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.

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.

May 7, 2026

“Go for it. You won’t regret it.”

When Josh Fenton from the United Kingdom took a career break, he knew it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream—serving on an extended mission trip. After completing a ministry training program, he joined Christ For the City International as a Global Ambassador and spent several months serving in Zimbabwe.

“There wasn’t really a typical day,” Josh said. “Some days were spent helping with renovations at Emthunzini Wethemba, other days with children at Isaiah’s Home, or in rural and street ministry. Every day was an opportunity to grow.”

One of his favorite moments came on his final day—a bonfire night with the boys at the children’s home. “We cooked, laughed, sang around the fire, and celebrated everything we’d done together. It was the perfect ending.”

Josh says the experience changed him deeply. “My biggest takeaway was the power of unconditional love—how we can be vessels for God to show that to a stranger.”

From mentoring youth to praying with Evans, a young man who started a chicken business after being paralyzed in an accident, Josh saw firsthand how God brings hope in the hardest places.

For anyone considering becoming a Global Ambassador, Josh says:

It’s one thing to read about the life of love that Jesus led—but it’s another thing to live it every day. Go for it. You won’t regret it.

Josh discovered that unconditional love can change a life—and you can too.
Whether you’re ready to serve on a Global Team, lead a group, join an Urban Plunge, or take your next step in missions, there’s a place for you to go.

Explore opportunities to live the Gospel in action → www.cfci.org/go

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 7, 2026March 10, 2026

New Culture, Same God

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
— Philippians 2:3–4

You’re headed somewhere new!

A new city. A new country. New food. New rhythms. New faces.

But stepping into another culture doesn’t just expand your passport stamps. It stretches your heart—in all the best ways.

Whether it’s the pace of life, how people greet one another, how meals are shared, or how time is viewed, you’re about to experience the beauty of doing life differently.

And here’s the good news:
New culture. Same God.

What Is Culture, Really?

Culture is how a group of people lives, thinks, works, eats, laughs—and worships.

Some parts of culture are obvious. Others are so deeply woven into daily life that you don’t even notice them… until you leave your own bubble.

God created culture. All of it. The diversity, the languages, the traditions, the expressions of worship. When we approach culture with curiosity instead of comparison, we get to see His creativity up close.

Before you go, take time to learn about the community you’ll be serving.
The more you understand, the more you’ll connect.

Look for similarities.
Learn from the differences.

Expect the Unexpected (Especially with Time)

In some places, life revolves around the clock. In others, it revolves around people.

You may discover that schedules are more flexible than you’re used to. Meetings may start later. Conversations may last longer. Plans may shift.

That’s not dysfunction—it’s a different priority system.

Pro Tip: Show up with a flexible heart. Relationships often come first.

“Me” vs. “We”

Your home culture might celebrate independence:
“I’ve got this.”

The culture you’re stepping into might emphasize interdependence:
“We’ve got this.”

Teamwork may look different. Leadership may look different. Even decision-making may feel unfamiliar.

Pro Tip: Celebrate the team. Honor the group. You’re not there to be the hero—you’re there to serve.

Plans Change. God Doesn’t.

Let’s be honest: overseas schedules can feel more like suggestions.

You might have a full day planned—and then, suddenly, everything shifts.

Instead of frustration, what if you saw flexibility as formation?

Every pivot is an opportunity to trust.

Pro Tip: Pray through the changes. God is not surprised by the detour.

Control: Internal or External?

Some cultures believe, “I make things happen.”
Others live with, “Life happens—and we adapt.”

As you serve, resist the urge to fix everything you see.

You are not the savior. Jesus already is.

Pro Tip: Pause. Pray. Partner with the Holy Spirit before you act.

A Big Picture Reminder

The goal isn’t to bring your way of life.
The goal is to bring love, humility, and the hope of Jesus—in a way that honors the culture around you.

When you lead with humility, curiosity, and respect, you reflect Christ beautifully.

And remember:
The same God who meets you at home is already at work in the place you’re going.

New language.
New food.
New rhythms.

Same God.

If you’re preparing for an Urban Plunge or Global Team, take time now to posture your heart. The way you show up matters just as much as what you do.

Ready to step into a new culture with confidence and humility?

Explore upcoming trips at cfci.org/go 🌍

March 31, 2026March 31, 2026

7 Ways to Prepare Your Heart and Mind for a Mission Trip (Across the Street or Across the World)

You said yes.

Yes to God’s invitation.
Yes to going.
Yes to serving.

Now what?

Before you pack your bag or board a plane, there’s a deeper kind of preparation that matters even more. Mission trips don’t just change places — they change people. And the most powerful transformation often starts long before you arrive.

Here are 7 ways to prepare your heart and mind for the journey ahead.

1. Start with Surrender

The trip doesn’t begin at the airport. It begins in the quiet place with God.

Lay down your expectations. Your fears. Your need to control outcomes.

Mission work isn’t about being the hero. It’s about joining what God is already doing.

Pray something simple and honest:

“Lord, prepare me to listen, to learn, and to love well.”

2. Name What You’re Feeling

Mission trips stir up everything — excitement, nerves, doubt, anticipation.

That’s normal.

Ask yourself:

What’s making me nervous?
What am I most excited about?
What expectations am I carrying?

Then bring it all to God. He’s not surprised by your fear — and He’s not limited by it either.

3. Ask God to Give You His Eyes

This journey isn’t just about what you’ll do. It’s about how you’ll see.

Ask God to help you see:

People as individuals, not projects.
Communities as strong and resilient, not broken.
Yourself with honesty and humility.

And be ready — He may show you something new about your own heart, too.

4. Be Willing to Be Uncomfortable

Growth rarely happens in comfort.

Different food. Different pace. Different communication styles. Different needs.

Instead of resisting discomfort, decide now to lean into it. Discomfort often becomes the doorway to empathy, compassion, and deeper dependence on God.

5. Learn Before You Go

Preparation is an act of honor.

Research:

The history of the place you’re going
Cultural norms and customs
Religious background
Economic realities
The history of the local church

Learn a few key phrases if there’s a different language. Understand gestures to avoid. Discover what people are proud of in their culture.

Showing up informed communicates respect.

6. Pack Light — Emotionally and Spiritually

Unresolved stress, bitterness, comparison, or burnout can weigh you down.

Before you leave:

Have the hard conversation.
Ask for forgiveness.
Extend forgiveness.
Rest.

Make space for what God wants to do by releasing what you don’t need to carry.

7. Expect God to Move — But Redefine “Success”

Yes, expect God to do great things.

But don’t measure the trip by:

How emotional it felt
How many visible results you saw
Whether everything went “smoothly”

A good mission trip isn’t one where everything is easy. It’s one where you were faithful, available, and obedient.

Sometimes the biggest transformation happens quietly — in you.

Ready to Go?

Whether you feel pumped, panicked, or somewhere in between — God has already gone ahead of you.

This isn’t just a trip. It’s an invitation into His story.

If you’re ready to step into that invitation through an Urban Plunge or a Global Team, explore opportunities at:

👉 cfci.org/go

Prepare your heart.
Pack your bag.
Say yes.

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 24, 2026March 24, 2026

Urban Plunge vs. Global Team — And Why We Need Both

When people hear the word missions, they usually picture one thing:

A passport.
An airplane.
Another language.

But what if missions is just as real in downtown Omaha as it is in rural Guatemala?

At Christ For the City International, we believe something simple and powerful:

God is at work everywhere.

And that’s why we offer both Urban Plunges and Global Teams — because each experience shapes you in a different way.

Urban Plunges: Seeing Your Own Backyard Differently

Our Urban Plunges happen in cities like:

Chicago
Dallas
Des Moines
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Omaha
Sioux Falls

You don’t need a passport. You need open eyes.

During an Urban Plunge, you serve alongside local leaders who know their communities best — people who live there, love there, and are invested long-term.

You might:

Serve at food banks
Build relationships with those experiencing homelessness
Encourage kids and families
Go on prayer walks
Share your faith in everyday conversations

Urban Plunges teach you something critical:

Missions isn’t far away.

It’s here.

You learn boldness. You learn compassion. You learn how to see your own city — and the people in it — through God’s eyes.

And when you go home, you don’t leave missions behind. You bring it with you.

Global Teams: Crossing Borders, Expanding Perspective

Then there’s the global experience.

Whether serving in:

Guatemala
El Salvador
Zimbabwe
Nicaragua

Global Teams immerse you in a different culture, language, and rhythm of life.

You partner with national missionaries and local churches — not to “fix,” but to come alongside what God is already doing.

You might:

Support children’s ministry
Participate in evangelism and discipleship
Help with community outreach
Serve in practical, hands-on projects
Encourage local pastors and leaders

International missions stretches you in a unique way.

You learn humility.
You learn flexibility.
You learn how small the world feels — and how big God is.

You discover that the Gospel transcends language and culture.

Different Experiences. Same Invitation.

Urban Plunges often grow boldness.
Global Teams often grow humility.

Both grow dependence on God.

Both help you:

Discover your spiritual gifts
Grow in compassion
Build deep friendships
Step into leadership
Live your faith in tangible ways

And both remind you:

You are sent.

Not someday.
Not somewhere else.
Now.

Why Both Matter

If you only serve locally, you may miss the beauty of the global Church.

If you only serve internationally, you may forget that your own city needs the Gospel too.

God’s heart is global.
And it’s local.

Sometimes an Urban Plunge awakens you.
Sometimes a Global Team expands you.
Often, God uses both.

Ready to Step Into It?

Whether you’re leading a youth group, gathering friends, or sensing God stir something in you personally, there’s a place for you.

Explore upcoming Urban Plunges and Global Teams at:

👉 www.cfci.org/go

Because the world is wide.
The cities are waiting.
And God is already at work.

Global Teams