Teens love to reach out and help others in need. Some just do not know it yet! Uncommon Missions & Service Projects, part of a series of resources and group studies developed by youth ministry veteran Jim Burns, will help youth leaders prepare their group to discover the joy of serving God while serving others. This comprehensive resource has everything leaders need to prepare, organize and execute successful service projects and mission trips, giving teens life changing opportunities to put their faith into action. Included are more than 25 practical projects for groups of any size; Bible study suggestions on the topics of mission and service; sample letters, forms, checklists, itineraries and job descriptions; a short-term missions handbook with step-by-step directions for planning trips and much more. Now leaders can inspire in their teens a hunger for God and an appetite for loving their neighbors, at home and around the world! Includes CD-ROM with reproducible resources.

Nearly 200 ideas for planning meaningful, memorable experiences for your kids! -Camps & Retreats . . . The drive up the mountain . . . The opening talk . . . The outdoor activities . . . The closing fireside -- here's a lodgeful of ideas for organizing successful camps and retreats. - Missions . . . Because even foreign mission work can start within our own borders, you'll find dozens of ideas for helping overseas missionaries right here at home. A used-Bible drive, a scavenger hunt for missionary supplies -- activities like these not only benefit missionaries, but also help your kids understand the personal, local aspects of mission work. - Service . . . Expose your students to others' needs! Inside you'll find ways to help children, the community at large, the elderly, the poor and homeless, shut-ins, and the sick and disabled Whether you're a youth worker or recreation director in a church, school, club, or camp -- Camps, Retreats, Missions, & Service Ideas is your storehouse of proven, youth-group tested ideas.

"This year, over ten million people will go abroad, eager to find the perfect blend of adventure and altruism. Volunteer travel can help you find your place in the world--and find out what you're made of. So why do so many international volunteer programs fail to make an impact? Why do some do more harm than good? Learning Service offers a powerful new approach that invites volunteers to learn from host communities before trying to 'help' them. It's also a thoughtful critique of the sinister side of volunteer travel; a guide for turning good intentions into effective results; and essential advice on how to make the most of your experience."--Amazon.com.

Every year, an estimated 1.6 million Americans participate in short-term mission trips, spending over one billion dollars—figures that have increased exponentially in the last two decades. About one third of U.S. congregations sponsor such trips each year. While they are referred to as “mission” trips, many trips focus not on conversion or evangelism, but on service projects—building a playground, providing medical care, or serving free meals to the poor. Short-term mission participants have a genuine desire to transform conditions of poverty, yet they don't always know how to go about it; many people involved in short-term mission work virtually reinvent the wheel when they design and plan their service projects. Making a Difference in a Globalized World: Short-term Missions thatWork is a guide to leaders of such trips. The book presents clear insight and research from anthropologists and development professionals, and encourages individuals to lead mission trips that make a greater impact on the communities that they are serving. The text provides: a framework for planning short-term mission trips; foundation for planning; personal anecdotes and case studies; and practical suggestions for volunteer opportunities. This handbook is a vital resource for any potential mission volunteers or organizers.