Mission Trips
Mission trips enable us, as representatives of Fourth Presbyterian Church, to live with and learn from our brothers and sisters from around the world, from Central America to Chicago’s South Side. We share their struggles with hunger and violence. We do what we can to help, but mostly we show that we care.
We also discover that when we break away from our routines, we see new connections and make lasting friendships with each other.
If you are unable to travel, you can still participate in global mission by attending special programs featuring our partners from around the world. Events are announced in the News@FourthChurch e-newsletter (request a subscription via news@fourthchurch.org) and the Sunday bulletin insert “News and Opportunities.”
Occasionally calls go out for items needed by our hosts, such as medications and church school supplies, which our travelers can take with them. We invite you to consider supporting this aspect of global mission.
The material things, though, are secondary. Invariably our hosts make one request we all can honor: “Pray for us.”
Mission Team Expectations | Application Forms
Contact | Read about the 2012 Urban Plunge trip
Mission Team Expectations
God calls us to receive and share the love of Jesus Christ, a love that crosses all cultural, geographic, economic, and generational boundaries. Mission trips provide opportunities for serving, learning, advocacy, peacemaking, spiritual inspiration, and building relationships and cross-cultural awareness.
As we interact with brothers and sisters from around the world, we honor their dignity and show respect through mutuality, learning and receiving from them while giving support in solidarity. It is essential for us to follow their lead and wisdom on addressing the quality of life and witness of faith in their context.
Mission trip participants are asked to bring an open and humble mind of a beginner.
- Reflective worship is an important part of every trip.
- Mission trips start well before the date of departure and extend beyond our return home. All participants are expected to participate in orientations, trip-related activities, and debriefing and post-trip activities. Articles or books may be recommended reading.
- Mission team members need to be flexible, cooperative, and positive, supporting the team leaders and our hosts as they need to adapt to unexpected circumstances and changes in plans.
- Accommodations are purposely modest to lower the cost of the trip and to benefit from the hospitality of our hosts.
- Estimated costs include airfare, most meals, lodging, ground transportation, and in some cases a contribution toward the project or people served. Actual costs may vary depending on changes in airfare and the number of participants who register.
- Each team member must pay a 50% deposit of fees by the stated deadline, $100 of which is nonrefundable. Limited scholarships may be available upon request.
- Unless stated otherwise, persons of all ages and abilities are welcome to apply.
- For international trips, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your return date. A copy of the first two pages of the passport must be submitted with trip applications.
For more information, please contact Vicky Curtiss, Associate Pastor for Mission, at 312.981.3598.
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Application Forms
Please see the individual trip descriptions for online registration links.
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For More Information
Contact Vicky Curtiss
Associate Pastor for Mission, Fourth Presbyterian Church
vcurtiss@fourthchurch.org
312.981.3598
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