{"id":204,"date":"2022-11-21T16:49:46","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T16:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/campus.cru.org\/mission-trips\/summer\/?page_id=204"},"modified":"2026-04-14T14:38:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:38:51","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/campus.cru.org\/mission-trips\/summer\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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About<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Christian Summer Mission Trips from Cru<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Imagine a summer that could impact cities, countries and continents around the globe while also forever transforming your life \u2013 a summer that propels you into a deeper walk with God and gives you greater confidence in making Him known, a summer that develops your leadership skills and begins friendships you\u2019ll take with you throughout your entire life.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cru Knows Students. Cru Knows Missions.<\/h4>

Summer Mission Trips are designed with you, the student, in mind.<\/span><\/p>

With many years of experience in mission trips, we know your strengths, we know your busy schedule, and we know you are ready and able to impact the world.<\/span><\/p>

Cru leaders don\u2019t just lead the trip but are focused on pouring into you as you pour into others \u2013 guiding you, training you, and encouraging you. Our experience on campus and our dedicated global partnerships with local ministries translate to an experience that will be significant to both you and the mission.<\/span><\/p>

God urges us to pursue a relationship with Him and have faith that produces action.<\/h4>

Maybe that\u2019s already a reality in your life or perhaps it\u2019s something you want to be true of yourself. God wants you to grow this summer.<\/span><\/p>

Why not put yourself in an environment that will accelerate your growth?<\/h4>

Pray. Ask God to show you how He wants you to accelerate your faith this summer. Where can you get invested in an authentic community, evangelism training and experience, hear about God\u2019s heart for the lost, a Bible study that will challenge you, Encouraging discipleship, and worshipful moments?<\/span><\/p>

Come be part of something extraordinary this summer!<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Go with a team of other students<\/h3>

Depending on your location, you could wake up to the sound of crashing waves, or the sight of sunbeams reflected by frost-laden mountains or glass and steel skyscrapers all summer long. Depending on which trip you pick, you\u2019ll live with 10-30 (international) or 30-150 students (stateside) in apartments, hotel rooms, dorms or a huge house. Your roommates and fellow students will become some of your closest friends \u2013 the community developed on a summer mission is truly unmatched.<\/span><\/p>

Grow closer to God<\/h3>

Summer Missions are known for challenging students to pursue a deep, life-long personal walk with God. You\u2019ll be encouraged to make your personal time with God a top priority. An eager team of Cru Leaders will help you achieve this by offering accountability and support as you learn about God\u2019s character and His Word. You will also be exploring Scripture in weekly gatherings and small group Bible studies that dive deep, and are faith-building and applicable to your everyday life. You will leave amazed at how much God has taught you in a few short weeks!<\/span><\/p>

Experience the meaning of community<\/h3>

Deep, life-long friendships are often the result of the grace and truth-filled community environments of a Summer Mission. You\u2019ll live with anywhere from 10-150 of your peers from schools across the nation. All of you will have come together in the pursuit of growing in your walks with God and making Him known. This is community at its best.<\/span><\/p>

Learn how to lead<\/h3>

Summer Missions are designed to develop you as a leader. You get to be hands-on with all sorts of different ministry opportunities. You\u2019ll leave with a solid Biblical foundation and practical ministry skills. The hope is that you will leave your summer mission an effective Christ-centered leader both on your campus and in your work field that God calls you to after school.<\/span><\/p>

Bring the gospel to people who need Jesus<\/h3>

During the summer, you will be involved in connecting with your summer missions’ unique ministry focus, the communities you will be serving during this summer have been strategically chosen for each location.<\/span><\/p>

At many stateside summer mission locations your ministry focus includes serving coworkers and the local community on the job. For other locations, the ministry focus could be people who live in the surrounding community, classmates, students attending a nearby university or with visiting tourists. Whatever your ministry focus, you will be trained to love those people well, serve them and share your faith with them. Imagine sharing the love of Christ with beachgoers, students on an international campus, fellow hotel housekeepers, to national park guests\u2014who knows who you\u2019ll meet this summer!<\/span><\/p>

See the world through God’s eyes<\/h3>

Cru Leaders will be spiritual mentors who will help deepen your walk with the Lord through sharing ministry experiences with you and simply doing life alongside you. You can look forward to spending time with other students in small groups, studying God\u2019s Word and exploring His longing for the nations to know Him.<\/span><\/p>

Learn to articulate the gospel to anyone, anywhere<\/h3>

Over the course of the summer, you\u2019ll be trained in sharing your faith with non-believers and believers. You\u2019ll gain practical skills to help you apply Jesus\u2019 teachings to your own life and learn how to pass them on to others. You\u2019ll spend dedicated time to practice what you learn, and become confident in talking with anyone, anywhere, anytime.<\/span><\/p>

Get a job<\/h3>

Yes, you heard right\u2013you can get a <\/span>job<\/span><\/i> at certain U.S. Summer Mission locations! Check out each location’s page for more details..<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Travel, housing, food, ministry supplies, and mission activities are all factored into the cost of each trip.<\/span><\/p>

The overall cost varies for each Summer Mission location and length. Check out each location’s page for more details.<\/span><\/p>

Here is the big thing we want you to know: God faithfully provides for what He calls us to do!<\/h3>

Funding a Mission Trip is different. Unlike a high school band trip or personal educational experience, this is God\u2019s mission and God\u2019s people will be sending you through their prayers and financial contributions. Don\u2019t plan to pay for this trip all out of your own pocket \u2013 create space for God to provide for you in this faith-growing way.<\/span><\/p>

I know it sounds hard to believe\u2014but fellow believers are called and want to give to missionaries (like yourself) who are going to reach others with the gospel.<\/span><\/p>

Think of it this way: If you don\u2019t ask people to support you with prayer and finances, you are denying them the opportunity to invest in God\u2019s kingdom. By seeking support, you are no longer representing yourself\u2014but the whole body of Christ. His Church is behind you as you go to the world with His good news.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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This summer will transform the way you think about work. It\u2019s no longer punching in, getting things done, and then clocking out so you can do what you want. On various Summer Missions with Cru across the United States you can get a job \u2013 not only to make money \u2013 but also to make an impact at your workplace.<\/span><\/p>

Beyond the spiritual growth, outreaches, and community that go with Summer Missions, you will be trained in how to effectively develop relationships at your workplace, have spiritual conversations, and connect with those who don\u2019t know Jesus. Your workplace is a part of your mission field.<\/span><\/p>

This will equip you well to reach your workspaces after summer mission!<\/span><\/p>

Whether you are called to be an engineer, nurse, business executive, or teacher, you are called as God\u2019s ambassador wherever you work and live. Learn the skills necessary to fulfill both callings.<\/h3>

Internships for college credit are also an option while on a summer mission or you can even intern with Cru.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Once you\u2019ve been accepted to a summer mission trip with Cru\u00ae, one of your big next steps of faith is trusting God to provide the financial resources needed for your mission.<\/p>\n

Here are some frequently asked questions when it comes to developing a team of ministry partners who will help you participate in a summer mission or other short-term mission trip with Cru.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t expect you to do this alone! We provide tools and resources to help along the way, and your summer mission leadership is available to help, too. If you don\u2019t see your question below, reach out to summer.missions@cru.org<\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Jump to a specific question from here:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. What is Ministry Partner Development\u00ae?<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Why does Cru\u00ae require me to raise support?<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. How do I do it?<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Who do I ask?<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. How do I talk to my parents about my plans?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    What is Ministry Partner Development\u00ae?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

    Ministry Partner Development\u00ae (MPD\u00ae) is simply inviting others to partner with you and your ministry through prayer and financial support. Other organizations use terms like support-raising or fundraising, and while that is an element of MPD, at Cru we consider those who give as more than \u201cdonors\u201d or \u201csupporters\u201d \u2014 we\u2019re inviting people into gospel partnership. Together, we are participating in the Great Commission! Through Ministry Partner Development, you are trusting God for His provision as His people give of His resources to accomplish His redemptive purpose.<\/p>\n

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    Why does Cru\u00ae require me to raise support?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

    Ministry Partner Development serves a practical and spiritual need. Practically speaking, you\u2019ll need money to cover costs of travel and living expenses while on your mission trip. By inviting others to partner with you in meeting this financial need, you allow them to participate in God\u2019s work through you, expanding the impact of your mission trip.<\/p>\n

    Furthermore, God calls His people to be generous, just as He is generous: \u201cFor you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich,\u201d (2 Corinthians 8:9, New International Version). When we invite others to partner in God\u2019s mission, we invite them to practice generosity and grow in their own relationship with Jesus.<\/p>\n

    MPD also develops your faith and communication skills. As you share about what God has called you to, you\u2019ll need to share and ask clearly (don\u2019t worry, we have many resources to help you do this!). MPD requires you to step out in faith, initiate in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results to God. You will see God provide in surprising ways, and your faith will grow along the way.<\/p>\n

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    How do I do it?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

    For summer mission trips and short-term mission trips, we recommend a five-step process:<\/p>\n

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    1. Namestorm.<\/li>\n
    2. Write your letter.<\/li>\n
    3. Follow up.<\/li>\n
    4. Thank.<\/li>\n
    5. Report back.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Namestorm<\/h4>\n

      First, you\u2019ll brainstorm names of people you know \u2014 we call this \u201cnamestorming.\u201d At this point, don\u2019t rule anyone out! Write down every name that comes to mind.<\/p>\n

      Write your letter<\/h4>\n

      Once you have a list of contacts, your next step is to write a one-page letter inviting people to partner with you. Be sure to clearly communicate your vision, calling, and an invitation to partnership. You can use these sample letters<\/a><\/span> as a template.<\/p>\n

      Follow up<\/h4>\n

      A little bit after sending your letter, you can begin following up with people. You might find that people have decided to give generously after receiving your letter, without a second connection from you, and that is wonderful! But many people need a reminder after receiving a letter, so a simple, gracious follow up text, email, or phone call can make a big difference.<\/p>\n

      Thank<\/h4>\n

      Send a thank you note to each of your ministry partners for partnering with you. Thanking others helps us grow in gratitude for what God is doing in our lives and all He has given to us. It also ministers to those who give generously. When someone gives something to us, they aren\u2019t often looking for thanks; but when they receive thanks, it brings joy to their heart.<\/p>\n

      Report back<\/h4>\n

      Toward the end of your trip or after you get home, send a short one-page update on how you saw God work on your summer mission. Many summer missions will create a \u201csummer mission newsletter\u201d that you can personalize and send out. This honors the Lord and encourages your partners to know how their partnership made a difference!<\/p>\n

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      Who do I ask?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

      First, ask God to bring the right people to mind. Then, when putting together your list of contacts, write down every person you think of without ruling anyone out. God will surprise you with who He calls to partner with you, and you don\u2019t want to exclude anyone from the opportunity of participating in His work!<\/p>\n

      As you \u201cnamestorm,\u201d here are some categories to think through: family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, advisors, mentors, family friends, church friends, Cru staff and co-workers.<\/p>\n

      For more ideas, look through your social media accounts and see who liked your most recent post or wished you a happy birthday, scroll through your phone contacts to see if anyone stands out, or consider asking close friends and family who they recommend you send a letter to.<\/p>\n

      As you prepare your mailing list, you might be tempted to exclude people, but resist that temptation and ask boldly! Most often, those who receive an invitation to partner are honored to be included, and excited to hear how you\u2019re trusting God with your summer. We want to give as many as possible the opportunity to partner in God\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n

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      How do I talk to my parents about my plans?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

      Family dynamics can be complicated, and everyone\u2019s experience is different. If you\u2019re worried about what your parents will think of your plans to go on summer mission with Cru, reach out to a Cru staff member on your campus or leading your summer mission. They can help you navigate those conversations with grace and faith.<\/p>\n

      If your parents have concerns, we have an information page for parents<\/a><\/span> that shares helpful context and answers to those questions.<\/p>\n

      Above all, remember to ask God for a humble posture when talking with your parents. Share how God has used Cru in your life, and why you feel called to go on a summer mission. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead the conversation and quiet any fears you may have.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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