Jill Toms, Glyndon, MN
As a mom, one of my greatest prayers—long before my teenagers ever step on a plane or pack a suitcase—is that they would grow into adults who love Jesus deeply and live out their faith with courage and compassion. Even before a mission trip becomes a reality, my heart is focused on who they are becoming and how God might use these formative years to shape their walk with Him.
When my husband and I consider bringing our teens on a mission trip, it’s not about giving them a memorable experience or checking something off a list. It’s about inviting them, even now, into what God is already doing around the world and helping them understand that they have a place in His greater story. Before they ever go, I want them to see that following Christ is about more than comfort—it’s about obedience, service, and trusting God with their lives.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19–20—the Great Commission—are not optional. He calls all believers to go and make disciples of all nations. Acts 1:8 reminds us that this calling starts close to home and stretches to the ends of the earth. As parents, we want our teens to understand early on that obedience to God often means stepping outside what feels safe and familiar. While they may not be called to long-term missions, even preparing for a short-term mission trip is a tangible way for them to wrestle with God’s command to go.
Our culture constantly encourages teens to focus inward, on their comfort, success, and personal goals. But Jesus modeled a very different way of life. Mark 10:45 tells us that He came not to be served, but to serve. Even before a mission trip happens, we want our teens to begin grasping what it looks like to live this out. Learning to serve others humbly and lovingly, just as Galatians 5:13 calls us to do.
International missions can feel overwhelming, especially for teenagers who may feel unprepared or unsure of themselves. But Scripture reminds us that God delights in using ordinary, willing, obedient hearts. Before ever entering a different culture, we want our teens to understand this truth: God can use them right now, exactly as they are. The heart of missions isn’t about having everything figured out; it’s about being available.
We also want our teens to approach missions with the right posture from the very beginning. Mission trips are not about swooping in with all the answers. Short-term teams are called to come as learners, not experts. Even in the preparation stage, they can begin to understand the importance of listening well, serving faithfully, and supporting the long-term missionaries who have committed their lives to the work God has called them to do. This mindset fosters humility and a healthy understanding of partnership within the body of Christ.
Even if our teens never live overseas, simply preparing for a mission trip helps them lift their eyes beyond their own world. It encourages them to think globally, pray intentionally, and care about people they may never meet. Revelation 7:9–11 paints a beautiful picture of people from every nation worshiping God together. God’s family is vast, diverse, and united by His grace; His plan has always been global.
This season of preparation also helps our teens begin to see how God has uniquely designed them. As they pray, learn, and consider how they might serve, they start to recognize their gifts, passions, and the ways God may be calling them to use what He’s given them for His glory. Even before the trip, God is already at work shaping their hearts.
Mission trips often leave a lasting mark, but that work begins long before departure. Preparing for a mission trip helps teens develop an eternal perspective, reminding them of what truly matters. It builds anticipation, dependence on God, and a deeper awareness of His faithfulness. These lessons, planted early, can shape the way they follow Jesus for years to come.
As a mother, even the decision to bring our teens on a mission trip is part of how I disciple them. Through prayer, preparation, and intentional conversations, they are learning what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. My prayer is that before, during, and long after any mission trip, they will live on mission wherever God calls them.