Zion Avery (center) serves children at the Tahanan Community Center in Leyte, Philippines, Summer 2026.
By Emma Pierce (Student)
I would say most everyone who puts their faith in the Lord has a desire to make a difference in the world in some way, even if it’s just by serving the community in their hometown. Many have an interest in going abroad for a mission trip but hesitate for a few reasons.
One is that some do not feel called to a long-term commitment to missionary work. This perceived lack of calling can sometimes convince us that serving on just one or two mission trips will not make much of an impact, or at least that the positive effects of our work will not last for very long. Let’s call this one: “I’m not called.”
Another reason is that some feel unqualified. Perhaps they lack a biblical degree or have never traveled out of the country before and are afraid of making mistakes in a place where they do not speak the language or understand the culture. Let’s call this one: “I’m not qualified.”
Student Esther Bargatze (center) facilitates a poetry-writing workshop in The Philippines, Summer 2026.
Do You Need a Long-Term Calling to Serve Overseas?
You do not have to be called to lifelong missionary work to participate in missions. You can go ready to learn, serve, encourage, and support missionaries already at work there.
It is extremely easy to get so caught up in our day-to-day living that we forget how vast the world is, and just how small we are. On a mission trip, you will be exposed to new ideas, cultures, religions, and traditions, which will give you a richer understanding of what missionary work in a specific region looks like on a daily basis.
What struggles are they facing? What are their health needs? How does the government in their area view missionaries? Do they have a place for a church to meet? Do they have good childcare?
Seeing all of this firsthand helps you understand how to best support those who have gone out for the sake of the gospel. It will open your eyes to the ways you can get involved even at home! Knowing who and what you are supporting with financial gifts, service, materials, and prayers gives a much stronger sense of purpose and connection.
Deborah Castellanos (second from right) and Ezrah Aaseby (far right) facilitated worship alongside local believers in The Philippines, Summer 2026.
What Can You Do on a Short-Term Mission Trip?
The good news for those who struggle with feeling unqualified is that some of the most helpful work you can do to support missionaries does not require any kind of degree.
You might help paint or clean a new church building. You might clean homes. You might prepare food. You might assist with transportation. Having a good understanding of the gospel message and general biblical knowledge is very important, but there are many possibilities, regardless of your educational background.
The important thing is to serve in ways that are genuinely helpful to the local ministry and the people already doing the work.
For long-term missionaries, these shorter mission trips can bring a much-needed boost of encouragement. A smiling, friendly face from back home can do wonders for the weary. Even better when that face belongs to someone who has arrived to help in whatever way they are needed!
If you are working on service projects during your trip, it is also a great opportunity to pick up some practical skills. You will learn what it’s like to work inside a team of fellow believers from all different walks of life. It is common for lasting friendships to grow from these experiences, as shared challenges and a common goal bring people from various cultures and backgrounds together.
Serving in an unfamiliar culture can require us to surrender our expectations and learn to trust God in new circumstances. Your faith may very well be tested as you adjust to time changes, language barriers, uncomfortable climates, or new daily routines. But your ability to wholly trust in the Lord through these challenges can grow.
As James says in 1:3, “For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
Nashville Bible college students and alumni partnered with a thriving Christian community in the summer of 2026.
Four Things to Remember Before Going on a Mission Trip
I spoke with Deborah Castellanos, a fellow student who has been a part of a few short-term mission trips, about what she learned from them.
Before coming to Nashville Bible College, she had never planned on going abroad, and she personally faced these doubts. She gave me some helpful points of advice for those who are considering going on a mission trip but don’t feel called or qualified.
Go to learn. Do not go into it with a hero mindset, as if you are entering an impoverished country as some kind of savior.
Learn about the culture you are entering beforehand. You will probably never feel ready, even as you are on the plane to wherever you are headed, but going into it with little else but good intentions can do more harm than good. Cultural awareness is essential.
Allow your experience to shape how you live. You may see things that open your eyes to the privilege you have in your own life. It is good to be grateful for your blessings, but that should not be all you take away from the experience. Have a humble heart, and allow the new perspective you gain to shape how you live by becoming a better steward of what God has given you.
Be thoughtful about how you give. It is good to give resources to those in need, but it is also important to work alongside local ministry leaders who understand how those resources can best serve their communities.
My calling may lead me to serve the Lord here at home rather than overseas, and there is great value in both. Even if I only participate in one mission trip, I can learn from believers in another part of the world, share the gospel, and support those who have committed their lives to serving there. Wherever God leads me, I want to be willing to learn, serve, and follow him.
