The International Mission Board is introducing the GO IMPACT program for teens. It’s an avenue for youth groups to serve together overseas with an IMB missionary team. Registration is now open for Summer 2022 trips.
Groups of teenagers age 15 and up can join the long-term, strategic efforts of IMB missionaries already overseas. In total, 28 opportunities are currently available for students to do their part in helping Southern Baptists see the Revelation 7:9 vision become a reality.
Trips will last between 8 and 14 days, and projects are available in Argentina, Belgium, Botswana, Chile, Germany, Kosovo, Latvia, Malta, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom and Ukraine.
“Imagine mission being as normative in student ministry as Sunday school or summer camp or pizza dinners,” Kelly Davis, director of mobilization support for the IMB said. “It’s not impossible and we want to help.”
“Southern Baptist students are willing to go, to be obedient, but they need to be given the opportunity. GO IMPACT and the IMB provide churches and youth leaders with a packaged missions opportunity that includes direct connection to field strategy and personnel, relevant participant training, support with every aspect of the trip and real leadership opportunities for their students,” Davis continued.
George Siler, IMB’s manager of volunteer programs, echoed that statement.
“We want to see teenagers own the responsibility of fulfilling the Great Commission in obedience to Christ wherever He calls them.”
Siler added, “With GO IMPACT, IMB is ramping up with opportunities and support for churches to engage high school youth in the mission.”
Each group of 15 -25 students, accompanied by adult trip leaders from their church, will join in the established work alongside their IMB missionary host.
The trip will be coordinated by an IMB travel agent, who will work to provide the best airfares and arrangements that will avoid problems, monitor country entry requirements, coordinate arrival time with the missionary host, and provide travel assistance to the group. The travel agent will also arrange emergency insurance that will cover participants in case of accidents, illness or crisis.
In addition, the IMB will provide training for group leaders and structured planning with the host missionary as well as coaching and follow-up with the church.
“A remarkable thing happened at IMB during the pandemic. While many organizations dialed back on engagement, our leadership doubled down with bold plans for increasing our number of missionaries and partnerships with churches. GO IMPACT is part of that daring vision to see God call workers to the harvest,” Siler said.
Trips are available now, but they are likely to fill up quickly. If you already have a connection with an IMB missionary, contact them and let them know you’d like to use the GO IMPACT pathway to set up a trip. For more information, visit imb.org/goimpact or contact info@imb.org.