What’s the mission of your faith travel program?
If you’re like many church travel planners, you might have a vague sense of purpose behind the trips you take. Maybe you see them as a way to support the goals of your church, create community or have a good time. And those are all fine ideas. But with a little bit of focus, you can make them even better.
Travel is one of the most powerful ministry tools available to modern churches. Here are five key missions you and your church leaders should pursue for your program in 2026 and beyond.
Reinforce Relationships
Think about where you usually sit at church on Sunday: There are likely a handful of regulars who sit close to you. But does that mean they are close to you? The weekly interactions that take place at church can help start friendships, but nothing takes those relationships to the next level like shared travel experiences. Your church travel program should put a premium on bringing people together so they can create meaningful relationships, deepen their friendships and build real community that will endure long after the trip ends.
Supplement your Study
Because the events of the Bible took place long ago in a distant land, it can be difficult for everyday Americans to personally connect to the lessons taught in church. But travel can help bridge those gaps to make scripture come to life. This is a primary reason many groups travel to the lands of the Bible — places such as Israel, Jordan, Greece and Turkey. But similar impact can be found closer to home in faith-based museums, attractions and theatrical productions that do an excellent job of illustrating and illuminating biblical stories and principles.
Be a Bringer
In a healthy church culture, leaders are always looking for ways to help members to invite others to join them. Travel opportunities are a great way to do that, as some people who aren’t likely to visit your church on a Sunday might be willing to come on a trip with you instead. You should make sure all your trips are open to outsiders — especially those who are skeptical about faith — and take advantage of special moments along the way to invite them to engage with your ministry further.
Connect with Creation
Some of my most memorable spiritual experiences have happened not within the walls of a church but in compelling natural spaces. That’s a common experience among travelers who visit places as diverse as the Grand Canyon, the Gulf Coast and the Black Hills. As a travel leader, you can help people connect with God in powerful ways by taking them to amazing natural places and giving them time to reflect on the beauty of creation.
Serve Somebody
If your church has a habit of serving people in your community, traveling together offers a way to take that practice into the world beyond your city. Mission trips have been a fixture of church travel for many years, but you don’t have to travel to a foreign country to make an impact. Local organizations in destinations around the country love to partner with travel groups for one-day projects. And a growing number of service-based tour companies exist to help you integrate volunteering into your travel itineraries.
