Middle East Trip 2013

Apply Here

When: November, 2013

Destination: Middle East

Cost: Approx. $3,000 per person

Come participate in exciting ministry in the Middle East!

Information about the Middle East:

Christianity has always been associated with the Middle East. It is where Abraham first heard the call of God, where Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, where Jesus was born and crucified, where the travels of the Apostle Paul began, and where so many other stories actually happened. Currently, Christians in the Middle East are the extreme minority, living in nations where honoring the freedom of religion has been neglected. Many churches are forced to meet “underground,” and many believers have given their lives for being Christians. Despite these difficult circumstances, the Church is growing. God is clearly at work in this area of the world, and has invited us to participate in His plan for the nations. We are both humbled and privileged to go.

What would this trip do for you?

Short-term trips give us a new perspective about the work we do, and what it means to love our neighbors. While working in other countries, we are able to recognize things about God, the world, and ourselves that we wouldn’t encounter elsewhere.

This trip will be an exciting and rewarding adventure for each participant. It has been our consistent experience as trip facilitators that these experiences often serve as catalysts for both re-energizing congregations and individuals.

This specific trip will give you the adventure and satisfaction of knowing that you have brought love to people as you:

• Invest yourself in meaningful outreach.
• Meet and work closely with partners living in the host country.
• Experience life and faith in a foreign culture.
• Work in communities in need of aid, relief and care.

Type of Ministry:

English Gathering: We will be working with students in the cities who are currently learning English. This allows us to create a closer sense community while giving the students a forum to practice everything they’ve learned with native English speakers.

Radio Partnership:  We will volunteer our time at a local Christian radio station, a rarity in the Muslim world. This particular station relies solely on volunteers to maintain its everyday needs, such as DJ-ing, office work, and station cleaning.

Encouraging the Long-term workers: It is critical that every Hillside trip include time and effort spent to encourage the long-term workers in a particular country. During our time in-country, we will have several opportunities to be a blessing to the team of people who will host us. This is done not only through material items, but also through interaction and relationship building.

Church Partnerships: We will have several opportunities to travel to and meet with local congregations of believers. During our visits, we will engage in the various ministries and outreaches performed by the church. We may also have the chance to speak or teach on a particular subject to the entire congregation.

Training Program: We will spend time working alongside members of a long-term training program. This group of students is the future pastors and Christian leaders throughout the Middle East. We will participate in some of their everyday activities, including class time and real world application.

Soup Day: Once a week, every week, the long-term workers in the Middle East pass out soup to pedestrians on the street, sparking conversation with locals. We will have the opportunity to take part in at least one of these exciting and practical forms of outreach.

Logistics: Our trip will originate in Richmond, VA for two days of pre-trip training and team orientation. We will then travel to our host country, meet our long-term contact, and begin our adventure. Throughout the ten days, we will participate in the various ministries listed above, yet remaining flexible to unforeseen opportunities to meet needs and engage culture. Upon the completion of our time in-country, we will depart for Richmond, where the trip will conclude.

The Next Step: Apply! This does nothing more than formally announce your interest in the trip. We don’t require a deposit during the application process, and don’t force you to commit to the trip by applying. We simply want to provide you with more information, as well as establish you in the group of interested applicants.

Apply now !