Eastern Europe (Northwest)

Vision 

What is the Goal of the Trip? 

The trip’s goal is to support the ministry partner in reaching a marginalized people group through prayer walking, evangelism, and assisting with English camps, while building relationships, listening, and learning. This trip also aims to encourage local leaders, strengthen ongoing ministry efforts.  

How Does The Trip Serve the Ministry Partner?

The ministry partner hopes to build relationships with their community and find ways to serve them. They believe there is a lack of gospel movement because there is a lack of prayer for this country. Most people don’t think of Eastern Europe when they think about unreached people groups. They utilize short-term teams for helping their local staff with English camps, meeting new contacts, and covering the city in prayer.
 

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. 

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What to Expect 

What Does Time with the Ministry Partner Look Like? 

Outside of lodging, the team will spend the majority of the time with the ministry partner. There may be times the team splits up into small groups to prayer walk specific areas. The team will get to be a part of everyday life of the ministry partner and the work they do. 

What Does a Typical Day Look Like? 

• Church, prayer/prayer walking, and English camp in their city and two of the surrounding towns.
• Potentially helping out with practical needs of the team or churches.
• A day could include English camp in the morning and then prayer walking and evangelism in the afternoon or evening. 
• There are opportunities to serve the goer families. 
   

What are Accommodations Like?

The team will stay in an airbnb style lodging. Rooms will be same gendered unless a married couple is on the trip. 

What’s the Location Like?

• Weather - The weather is hot in the summer! You’ll want to wear loose and comfortable clothes. 
• City vs. rural - You’ll be staying in a city, but you may drive out to smaller locations to work with the people group. 
• Air Conditioning - Where you will be staying will most likely have AC, but there is not AC in public places. 
• Transportation - You will need to do a lot of walking and will take public transportation or ride with the goers to different locations. 
• Flights - Flights usually have 2 layovers. The team will fly into the capital city and then be picked up by the goers to drive 3 hours to their city. 
• Food - If you have any food allergies, please let the FTN team know so that we can talk to you about how to best prepare and make accommodations. 
   

What All is Covered in the Trip Cost?

Everything you need for your trip is included in the trip cost, which can be viewed here. These amounts are based on preparation costs and costs given to us by the field partner.

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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. 
 

• 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.

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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!

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IRS Guidelines for Donations Given to Fund Short-Term Trips

Gifts to the For the Nations Fund are tax deductible. 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 and discretion as to how the money is spent.