June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

Short-Term Missions as Formation

From the beginning, Jesus’ followers have been called into a worldwide mission. As Luke records Jesus’ final words to his disciples:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

We are both the fruit of that witness (imagine the gospel traveling from Jerusalem all the way to a continent the disciples didn’t even know existed!) and participants in the same calling. While not all of us are called to go to the ends of the earth, all of us are called to support that vision.

Some people struggle with the idea of short-term mission trips. They ask important questions such as:

How much good can I really do in a week?
Aren’t people within a culture better equipped to share the gospel than I am?
Isn’t this an inefficient use of resources and money?

Each of these questions contains truths that we need to consider carefully in how we approach mission. However, they also reflect an assumption: that the purpose of mission is only about what we accomplish at our destination during a short visit.

The idea of short-term mission trips actually originates with Jesus. We read in Luke 9:

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” (Luke 9:1–2)

The disciples go, and when they return, Jesus gives them further instruction. Then He sends out a larger group of seventy-two disciples to do the same thing (Luke 10). When they return, their hearts are filled with excitement over what God has done through them.

“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’” (Luke 10:17)

Why did Jesus send out these disciples?

They didn’t yet have the full story to share—Jesus’ cross and resurrection were still in the future. They didn’t yet have the full power to proclaim it—the Holy Spirit had not yet been given at Pentecost. So what was the purpose of these short-term trips?

The answer is found in Acts 1. By the time the disciples received their calling to be Christ’s witnesses to the ends of the earth, these earlier journeys had already taught them what that meant. They were formed to be lifelong witnesses through seasons of focused witness.

I remember voicing questions about short-term missions to an older friend who had spent much of his life on the mission field. He agreed that the concerns were valid, but then said, “Let me tell you how I sensed a call to missions.”

He described a short-term trip he took as a college student—an experience that completely transformed his understanding of God’s mission. It put him on the path that had defined his life Then he added, “I don’t know many missionaries who didn’t catch their vision on a short-term mission trip.”

At CFCI, there are many reasons we support short-term trips, both in the United States and around the world. We seek to conduct them in ways that thoughtfully address the concerns mentioned above. There is real value in the work our teams accomplish.

But we also support them because we believe in their transformative power for those who go. Mission is formation. Going out—even for a short time—teaches us how to live as witnesses for Jesus wherever He has placed us. And sometimes, it opens our hearts to a new and unexpected calling that changes the course of our lives.

June 1, 2026

June Letter from the President

I’ve seen a pattern over the years in Scripture, in my own life, and through the ministry of CFCI around the world. God often calls us forward before we feel ready. He invites us to trust Him in uncertainty, to take steps of obedience without having all the answers, and to follow Him even when fear is still present.

We see this lived out every day through our missionaries. They step into unfamiliar places, build relationships across cultures, and engage complex challenges. They don’t do it because it’s easy, but because they believe God has called them. And in that obedience, something deeper happens. They don’t just participate in God’s work; they grow in their understanding of His faithfulness. They discover greater clarity in their purpose and experience a deeper walk with Him.

This is not just the story of missionaries. It is the invitation extended to every follower of Christ. Each of us faces moments where we must choose between what feels comfortable and what God is asking of us. In those moments, obedience becomes the pathway not only to impact, but to knowing God more fully.

This message of faithful obedience is one that we’ll be leaning into in a special way this fall at our Fueling Transformation Gala in Omaha on November 10, 2026. We are honored to welcome Kent Chevalier as our featured speaker. As the author of Do It Afraid and chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kent brings a powerful combination of personal story and biblical insight, challenging each of us to trust God beyond what feels comfortable and to step forward in faithful obedience.

It will be an evening not only to celebrate what God is doing through CFCI around the world, but also to be encouraged and equipped in our own walk with Him. I hope you can join us!

May 19, 2026June 2, 2026

Fundraising Is Ministry (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

If we’re honest, most of us don’t naturally associate fundraising with something sacred.

It can feel awkward. Transactional. Like we’re asking for something instead of offering something.

But what if that’s not actually what’s happening?

In A Spirituality of Fundraising, Henri J. M. Nouwen gently challenges that tension. He reframes fundraising not as a necessary burden, but as a form of ministry—an invitation into something deeper.

Not a transaction.
A relationship.

Not pressure.
An opportunity.

Not about money.
About participation in God’s work.

An Invitation, Not an Ask

At its core, fundraising is simply this: inviting people to be part of what God is already doing.

It’s easy to think we’re asking someone to give something up.
But in reality, we’re inviting them to step into something eternal.

When we share stories of transformation—lives changed, hope restored, communities renewed—we’re not selling a cause.

We’re opening a door.

And when someone walks through it, they’re not just writing a check.

They’re saying yes to being part of the story God is writing.

Why It Feels So Hard

If fundraising feels uncomfortable, it’s often because we’ve believed something untrue about it.

Maybe we’ve thought:

“I’m bothering people.”
“They’re going to say no.”
“This is about money, not ministry.”

But Nouwen reminds us that these thoughts miss the heart of it.

Fundraising is grounded in the belief that:

God is already at work.
People want to live with purpose and generosity.
We get to connect the two.

That’s not pressure—that’s partnership.

Ministry Happens on Both Sides

One of the most beautiful ideas Nouwen shares is that fundraising doesn’t just bless the ministry—it blesses the giver.

Because giving is never just about the resource.
It’s about transformation.

When someone gives, they’re aligning their heart with what matters most.
They’re choosing faith over fear.
They’re investing in something that lasts.

That’s spiritual formation.

That’s discipleship.

That’s ministry.

And sometimes, this invitation isn’t just something we extend—it’s something we step into ourselves.

For Those Preparing to Go

And sometimes, this invitation isn’t just something we extend—it’s something we step into ourselves.

If you’re getting ready to step onto a Global Team, this might be the part that feels the hardest.

Raising support can feel vulnerable.

You might wonder:

What if people say no?
What if I don’t raise enough?
What if this feels… uncomfortable?

But what if fundraising isn’t standing on the outside, asking people to send you?

What if it’s standing in the middle of what God is doing—and inviting others to come with you?

You’re not asking people to fund a trip.

You’re inviting them to take part in ministry they may never physically step into—but can still be deeply part of.

So We Keep Inviting

At Christ For the City International, we’ve seen this firsthand.

Every trip taken.
Every ministry launched.
Every life impacted.

None of it happens alone.

It happens because people say yes—yes to going, yes to serving, and yes to giving.

So we keep inviting.

Because fundraising was never just about provision.

It’s about participation in the work of God.

Whether you’re called to go or to give, there’s a place for you in this story.

👉 Explore Global Teams
👉 Become a financial partner

May 11, 2026

What Happens When a Family Says “Yes” to Missions Together?

For Roeland, Anna, and their daughter Diana, missions wasn’t just a personal calling.

It became a shared “yes.”

After participating in several short-term mission trips, the family from the Netherlands began sensing God leading them into something deeper. They wanted to go beyond a brief outreach experience and spend a longer season serving wherever God opened the door.

That journey eventually led them to Zimbabwe through Christ For the City International’s Global Ambassador program.

“We were convinced that we had to go to Zimbabwe,” they shared. “And because of that, we had complete confidence that God would show us what we were supposed to do there.”

What began as online research and conversations with CFCI slowly became confirmation after confirmation that Zimbabwe was where they were meant to go. The doors kept opening. God kept guiding.

And eventually, they stepped through those doors together.

Missions as a Family

For many people, the idea of serving on a mission trip as a family can feel intimidating.

What about the logistics?
What about finances?
What about comfort zones, schedules, or uncertainty?

But for Roeland, Anna, and Diana, serving together became one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to serve and to be able to do so together as a family,” they said.

And while Diana is an adult with previous experience doing development work in Africa, their story still reflects something powerful: family mission trips matter at every stage of life.

Families don’t have to look one specific way to serve together.

Sometimes it’s parents and young children.
Sometimes it’s siblings.
Sometimes it’s adult children joining their parents in ministry.
Sometimes it’s an entire church family stepping into missions side by side.

What matters most is simply being willing to say yes together.

Their family even launched a project called Source of Hope, making themselves available for months at a time to bring practical help, encouragement, and hope to people in Zimbabwe.

Learning Patience and Trust

Like many missionaries and short-term teams experience, the beginning wasn’t about jumping immediately into projects and activity.

It was about slowing down.

Listening.
Learning.
Adjusting.

“For Diana, the beginning took some getting used to,” they shared. “There was first a period of discovery and visiting all the projects. Her patience was put to the test.”

But in that waiting, clarity came.

Diana eventually found herself deeply involved at a boys’ orphanage, serving through her background as a social worker and investing personally in the lives of the children there.

For the entire family, one of the greatest lessons God has been teaching them is patience and dependence on Him.

“You want to get started and get to work right away,” they said. “But first we had to take time to settle in and get our bearings.”

They also shared that one of the hardest parts of becoming Global Ambassadors was trusting God financially.

“It was quite a big step to choose something while not having the full finances for it.”

Yet even there, God has continued to provide.

The Moments That Change You

Mission trips are rarely remembered because of itineraries or schedules.

They’re remembered because of people.

For Roeland, one unforgettable moment happened after inviting two boys from an orphanage to a men’s breakfast gathering.

One of the boys later said:
“I feel alive.”

“That really resonated with me,” Roeland shared. “He experienced the Holy Spirit within him, and he can carry that with him despite his circumstances.”

For Anna, it was serving at a ministry called Healing with Horses, where children with physical and intellectual disabilities are given the opportunity to ride horses.

“There was a girl there who was so enthusiastic about being allowed to ride again,” Anna said. “Her eyes sparkled with joy.”

For Diana, one of the most impactful moments came during a home visit in the slums of Bulawayo, where they met a mother raising her four children while also caring for two adopted children — including one child abandoned because of severe disabilities.

“A harrowing situation,” Diana shared, “but also a miraculous choice by a mother who can barely make ends meet in poverty, yet still takes on the care of another person’s child.”

These are the kinds of moments where you don’t just see the needs of the world — you encounter the heart of Jesus in a way that leaves fingerprints on your heart forever.

You Don’t Have to Do Everything Alone

One of the beautiful things their family discovered is that missions together doesn’t mean everyone has to do the exact same thing.

“You don’t have to do everything together,” they explained. “It’s important to let each other play to your strengths.”

That’s true for families.
It’s true for teams.
It’s true for churches.

Every person brings something unique.

Some teach.
Some build relationships.
Some organize.
Some pray.
Some lead worship.
Some encourage.
Some simply show up willing to serve.

And God uses all of it.

A Shared Mission

When asked what they would say to families or teams considering missions together, their answer was simple: “It starts with opening yourself up to the Lord.”

They encouraged people not to wait until they feel perfectly prepared, but to simply begin somewhere — even with a short-term trip.

“It brings you closer together because you have a shared goal and build memories together. It is a unique experience.”

That’s the beauty of missions.

Whether you go as a family, a group of friends, a church team, a youth group, or as an individual joining others on the field, God uses shared experiences to transform hearts.

Not just the people being served.
But the people serving too.

Because sometimes the greatest transformation happens when ordinary people simply make themselves available to God.

And then watch what He does next.

Interested in serving on a mission trip, Urban Plunge, or becoming a Global Ambassador?

Visit www.cfci.org/go to explore opportunities to serve around the world.

April 27, 2026April 20, 2026

Your Church was Made for Mission: 5 Ways to Partner with Christ For the City International

At Christ For the City International, we believe the Church was never meant to stay inside four walls. From the very beginning, God called His people to live on mission—loving their neighbors, serving their communities, and bringing the hope of Jesus to the nations.

Churches play a vital role in that mission.

Whether your congregation is passionate about going, giving, praying, or mobilizing others, there are meaningful ways to partner with what God is doing through CFCI around the world.

Here are five simple ways your church can be part of the story.

1. Go on a Mission Trip

One of the most powerful ways a church can engage in missions is by going together.

Mission trips allow youth groups, college ministries, young adults, small groups, families, and entire congregations to step outside their normal rhythms and serve alongside local ministries around the world.

Through Urban Plunge trips in U.S. cities and Global Teams serving internationally, churches can:

• Share the Gospel
• Serve practical needs in communities
• Encourage and support local leaders
• Grow in faith and unity as a team

There’s something powerful about taking what God is doing inside the church walls and living it out together in the world.

2. Give to the Mission

Missions move forward because of faithful generosity.

When churches give to the vision of Christ For the City International, they help sustain ministry happening every day in cities and communities across the globe.

Your giving fuels discipleship, leadership development, outreach, and compassionate service through our international bases.

Our vision remains bold:

No place without a witness.
No church without a vision.
No person without hope.

And we continue to believe God is inviting us to help create environments where 1 million lives can be forever changed through the ministry of CFCI.

When your church gives, you’re investing in transformation that reaches far beyond what any one team or trip could accomplish.

Become a financial partner!

3. Pray for the Mission

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways your church can partner in missions.

Across the world, CFCI teams are serving communities, discipling believers, and sharing the hope of Jesus in places that often require courage, perseverance, and faith.

Your prayers provide encouragement, protection, and spiritual covering for missionaries, national leaders, and the people they serve.

Consider setting aside time to pray for:

• CFCI missionaries and global staff
• The communities being served
• Open hearts to the Gospel
• Future leaders being raised up

When the Church prays, God moves.

4. Mobilize Your People

Sometimes the greatest impact a church can have is simply inviting people into the mission.

You can help mobilize others by:

• Sharing mission trip opportunities with your congregation
• Encouraging students and young adults to explore serving abroad
• Highlighting stories of transformation from the field
• Creating moments where missions becomes part of the conversation

Many people feel called to serve—but they just need someone to point them toward the opportunity.

Your church could be the place where that calling begins.

5. Build a Long-Term Partnership

Missions are most powerful when relationships grow over time.

Some churches choose to partner more deeply with CFCI by building an ongoing relationship with one of our ministry bases or returning regularly to serve in the same location.

Over time, these partnerships allow churches to:

• Encourage and support local leaders
• See long-term impact in communities
• Send teams year after year
• Watch God work in powerful ways

What begins as a single trip can grow into a lasting Kingdom partnership.

The Invitation

The mission of God is bigger than any one church or organization. But when we work together, the impact multiplies.

Whether your church chooses to go, give, pray, mobilize, or partner, you have a role to play in bringing the hope of Jesus to cities and communities around the world.

And together, we believe it’s possible to see 1 million lives forever changed.

Ready to explore the next step for your church?

Visit cfci.org/go to learn more about mission opportunities.

April 20, 2026April 22, 2026

8 Ways to Build a Strong, Healthy Mission Team Before You Leave

Great mission trips don’t just happen on the field.

They’re built in living rooms. Around tables. In prayer circles. In honest conversations before anyone ever boards a plane.

If you want a powerful outreach experience, build a strong team first.

Here are 8 practical ways to do that.

1. Meet Regularly Before the Trip

Don’t let your first real connection happen on travel day.

Gather consistently in the weeks (or months) before you leave. Shared rhythms build trust. And trust builds unity.

2. Pray — Individually and Together

Pray for:

Each other’s families
Spiritual protection
Open doors
Local leaders you’ll serve with
Soft hearts

Prayer turns a group of individuals into a spiritual family.

3. Share Your Full Story

Take time for each team member to share their journey with Jesus — the long version.

Not the polished version. The real one.

Where did God meet you?
Where did you wrestle?
Where are you still growing?

Vulnerability builds connection faster than small talk ever will.

4. Prepare a 2-Minute Version of Your Story

Now shrink it.

Everyone should practice sharing their faith story clearly and naturally in two minutes or less — like an elevator conversation.

Better yet? Go practice.

As a team, spend one meeting going out locally to:

Start conversations
Share your story
Offer to pray for people

Practice here what you hope to do there.

5. Set Healthy Expectations

Expect God to move.

But don’t expect:

Constant emotional highs
Perfect team chemistry
A flawless schedule

A strong team decides ahead of time:

We will assume the best in each other.
We will address conflict quickly.
We will choose encouragement.

Unity doesn’t happen accidentally. It’s chosen.

6. Do the Research Together

Divide up topics and have each team member present:

Cultural norms and etiquette
Religion and spiritual landscape
History and political context
Economic realities
Key phrases in the local language
Traditional food and clothing
The history of the church in that region

When everyone contributes, everyone invests.

7. Fundraise as a Team

Don’t just fundraise — build momentum.

Host:

A car wash
A dessert or coffee night
A worship or art night
A “parents’ night out” childcare event

Fundraising together builds unity and gives supporters a chance to be part of the mission.

8. Decide Now Who You Want to Be

Before you leave, ask:

What kind of teammate do I want to be?

Quick to listen
Quick to forgive
Quick to serve
Quick to encourage

The way you show up for each other will shape the entire trip.

Ready to Build Something Bigger?

Mission trips aren’t about checking a box. They’re about living sent — wherever God places you.

If you’re ready to take your group, youth ministry, small group, or church into a deeper, hands-on experience of the Great Commission, explore Urban Plunges and Global Teams at:

👉 cfci.org/go

Because strong teams don’t just change cities.

They come home changed.

April 1, 2026March 31, 2026

Shine Your Light: What Happens When You Say “Yes” to Serving

Sometimes all it takes is a simple “yes.”

With just two weeks of planning, a group of 10 students and leaders from Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa stepped out of their normal routines and into a weekend that would challenge perspectives, deepen faith, and open their eyes to how God is moving in their own region.

Their team experienced an Urban Plunge in Omaha, Nebraska through Christ For the City International. What they found wasn’t just a trip—it was a powerful reminder of what it means to truly shine your light.

Serving, Listening, Showing Up

At The Beautiful Gate, a local ministry led by a street evangelist, the team stepped into a deteriorated storefront in a low-income neighborhood—helping prepare it for worship. They served lunch, sorted clothing and food donations, and helped distribute them to those who came.

But more than that—they listened.

They heard stories. They prayed. They experienced what it looks like to meet both physical and spiritual needs in a simple, meaningful way.

Later, at Open Door Mission, they served dinner to men, women, and children staying in temporary shelters. They spent time getting to know residents and offering prayer.

Seeing Needs Up Close

Monday morning began early at Siena Francis House, where the team served individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. They met people of all ages and backgrounds—many carrying everything they owned.

It was a perspective-shifting experience.

From there, the group visited Sozo Coffeehouse in Omaha’s Old Market—a space created to meet the needs of Gen Z by offering a safe place to gather, connect, and grow. The team joined in a 15-block prayer walk through the city, covering Omaha in prayer.

Their final stop was The Hope Center for Kids, where they helped create spaces for children to learn and play—building a pickleball court and assembling shelves for a tech room.

Simple acts of service. Meaningful impact.

What They Learned

When the weekend came to a close, the team gathered to reflect—and what they shared says it all:

“We are all similar people—just trying to survive and hopefully thrive, needing love and care.”
“Don’t take what you have for granted.”
“Service doesn’t need to be complicated.”
“Meeting basic needs shows people God’s love.”
“Church can happen anywhere.”

One truth echoed throughout it all:

You don’t have to go far to make a difference. You just have to be willing.

Your Turn to Go

Opportunities like this aren’t just for one group.

They’re for anyone willing to step out, serve others, and experience God in a new way.

Whether it’s across the street or across the world—your “yes” matters.

👉 Ready to experience an Urban Plunge?
Explore upcoming trips at cfci.org/go

March 26, 2026March 27, 2026

8 Kids. 4 Families. One Mission: Why This Group Is Saying “Yes” Together

It started with a simple desire: To be a family that serves God together.

Now, that “yes” is taking four families—7 adults and 8 kids ranging from just 9 months to 11 years old—all the way to Costa Rica.

This June, families from Valiente Dual Academy will step into something bigger than a trip. They’ll step into the global Church.

And they won’t be going empty-handed.

Learning a Language… and Living It

Valiente Dual Academy began just two years ago with a vision: create a space where children could learn Spanish through fun, connection, and culture.

Games. Crafts. Laughter. Friendship.

But beneath it all was something deeper—the belief that language opens doors.

“We wanted our kids to learn about other cultures and languages while having fun,” Savannah Vasquez, co-founder of the school, shared. “But also to connect.”

Now, those lessons are about to come alive.

“I think they’ll be surprised how much they already understand,” she said. “And inspired to keep learning so they can continue building relationships.”

Because in Costa Rica, Spanish won’t just be something they practice.

It will be how they love people.

A Bigger View of the World

For Savannah and her husband, this trip is deeply personal.

Both have served in missions and lived overseas. Those experiences shaped something foundational in them:

God’s Kingdom is global.

“When you experience other cultures at a young age,” Savannah said, “you’re less likely to believe false ideas about the world. You’ve seen it. You’ve built relationships.”

And that changes you.

It reminds you that even across languages and cultures, we’re not so different after all.

We’re all searching for purpose. For belonging.

What They’re Really Going to Learn

Yes, they’ll be leading children’s ministry.

Yes, they’ll be serving.

But that’s not the full story.

“What I’m most excited for,” Savannah shared, “is that they’ll realize missions is less about giving of yourself and more about making room for God to work in your heart.”

That shift—from doing to becoming—is where transformation happens.

She hopes each person walks away seeing people the way God does:

Not as different. Not as distant.
But as reflections of His image.

Seeing It Through a Child’s Eyes

And maybe the most powerful perspective comes from the kids themselves.

“I think it will be like helping other people and telling them about God.” – Emmanuel, 9

“Because most of the kids speak Spanish, so I can communicate with them.” – Emmanuel

“To fly on an airplane and playing games!” – Jonathan, 5

Honest. Joyful. Expectant.

Even their fears are real:

“Flying.” – Jonathan

But so is their willingness to go anyway.

It Started in the Classroom… and It Didn’t Stay There

After spending the year learning about Spanish-speaking countries, the group decided to bring Costa Rica to their community through a fundraiser event.

Coffee. Crafts. Community support.

A glimpse of what was ahead.

But the bigger picture?

This isn’t just about one trip.

It’s about a way of living.

Just Go

Savannah said it simply:

“If God is nudging you to do it—do it. He will make a way.”

That’s the invitation.

Not just for these families.

For all of us.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You don’t have to go alone.

Grab a group. Bring your family.

Go across the street.
Go across the world.

Just go.

👉 Start your trip with Christ For The City International: www.cfci.org/go

March 17, 2026March 4, 2026

Step Away from Screens: Why Urban Plunge and Global Teams Matter in a Digital World

📱 iPad. Xbox. Tik Tok. Screens everywhere. Notifications buzzing. Feeds scrolling endlessly.

It’s easy for teens’ lives—and even their faith—to get trapped in the digital world. But some experiences can’t be swiped, double-tapped, or streamed. They need to be lived.

That’s where Urban Plunge and Global Teams step in.

For a few days, a week, or longer, students trade the screen glow for sunlight, notifications for conversations, and feeds for real-life faith in action. They worship together, serve shoulder-to-shoulder, and discover what it really means to live out their faith—beyond apps, filters, and likes.

🌆 Urban Plunge: Adventure Right in Your Backyard

Urban Plunge takes students into the heart of American cities—Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Omaha, and Sioux Falls—where they serve alongside local leaders in ways that actually matter.

Think:

Food banks, homeless outreach, and mentoring kids
Prayer walks and street ministry
Community projects—painting, cleaning, or park restoration

It’s about learning boldness, creativity, and compassion… all while discovering how to be the hands and feet of Jesus right where they live.

✈️ Global Teams: Adventure with Friends Around the World

For students ready to go further, Global Teams offer an international mission alongside friends. They serve communities in Guatemala, El Salvador, Zimbabwe, and Nicaragua—partnering with local ministries who know their people best.

From evangelism to children’s ministry, construction to community projects, every moment teaches humility, teamwork, and faith in action. And the best part? Serving together bonds friends in ways nothing else can.

Why Getting Offline Changes Everything

These trips aren’t just about travel—they’re about presence.

No swiping. No scrolling. Just real people. Real stories. Real faith.

Teens discover that life is bigger than their feed. That God moves in real, messy, beautiful ways when you show up. And that serving others—whether across the street or across the globe—changes the way they see the world… and themselves.

If you want your teen to step away from screens, step into service, and step into God’s story, Urban Plunge or Global Teams might be the perfect next adventure.

👉 Learn more and sign up today: cfci.org/go

March 10, 2026March 4, 2026

Oh, the Places They’ll Go: A Graduation Gift That Shapes Who They Become

Caps fly.
Cameras flash.
Party invites stack up on the counter.

And somewhere between “We’re so proud of you” and “What’s your major again?” there’s a quieter question every senior is asking:

Who am I becoming?

Graduation gifts usually look like money in a card. A new laptop. Dorm décor. Maybe luggage for what’s next.

All good things.

But what if this year, you gave something that doesn’t wear out, power down, or get replaced in four years?

What if you gave an experience that strengthens their faith, builds their confidence, and gives them space to hear God clearly before the next big step?

At Christ For the City International, we see it every year.

When young adults step into mission — something shifts.

A Global Team: The “Trip” That Actually Changes Them

After graduation, many students plan one last big adventure with friends.

A Europe trip.
A beach week.
A “bro trip.”
A girls’ getaway.

And there’s nothing wrong with celebrating.

But what if their post-grad trip wasn’t just fun — it was formative?

A Global Team is designed to be done together.

Your graduate can go with friends, with their youth group, or build a small team of people they already trust and love.

Instead of sightseeing alone, they could spend a week or two serving alongside national missionaries in places like:

Guatemala
El Salvador
Zimbabwe
Nicaragua

They’ll participate in children’s ministry, evangelism, prayer walks, outreach, and hands-on community projects — partnering with local leaders who know their communities best.

And here’s what parents often notice afterward:

Serving together bonds friends in a different way.

When they pray together.
When they navigate another culture together.
When they step out in courage together.

The conversations go deeper. The faith becomes more personal. The friendships become stronger.

Ten years from now, they won’t just remember the laughs.

They’ll remember how God met them there.

A Global Ambassador: A Gap Year That Grounds Them

For some graduates, the invitation goes even deeper.

Not just a short-term team experience — but an intentional season set apart.

A Global Ambassador experience is more immersive. More personal. More formative.

Instead of rushing straight into college or career, what if your graduate had space to:

Live cross-culturally
Serve consistently alongside a CFCI base
Be discipled and mentored
Develop leadership and responsibility
Slow down enough to hear God clearly

They may go on their own.
Or with one close friend.

But this isn’t about group momentum.

It’s about identity.

In a culture that pressures students to “figure it out fast,” a gap year centered on Christ says:

Root yourself first.

We’ve seen students return from a Global Ambassador season more grounded, more mature, and more confident in who God created them to be.

Not because it was easy.
But because it was intentional.

Oh, the Places They’ll Go

Yes — new countries.
New cultures.
New friendships.

But more importantly:

Deeper faith.
Stronger character.
Clearer direction.

This isn’t just about geography.

It’s about formation before foundation.

Before lecture halls.
Before job interviews.
Before the pace of adulthood accelerates.

A Gift That Outlasts Graduation Season

Long after the cake is gone.
Long after the thank-you notes are written.
Long after the gift cards are spent.

An experience like this continues shaping who they become.

If you’re wondering what to give the graduate in your life this spring, consider something bold.

Give them the opportunity to go.
To serve.
To grow.
To listen.
To be stretched.
To be sent.

Explore Global Teams and Global Ambassador opportunities at:

👉 www.cfci.org/go

Because sometimes the best graduation gift isn’t something they unwrap.

It’s somewhere they go.

Faith & Spiritual Growth