Mission Trip Application

To go on a Crossroads Missions trip without a chaperone, you must be at least 16+ years old. Younger students are still encouraged to go and may be asked to bring a personal chaperone with them such as a parent, youth pastor, etc.

We accept applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you applied for a trip and it fills up before you have the chance to send in your acceptance packet (which secures your spot on a team), then you will be asked if you would like to join one of our other teams that still has space available. If you are not interested in any of the other trips at that time, then your completed application will be kept on file for one calendar year. If at any point during that time you would like to go on another trip, then you could contact us and we would transfer your information to the open trip of your choice.

 Unfortunately, Crossroads Missions is a non-profit organization and cannot issue refunds. Once you have paid a deposit or any additional amount, those funds are non-refundable. However, any raised funds that were not used for other trip expenses can be applied toward another mission trip within the same calendar year.

 Once the financial contract is signed, you are responsible for fulfilling the contract and paying for the trip. This obligation exists because we will have already paid for your airfare and in-country reservations. If you have fundraised more than the cost of airfare and in-country reservations, any remaining funds may be applied to another mission trip within the same calendar year.

If Crossroads Missions has received more money for your trip than is needed, then you have the opportunity to send in receipts for things such as immunizations, your passport, travel expenses, etc. and we can reimburse you for them. However, as a non-profit organization, we cannot issue cash refunds. If you do not use your extra money for other trip expenses, it will go to the general mission trip fund that will help others on the trip that are having a harder time raising their funds.

If a participant is traveling internationally without a phone plan, the team leader is happy to assist with contacting loved ones as needed. Family members can be given the team leader’s contact information during the trip orientation in case they need to share urgent information with a participant.

We would never send a team to a location if we felt it put our participants’ lives at risk in any sense. We do not allow participants to go anywhere alone or without a leader while on the trip.

We encourage participants to try to get donations for as much of their trip as possible. The money that you raise will cover everything from the time you begin the trip to when you get back. This includes airfare, food, housing, materials, and any extra expenses or tourist activities that we may do as a team. The only extra money you would need would be for extra food in the airports or any souvenirs that you might like to buy in-country. For countries that require a visa, the price of a visa is NOT included in the total trip price.

Yes! All donors will receive a tax receipt at the end of the year documenting all of their donations to the ministry within that fiscal period.

Generally, our team leaders are individuals who have had a long history with our ministry. We have served with them on several other international mission trips and trust in their ability to lead a team effectively overseas. We always insure that the team leader has an appropriate knowledge of the country and culture and can adequately share that with the members of their team.

Great question! Here are some ways you can begin preparing to serve on a CKM team.

Grab coffee with someone you know (or ask your church to connect you with someone) that has served on a team before and ask questions about their travel experience (what they wished they packed!), their ministry opportunities, and what the Lord showed them through serving. Take notes!

Do some research about the country, or state, where you will be serving. What is the primary language? What are some major cultural differences you see? Do they drive on the left or right side of the road?

If you live in or around a city, find a local restaurant that serves international cuisine! You may be able to find food from where you will be going, if not, just experience an international meal and flavors that are new to you! It will be great practice!

We recommend taking some time to read on your own as well. You could commit to studying and reading the Book of James (a personal recommendation) or reading, Serving with Eyes Wide Open by David A. Livermore. You can find this book on Amazon.

Crossroads recommends that you have Hepatitis A and B vaccinations and an up-to-date Tetanus. We also encourage participants to set up an appointment with their family doctor. The most up to date list for recommend vaccinations for international travel can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website.

Because each trip has unique needs and dress codes, we provide a customized, trip-specific packing list. You will receive this list no later than two months before your departure.

You’ll have standard “western-style” toilets at your overnight housing and in most places you visit. In some family homes or more rural areas, you may encounter what we affectionately call a “squatty potty.” It’s all part of the experience! We also recommend packing a small supply of toilet paper, as some restrooms may not have it readily available.

You are in charge of getting yourself to the departure city for team orientation the day prior to your trip departure listed on the website.Transportation to orientation is not included in the trip cost listed on the website.

We will provide housing if needed that night and transportation to the designated airport for your flight. Our teams fly out of Charlotte, NC or Atlanta, GA. Your itinerary will be emailed to you during training, but feel free to contact us sooner if you need to make travel arrangements!

Once we land at our destination we will have our host family there waiting to take us to where we will be sleeping for the duration of our trip.

Orientation takes place prior to you leaving for your trip. The location for your Trip Orientation will either be at the CKM office here in Anderson, SC or in your departure city. You will be notified of your mandatory orientation location once you are accepted for your trip. There you will learn the details of your trip, as well as be able to bond with your team prior to departure.

Be prepared for different foods that may be outside of your comfort zone. You will have three meals a day and have the opportunity to experience food from another culture! Remember in most cultures it is polite to eat whatever is fed to you, so be willing to try things at least once!

For the majority of our trips you will be provided a twin-size mattress to sleep on.

While we can’t guarantee the water will always be piping hot, you’ll have access to a shower each day of the trip!

Electricity is generally available but can be inconsistent at times. Your team leader will let you know during your pre-trip Zoom meeting or before departure if you’ll need to bring any adapters for your devices.

Because electricity can be unreliable and wattage and outlet types differ overseas, we strongly discourage bringing unnecessary electronic devices. We also encourage you to take this opportunity to truly “unplug” during your time away while serving—so please leave items like hair dryers, straighteners, computers, and similar devices at home. We do understand, however, that you may wish to have your cell phone for occasional communication with family while traveling.

You are welcome to wash clothes in the sink or other water source provided. That said, we encourage packing light and re-wearing clothing when possible.

We will be using in country ministry provided vehicles, with the exception of possible local transportation.