How to apply? 

• Please create an account for both you and your student. Then apply for the trip under the student’s name. 
• There are questions the student will need to fill out in the application and questions that the parent will need to fill out.
• The application will take 15 - 20 minutes. 
• If you are a family that has multiple people applying for trips, check out the ServiceReef How To Guide. 

What is the Goal of the Trip? 

Middle School Student Mission Trips have 2 primary goals – 1) learn and practice evangelism and 2) be challenged to grow in their relationship with Jesus.

This trip is meant to actively equip students to learn and practice evangelism. Students will grow in their understanding of the gospel and be challenged to clearly articulate and live it out through both words and actions. Through training, scripture engagement, and real ministry opportunities, students will take steps of faith in sharing the hope of Jesus. 

Throughout the trip, students will also be challenged to grow in their personal relationship with Christ—developing spiritual disciplines, deepening their dependence on Him, and growing in confidence in who God has created them to be. Ultimately, this trip aims to be a formative experience that strengthens students’ faith. 

How Does The Trip Serve the Ministry Partner?

The trip serves the ministry partner because it makes their community projects possible and enables them to make connections for gospel conversations and follow up. They also work with local churches to help get people involved in discipleship. 

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 teachability. 

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What to Expect

What Does Time with the Ministry Partner Look Like? 

Your student will be with the ministry partner and the student leaders during the day and at the ministry sites. 

Project Overview: Work projects can look different depending on the season, but they’ll fall into one of the following categories: 

• GUM Projects: These projects are projects in or around GUM facilities that help them keep up operations and make our buildings nice and safe for their neighbors.
• Community Partner Projects: They work with other organizations around Galveston to serve the community, and they work to be good neighbors and serve them well. This includes working on projects for them during the summer to help maintain their facilities and help them prepare for the year.
• Neighbor Projects: Sometimes their neighbors need help moving or fixing their houses. They love helping their neighbors with projects that are sometimes hard to do alone or are mentally or physically taxing.
• They work hard to make sure that the work project assigned matches the skill level of the team and that it can be done safely.
• Community Events: 
  • Block Parties: Block Parties are all about inviting the neighbors and community partners in to meet and spend time getting to know one another. They typically have food, games, a bounce house, and more for families to enjoy. These events are outside, so bring some bug spray!
  • Family Nights: From painting to game night, family nights focus on having fun with the families they work with at GUM. They have snacks and a whole lot of fun at the GUM church as they focus on connecting with families in a casual, fun setting.
  • Street Camp gives us a chance to connect with kids in the community, teaching them about who God is and who He says they are. 

What Does a Typical Day Look Like?

• 8am - arrive at ministry project site
• 12:30-1:30pm - lunch
• 1:30pm - session for the day (all sessions are Bible based)
  • Example: What is poverty? Genesis 2
• 3:00pm - VBS (street camp)

What are Accommodations Like?

The students and leaders will stay at the GUM ministry compound in dorm style housing. 

What’s the Location Like?

• Weather - The weather will be similar to Austin in the summer, except much more humid!
• City vs. rural - City
• AC - There will be AC indoors at the GUM compound, but there may not be AC at some of the ministry sites
• Public transportation/walking - Vans with the group
• Traveling there - Approved leaders will drive the vans.
• Food - All meals will be at the GUM compound. 

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Trip Leaders

Noah Johnson, St. John Students Lead, will serve as the primary leader on the trip. He will be supported by the following leaders:

• Jessica Iles, Northwest Students Lead
• Brooke Guarry, South Students Resident
• Faith O'Brian, North Students Lead

What Are the Expectations of a Trip Leader? 

The trip leaders will be responsible for the emotional, physical, and spiritual well being of the students on the trip. They will also be expected to communicate with parents daily about the status of the group and what activities they have done! 

What Training and Qualifications are Needed to be a Leader? 

Trip leaders must have gone through the Students’ Ministry approval process and have been onboarded as Student Ministry volunteers. There will be student ministry staff serving as leaders. Only TAS staff members can be drivers for the group.