8 Reasons You Should Go on an International Mission Trip

If you have spent any significant time around Cru, you have probably heard someone share about Cru’s commitment to international missions. For over six decades, Cru has been sending teams of staff and students all over the world to share the life-changing Good News of Jesus with people in virtually every country on Earth. As a result, millions of people have placed their trust in Jesus and have become a part of God’s family.

Cru International Missions

from Creative One Media

Maybe you or a student you know have been wondering, “Would God call me to be a part of an international mission someday?” That’s a great question!!! Even as you read this, God is raising up teams of students to join Him in mission fields all over the globe. There are several reasons you should consider joining a team. A mission trip can help you…

Take the Gospel to the World

In one of Jesus’ final acts during His time on Earth, He gathered His disciples on a mountainside and told them,

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

We often refer to this passage of Scripture as the Great Commission. Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all ethnos, or people groups. If we are to truly follow Christ, then we need to take Matthew 28 seriously. We need to join Him in His mission of making disciples, all over the world!

Find a Deeper Relationship With God

The Christian life is a life of connection to and dependence upon Christ. Sadly, in our day-to-day experience, we often fall into the trap of living disconnected, self-directed lives. International missions provide a unique opportunity to walk in dependence upon the Lord and find a renewed awareness of our need for Him.

Develop a Stronger Faith

Faith is like a muscle. In order to grow, it needs to be exercised and must experience resistance! If you’ve ever worked out, you know that in order to get stronger, you need to push your muscles beyond what is comfortable or easy. The heavier the weight, the more the resistance, the more your muscles will eventually grow. In many ways, faith works in the same way. If we only do what comes naturally, or what seems easy, our faith may remain underdeveloped.

On the other hand, when we take steps of faith that are uncomfortable, when we attempt things that can only be accomplished if God shows up, our faith has the opportunity to grow! International missions provide great opportunities to work out our faith as we trust the Lord in big ways (raising financial support, international travel, speaking to someone from another culture, sharing our faith, etc.).

Experience Another Culture

Each of us experience our Christian life in the context of our own culture. It’s impossible to avoid. And sometimes it can be difficult to separate our faith from our unique cultural expression of it. When we participate in international missions, we have the opportunity to interact with Christians around the world who love Jesus, are committed to His Word, but operate from a very different cultural perspective.

In this new environment, we are able to see and experience the beauty and character of God in unique and significant ways. This can help us to better see and understand God’s character as well as better discern how we can express our Christian faith in our own culture.

Experience Rich Christian Community

When God saves us, He not only calls us to Himself, but also into a family of believers. If you’ve ever been a part of a team, band, or any other group of people working towards a common goal, you know how satisfying that can be. Relationships are strengthened in the midst of working, playing, and building memories together. International missions provide terrific opportunities to interact with other believers: serving together, encouraging one another, praying for one another, and celebrating the unique strengths and gifts of each person on the team.

Faith is like a muscle. In order to grow, it needs to be exercised and must experience resistance!

Be Trained and Equipped for a Lifetime
of Ministry

Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of mission trips is that they provide an environment of highly intentional training and equipping for the students who participate. Students who take part in missions learn valuable ministry skills like how to share their story in a way that can lead others to Christ, how to clearly and concisely share the Good News of Jesus, and how to help new believers begin to grow in their faith.

These skills and strategies can be useful for a lifetime of faithfully following Jesus into evangelism and discipleship, but sadly, many Christians never take the time to learn or equip themselves for these tasks. An international mission provides great opportunities to develop these skills and then apply them for years to come!

See God Work in a Unique Way

We know that God is at work in all places at all times, but for some reason, we often see God do extraordinary things when we join Him in international missions. Quite often, students who go have the opportunity to see someone, even many someones, place their faith in the Lord. Not only does this help accomplish God’s plan to bring people from all over the world into His family, but it often increases our faith to trust Him to do the same on our local campuses when we return home.

Gabe, a high school sophomore from Colorado, had never shared his faith before going on a mission to Quito, Ecuador. After seeing several students trust Jesus on his mission, Gabe returned to Colorado with a newfound zeal for evangelism. Within the first two months back on his campus, Gabe had led four of his classmates to know Jesus!

Enjoy an Adventurous Life With Jesus

If God created the universe and holds all wisdom and power, it only makes sense that a life connected to Him should be a life of adventure! Jesus himself promises a “rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10) So, why do so few Christians experience this kind of life? We believe it is because so many of us fail to accept Jesus’ invitation to walk by faith, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and join Him in His work in the world. If you’re looking for a little excitement in your walk with the Lord, consider joining Him on an international mission!

These are not the only reasons you should go on a mission trip this year, but we hope they offer a compelling vision of how God could use an international mission opportunity in your life and strengthen your relationship with Him. As you prayerfully consider joining God on a mission, you can explore current opportunities within Cru’s high school ministry here.

Next Step

Check out Christina's Story and consider how God might use an international mission in your or another student's life.

Christina's Story

Made for Students, Helpful for Adults

This Playbook is designed first for students. It helps you take ownership, lead your friends, and build something that actually reaches your school.

At the same time, if you’re an adult, youth leader, parent, or volunteer, this gives you a clear way to come alongside students without taking over.

Students lead
Adults support
Everyone moves forward together

Why Most People Don’t Start

A lot of students never take the first step. Not because they don’t care, but because they feel stuck.

“Where do I even begin?”
“What if no one shows up?”
“How do I get others involved?”

Uncertainty can keep people from moving. This Playbook breaks that barrier. It gives you a clear path so you can stop overthinking and start doing.

What This Helps You Do

This isn’t just ideas sitting on a page. It’s a practical guide you can actually use right now.

With the Playbook, you can:

Start something meaningful, even if you’re on your own
Gather a few friends and build momentum
Share your faith in natural, real ways
Lead with confidence, even if you’ve never led before
Build something that lasts beyond you

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a place to start.

“Start where you are, use what you have, take the first step.”

A Simple Path to Follow

The Playbook walks you through five clear steps. Each one is simple, practical, and designed to help you take action.

DREAM: Start with a vision for your school and what God could do there
PRAY: Learn how to pray for your campus in real, meaningful ways
GO: Take action, gather a team, and begin reaching people
GROW: Build a group that develops leaders and multiplies
SEND: Help others step out and reach their friends too

You don’t have to guess what to do next. It’s right there in front of you.

Built to Be Used, Not Just Read

This isn’t a long manual you’ll never finish. It’s short. It’s simple. It’s designed to move you forward.

Easy to read
Clear next steps
Real examples
Space to think and act

You can go through it on your own, or walk through it with a couple of friends. Adults can use it to guide conversations and help students take ownership.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Starting something can feel intimidating. But you’re not on your own. The Playbook connects you to tools, coaching, and a bigger movement of people who are doing the same thing. Take one step, and you’ll find support along the way.

Start Today

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a first step.

Next Step

Download the Playbook with the button above and walk through the first section this week with a friend!

Comment Cards 101: Capture Interest, Build Relationships

Why Comment Cards Matter

The most important thing you do in ministry isn’t running events, it’s building relationships. Big gatherings are great, but they aren’t personal. Comment cards help you bridge that gap. They give students a simple way to raise their hand and say:

“I’m interested”
“I want to get involved”
“I want to talk”
“I made a decision”

A comment card is more than a form. It’s a filter. The event gathers the crowd, but the comment cards reveal the ones who are ready. Instead of guessing who’s interested, students tell you. And that’s what allows you to follow up personally and meaningfully.

Download Comment Cards

Tip: Start simple. You can always customize later.

Physical vs. Digital Comment Cards

You can collect information digitally, but physical cards still win.

Physical Cards

Higher response rate
Easier to complete in the moment
No distractions
Feels more intentional

Digital Options

Students are less likely to fill them out
Distractions
Technical glitches

Digital can work, but many ministries find they get about half the responses compared to physical cards. Even in a digital world, physical cards often get better results. If you want the most responses, go physical first.

“The card isn’t the win, the conversation is.”

How to Use Comment Cards

1. Pass Them Out at the Right Moment
Usually at the end of a meeting or outreach, when interest is highest.

2. Give Everyone a Pen or Pencil
Don’t assume students have one. They won’t.

3. Walk Through the Card Together
This is huge. Once everyone has a card, read each section out loud and guide them:

“Write your name here”
“Check this if you want to get involved”
“Check this if you prayed to receive Christ”

If you don’t do this, students rush through and check random boxes.

4. Give Them Time to Complete It
Pause. Let them actually fill it out.

5. Collect Them Immediately
Don’t leave it optional or vague.

Use Incentives to Increase Response

Want more cards turned in? Use prizes.

Gift cards
Snacks
Fast food coupons
Free merch

Tell them:
“Turn in your card, we’ll draw for prizes.”

It works. A simple prize can double your response rate.

Best Practices That Make a Big Difference

Use cardstock
Regular paper tears or gets ruined. Cardstock holds up better.

Keep it simple
Too many options overwhelm students.

Look through cards immediately
Scan for:

Students who want to get involved
Spiritual decisions
Urgent needs

If possible, connect with them before they leave the meeting. The best practice is to follow up within 24–48 hours. After that, interest fades fast. So if. you can talk with them before they leave and set up a time to connect again in the next day or so, you will get your best results.

Turning Cards Into Conversations

A comment card is just the beginning. The goal isn’t collecting information. The goal is connection. Use what they checked to guide your follow-up:

Grab lunch
Meet after school
Start a Bible study
Have a gospel conversation

Final Thought

Comment cards can feel like a small detail, but they might be one of the most important things you do at an event. They help you move from a crowd, to a conversation, to a changed life.

Next Step

Download a comment card and use it at your next meeting.

Student Leader Application and Covenant

Strong student leadership doesn’t happen by accident.

Whether you’re a student leading your peers or an adult supporting a movement, clarity around leadership can make a huge difference. These simple documents are designed to help you communicate expectations, invite the right students in, and build a healthy leadership culture.

They’re optional tools for any campus movement, not requirements, but many teams find them incredibly helpful.

Student Leadership Application

This application is a simple way for students to express interest in leadership and for you to get to know them better. It creates space for students to share their story, their faith, and why they want to lead. It also helps ensure they understand the purpose and message of your ministry before stepping into a leadership role.

Leaders often use this as a starting point for conversations, discernment, and development, not just as a form to collect.

Student Leadership (Editable Document)
Student Leadership Application (PDF)

“Great leadership starts with clarity, not assumptions.”

Model Student Covenant

This covenant helps define what it means to be a student leader in your group. It clearly communicates expectations, both in character and commitment, and gives students a chance to step in with understanding and ownership. Because it’s customizable, you can adapt it to fit your local context, adding practical expectations that make sense for your team.

Many leaders use this as part of training or onboarding, helping students not just say “yes” to leadership, but understand what they’re saying yes to.

Model Student Covenant (Editable Document)

Next Step

Review these documents and choose one to use with your leadership team this semester: