Every believer is called to go and show God’s love, whether to a neighbor across the street or to someone on the other side of the world. Our Go Trips are one of the ways you can get involved in what God is doing far beyond the walls of our church. Whether you want to go serve in another country and culture or make a difference right here in the U.S., there’s a Go Trip for you.
More Than a Mission Trip
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “mission trip”? The answer to that question can vary widely, so we want you to know what our Go Trips are really about and what sets them apart from other mission trips you might be familiar with.
- Extended Impact: On our Go Trips, you will serve alongside missionaries and ministries whom Stonebriar supports year-round, so the reach and connections formed extend far beyond the few days of the trip.
- Training & Discipleship: As a Go Trip team member, you will receive training that will not only prepare you for the trip itself, but help you grow spiritually and equip you to live missionally in your everyday life when you return.
- Servant-Hearted Perspective: We approach the people we meet on our Go Trips with deep respect, coming to humbly serve others as the Lord leads us.
To learn more about what to expect on our Go Trips, select a trip below to see details, or reach out to our Missional Living ministry team at ML@stonebriar.org.
Upcoming 2024 Go Trips
Mexico
May 27–June 2
Teach kids about Jesus by leading an English-learning outreach camp in Poza Rica, Mexico. This Go Trip is only for students in grades 9–12 and their chaperones.
Kenya
June 30–July 12
Serve alongside the ministries of Naomi’s Village to help care for orphans and transform lives in Mai Mahiu, Kenya.
New Mexico
July 14–22
Spend a week serving families of the Navajo Nation in Shiprock, New Mexico. This Go Trip is only for students in grades 9–12 and their chaperones.
Poland
July 18–28
Lead an English-learning outreach camp for kids and teens in the village of Mogilno, Poland.
Ireland
October 4–14
Host a retreat for Galway City Baptist Church at Castledaly Manor between Galway and Dublin, Ireland.
How to Apply
- Pray to the Lord and decide about going on a trip.
- Apply online for your chosen trip.
- Pay the deposit to secure your spot (once your application is approved).
- Prepare for the trip by raising support, attending training meetings, reading your Go Trip devotional, and planning logistics.
- Go on the trip!
- Respond by reflecting on the trip, following up with connections, telling your story, and using what you learned to continue showing God’s love to those around you.
Go Trip FAQs
To support you as you fundraise for your Go Trip, our Missional Living team has put together this Fundraising Packet, which provides the why of fundraising, suggestions for how to do it, a sample fundraising letter, and social media templates for your use.
All financial contributions you or your supporters make toward your trip total (the “fundraising goal” listed for your chosen Go Trip) are considered donations to Stonebriar Community Church’s Missional Living Ministry.
Your Go Trip team leader will provide you with a contribution schedule. The final contribution is due at the last training session before your trip.
A $100 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of application approval to reserve your spot on the team.
- 25% is due at the first training.
- 50% is due at the second training.
- 75% is due at the third training.
- 100% is due at the fourth training.
Not every trip is the same, so some of the inclusions can vary, but for the most part, your fundraising goal total will include:
- A background check
- Flights to and from the final destination
- International travel insurance
- All food, transportation, and accommodations while on location (excluding a couple meals out during free time, which will be listed in your trip details)
- Any group activity or outreach that is part of the trip itinerary
Ministry expenses (supplies, training costs, T-shirts, etc.)
Outside of what you personally contribute or fundraise toward the stated total for your trip, expenses you will cover separately may include:
- Immunizations and other medications (malaria prevention, indigestion, etc.)
- Passport expenses (renewal, purchase, picture, etc.) and Travel Visa
- Transportation to and from DFW international airport (before and after the trip)
- Cultural excursions and personal shopping (souvenirs, activities outside the itinerary, etc.)
- Extra meals or snacks during travel or while at the airport
- Flight weather delay, natural disaster or emergency costs for additional lodging, meals, or expenses
- The cost to print and mail fundraising letters
Each Go Trip team member is expected to fully participate in the preparation process and all scheduled meetings before the trip date. If a team member misses ALL scheduled team meetings, they will be unable to travel on the trip. The airline seat will be released, and the participant will forfeit the $100 non-refundable deposit. Any funds contributed toward a Go Trip at Stonebriar Community Church are considered a donation and therefore are non-refundable. This money will NOT be designated to the General Fund but will be considered a donation to the Missional Living ministry account.
During your fundraising process, should you receive more donations than you need, you have the following options:
- Funds can be used for a future trip.
- Funds can be transferred to another team member going on your trip.
- Funds can be used for in-country needs for your trip (ex: Bibles, craft supplies, etc.)
Excess funds will not be designated unless you provide a written request for one of the above to our Missional Living staff. If there is no request, funds will be re-designated at the end of the year for future Stonebriar short-term mission trips.
All funds contributed to Stonebriar Community Church are tax deductible and cannot be returned. Cancellation of one’s trip will forfeit the $100 non-refundable deposit. Personal financial contributions to your trip are tax deductible as per IRS Publication 526 under the heading “Travel.” No significant element of performing services during the expedition is for “personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation,” so you may deduct personal donations to Stonebriar Community Church for your Go Trip. Stonebriar Community Church recommends you consult a CPA for further questions.
Each Go Trip application will be reviewed by the Missional Living Pastor and the Go Trip Team Lead. Applicants may not be approved due to medical history, criminal background, prior trip concerns, or other circumstances.
More Ways to Reach the Nations
- Pray for Stonebriar-supported missionaries who serve around the world.
- Explore ways to serve locally and impact the nations near and far on our main Missional Living page.
- Find prayer guides, resources, and missionary stories on our Pray for the Nations page.
Missional Living Team
Keith Tyler
Lead Pastor—Missional Living
keitht@stonebriar.org
Karen Hawkins
Pastoral Leader—Community Care
karenh@stonebriar.org
Jennifer Whitson
Ministry Leader—Missional Living
jenw@stonebriar.org
Michelle Flores
Ministry Coordinator—Missional Living
michellef@stonebriar.org
Julie Lyon
Ministry Coordinator—Community Care
juliel@stonebriar.org
If you have any questions about Missional Living or want help deciding where to start, please reach out to us at ml@stonebriar.org. We look forward to meeting and serving alongside of you.