Brethren in Christ U.S. World Missions will lead one-week trips to three locations this year: Bogotá, Colombia; Dearborn, Michigan; and Samos Island, Greece.
The trips offer a unique opportunity to connect with people across cultures, encounter God at work around the world, and grow deeper in personal faith. Participants get to step out of their comfort zones, serve alongside global faith leaders, and expand their understanding of the worldwide Church.
Application due dates for Summer 2025 trips are fast approaching, so don’t hesitate to apply.
Children’s Ministry in Bogotá, Colombia
From June 7-14, we will partner with El Camino Academy (ECA), an interdenominational Christian school in Bogotá that serves local Christian families. Our short-term team will help ECA run their June Jamboree, a weekly program for students ages 5 through grade 6. Programming includes math, science, music, drama, arts and crafts, and sports.
Open to families, this trip is a perfect opportunity for all ages to serve together. Rebekah Oberholser joined the 2024 June Jamboree team with her daughters Abby and Christy. Abby (age 15) loved working with the first graders. Over the week, she taught Bible stories, helped with English vocabulary, and made a close connection with two younger girls. “Kids are the same no matter where they live or what language they speak,” she says.
For Rebekah, the trip was a special opportunity to serve alongside her daughters. “I enjoyed ministering to the children,” she says, “but it was an even greater joy to watch my daughters interacting with them and discovering their own abilities. I believe families who take a trip together will be blessed!”
Next Steps
We invite you to join us in Bogotá! Participants must be at least 12 years old and minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Applications are due March 30, 2025; download application.
English and Math Camp in Dearborn, Michigan
In July and August, we will lead three teams to Dearborn, Mich., a Detroit suburb home to the largest population of Arabs in the U.S. We partner with a local group to facilitate English and math camps for refugee children, helping them succeed in areas where they may be behind academically.
For Alana Beaty, a 2024 high school graduate, the trip was directly connected to a passion God has placed on her heart. “I want to be a teacher,” she says. “This was a great opportunity to jump in and get a head start.”
Beyond English and math, our teams also engage with families in the evenings, visiting some at their homes and experiencing the warm hospitality of Arab cultures. “They always offered us tea or desserts. We even got some leftovers from their meal one day!” laughs Alana. “The fact that they were so willing to share anything they had with us was amazing.”
Next Steps
We invite you to join us in Dearborn! The 2025 trips are scheduled for three consecutive weeks: July 27-August 1, August 3-8, and August 10-15. Participants must be at least 14 years old, and minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Applications are due May 1; download application.
Refugee Care on Samos Island, Greece
World Missions has been involved in refugee care initiatives in Greece since 2019 most recently in Athens. However, refugees’ paths through Europe have changed in the last six years, and the needs of the community have shifted. In November, we will lead a team to Samos Island, an island near Turkey that currently hosts over 3,000 refugees in the Zervou Camp.
In 2024, Jenni* was part of an exploratory team to Samos. “Visiting Samos Island was a strange blend of amazing beauty and heartbreaking sadness,” says Jenni. The conditions at Zervou Camp are severely lacking and directly affect people’s physical and mental health.
But despite the challenges, Jenni saw vibrant life, spirit, and community. “Whether it was setting up volleyball and henna blankets outside the camp or the gathering of people at a nearby ministry house, the image of God shone through this community with joy and laughter.”
In addition to meeting practical needs, she is excited to see how the BIC can partner with local ministries to foster restorative community. “Togetherness with God and with a community is so vital to the well-being of all people’s souls,” says Jenni, “but especially to those who have walked through so much trauma and pain. For those who have lost their homes, we can help them find their home in God.”
Next Steps
We invite you to join us in Greece! The trip is scheduled for November 15-24; applications due July 1; download application.
Questions?
Vicky Landis, Mobilization Administrator
Contact Vicky Landis with questions about these short-term service opportunities.
*Name changed for privacy.
