Summer 2015 mission trips from McMinn County, Tennessee

There is a lot of excitement in the churches on this end of McMinn County, Tennessee. Teams are forming now to go to not one, or two, but three mission trips this summer. The destinations and ministry opportunities are exciting and people are asking about them. Opportunities to be involved with the mission trips include becoming a team member, helping to raise funds and get the word out and praying for the teams.

A mission work site in Alaska

Lots of work remain to be done before the mission trips can happen, so don't hesitate to volunteer. You don't have to belong to a UMC church to participate. All you need is an open heart, open mind and the willingness to walk through the doors that God opens.

Here are the destinations and a little about each voluntourism opportunity.

Philadelphia, Mississippi
Jones Chapel UMC has been in ministry for two decades on the Choctaw Reservation. Leaving the last week of June, team members will be involved in maintenance and grounds keeping work around the mission site. The team also plans and implements a Vacation Bible School for the children there. This includes everything ride alongs in the transportation vans and distributing to teaching and doing everything else that has to be done for a VBS. Interested in helping? Cost is less than $300 per person. Visit http://lesbear.wix.com/choctaw

Alaska state sign

Girdwood, Alaska
There probably isn't a more beautiful place to serve than Girdwood, Alaska. The team will be helping with a VBS at the northernmost point of the largest rain forest on the planet. Located near the Gulf of Alaska, prices are still being put together. Trip costs are estimated to be around $1500 each. In addition to VBS, there will also be some light grounds keeping work to be done. Email youvebeenreviewed@gmail.com to be involved.


Cherokee, North Carolina 
The third mission trip is to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. The team will be doing some home repair and construction projects around the Cherokee area. This mission trip will take place in late summer of 2015. Details are still being ironed out. It is possible that this voluntourism opportunity will be 3-4 days instead of a full week. Does this sound like an opportunity that you would like to help with? Email revcrab@hopeforhealing.org for more information.

Check back often for information about the mission trips. Summer of 2015 is looking to be a very busy one for the UMC churches of Southeast McMinn County!