The ministry in Chicago is an experiential service-learning program that promotes significant transformation through Christ. Mission Discovery teams spend a week in Woodlawn on Chicago’s south side- a beautiful and resilient community that faces many challenges. While there, Mission Discovery volunteers will come face to face with their assumptions about poverty, racism, and more by engaging in thought-provoking conversations.

We introduce volunteers to community members to whom they can listen and from whom they learn. We also provide teams the opportunity to serve alongside our community partners in their organizations, schools, and ministries. Mission Discovery groups that come to Chicago will take a new perspective home. Our prayer is that the new perspective gives life to new ministry opportunities in each team’s hometown.

We give each group time to explore a local African American history museum, explore the downtown part of Chicago, and travel on the elevated El train of Chicago.

Daily Work Assignments:

  • Community Gardens

  • Youth Outreach

  • Local Elementary School
  • Social Enterprise Farm

TRIP DATES

Spring

$549one week
  • Custom Dates Available
Request Custom Dates

Summer

$549one week
  • June 4 – 10, 2023
  • June 11 – 17, 2023
  • June 18 – 24, 2023
  • June 25 – July 1, 2023
  • July 3 – 8, 2023
  • July 10 – 15, 2023
  • July 17 – 22, 2023
  • July 24 – 29, 2023
  • Custom Dates Available
Get More Info

Fall

$549one week
  • Custom Dates Available
Request Custom Dates

MISSION TRIP COSTS AND FAQ

Our mission trips to Chicago, Illinois are best suited for Junior High, High School, College, Adult, and Family volunteers.

  • The trip cost includes: trip deposit, food, lodging, ground transportation, construction supplies, emergency medical insurance, a t-shirt and a devotional.
  • What is not included: flight, any spending money you may need and $25 for a background check.

  • The trip cost includes: trip deposit, food, lodging, construction supplies, emergency medical insurance, a t-shirt and a devotional.
  • What is not included: flight, ground transportation any spending money you may need and $15+ for a background check.

  1. Click the SIGN UP button at the top of this page.
  2. Fill in your information.
  3. Our team will contact you with an email with directions for how to sign up.
  4. We will follow up with you about project details and a payment schedule.
  5. When the trip is approaching, we will have an online meeting with leaders to communicate the specifics of the trip.
  6. You will travel to the location, meet the crew, and serve!

No. We break the trip cost into three payments. Here is what a typical payment schedule looks like.

  • $100 per volunteer deposit is due 30 days after you register.
  • Half of the remaining balance will be due 90 days prior to the trip start date.
  • The remaining balance will be due 45 days prior to the trip start date.

Yes. Our mission trip teams have tons of individual volunteers. We do, however, need to have at least 20 volunteers sign up for a trip to make it happen. If you sign up for a trip and we do not get enough volunteers, you will have the option to join another team or join a trip in the future. We will also issue a refund if you are not interested serving on another trip.

Lodging

You will stay on site of a Christian community development organization. Depending on the time of year, you will stay in either a youth outreach center or in the apartments that owned by the center.

Transportation

Some teams drive. Other teams fly into ORD, then rent vehicles. Teams provide their own ground transportation to and from the airport and to the daily worksites.

Food

Your food will be fully provided by our ministry partner. The caterer is a graduate of the community program that we work with. She now owns a restaurant.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Arrival Day

12:00 PM | Camp Opens
4:30 PM | Leaders Meeting
5:00 PM | Dinner
7:00 PM | Evening Program
8:00 PM | Small Groups
10:00 PM | In Rooms​​

Daily Schedule

7:00 AM | Wake Up
7:30 AM | Breakfast
8:00 AM | Quiet Time
8:30 AM | Devotional Thought
8:45 AM | Depart for Worksites
3:00 PM | Return to Camp
4:30 PM | Leaders Meeting
5:00 PM | Dinner
7:00 PM | Evening Program
8:00 PM | Small Groups
10:00 PM | In Rooms​​

Departure Day

7:00 AM | Wake Up
7:30 AM | Load Up
8:00 AM | Breakfast
8:30 AM | Depart​

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