-travelers; those not traveling can pray, give, and mobilize others to complete the mission. Commit to praying for a specific team or leader and/or designate funds toward an individual or team. Get involved with Beyond locally.
Q: MAY I DRINK ALCOHOL OR SMOKE ON THE TRIP?
A: No. Grace Community Church requests that you do not drink alcohol or smoke.
Q: HOW DO YOU ENSURE THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS OVERSEAS?
A: Grace Community works closely with our partners, and we do everything in our power to ensure safety in health, food and travel. In almost all instances, we are assured safety when following the direction of the local hosts. Ultimately, our security is in the hands of the Lord.
Q: DO I NEED A PASSPORT?
A: Yes. You must have a valid passport to apply for any international trip.
Any further questions?
Contact Shaena Foot // Impact Trips Coordinator