Fiji

The team to Fiji will be ministering at a local Corps on Fiji's main island and helping out by running some holiday programs for kids as well as helping paint the facility.

Approximate team cost: $2000

Kenya

The team to Kenya is confirmed however specific details of the team (location, project etc) are still to be clarified. We will keep this page posted as soon as news comes to hand.

Approximate team cost: $4000

Youth Mission Teams are an opportunity for Salvos aged 13-25 to serve God within Australia and around the world. Here's what they're about...

1. Making a difference around the world. 

Jesus taught us to love and serve 'the least of these' and these teams are a practical way we can do that. They're also about learning the best ways we can help.

2. Becoming more like Jesus.

Joining a team is signing yourself up for intense spiritual growth so make sure you're ready for God to challenge, stretch and grow you.

3. A life of mission.

The most significant mission you can be involved in will probably happen after you get home so be ready for God to speak to you about what's next.

Despite the best of intentions, short-term mission trips can risk doing more damage than good if things aren't thought through properly before hand. There are a couple of guidelines for our teams:

• We go to learn. We don't come with answers but instead with open hands and hearts.
• There has to be a tangible economic and resource benefit for any host community as a result of our visits. This is all built into your team cost.
• We will not do any work that will take away local job opportunities in the communities in which we are visiting. Any work that we will do will be with the understanding that we're providing 'extra hands'.

One of the most valuable aspects of a Mission Team is to gain insight into issues and needs facing these communities. Knowing this stuff equips us to know how to best help once we get home too.

Connect

Teams will live and minister in a community providing you will plenty of time to connect with people, after all, Jesus was all about people.

Evangelical Ministry

Teams will have the opportunity to share their faith in the communities they'll be visiting. It might involve running kids holiday programs, or sharing testimonies at church, or helping run youth group but in any case be prepared to share what God has done in your life.

Practical Ministry

Youth Mission Teams are inherently practical, seeking to help wherever appropriate. You'll be expected to work where needed so don't come if you're just expecting a holiday. We make sure you're trained and supervised to do the job well.

Pray

It's God who transforms lives and without Him we're useless. Teams commit themselves to regular prayer knowing that our all-knowing, and all compassionate Father will be present in these places long after we've left.

Grow

Teams are structured to give you time for personal devotions, Bible studies, and group sharing/debriefing time. Each of these will play a significant part in your ongoing growth as a follower of Christ.

Age

Anyone 13-25 yrs old.

Church/Corps Involvement

Applicants must be actively involved in the life of their Salvation Army church or Corps.

Personal faith

Mission Teams are driven by our Christian beliefs and it's important that applicants are committed Christians who share these same values and beliefs.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2012 YOUTH MISSION TEAMS ARE NOW CLOSED.

The biggest reason that teenagers and young adults don't go on mission teams is because of money. There is no doubting that $2000 is a large amount of money, particularly if you only earn $100 a week, but money is no barrier to God. Financial resources are at His disposal and if we are faithful in doing what we can (asking for sponsors, fundraising, working etc) then we can be sure that God will be faithful in making ends meet.

Raising a large amount of money can be daunting but it's easier than you think. Suggestions and ideas will be included in your information pack so don't be held back by thinking it can't be done!