Partner with
Experience Mission

What is the difference between hosting larger groups, IMMERSION program teams, and individual volunteers?

Larger groups are typically teams that come from a single organization such as a church or college. Teams may be junior high, high school, college, adult or mixed ages. The trip length is 6-7 days (5-6 nights) and the team members stay together in the same space, often a church or guest house. These teams can range from 6 participants to more than 40. You determine the size group you can comfortably accommodate.

IMMERSION trips are teams of 5-15 young adults (18-30 years old) who have applied to join the program and been put together as a team by EM. They meet during an intensive training event in the U.S. before traveling to partner communities to immerse in communities and serve in practical ways. IMMERSION trips run 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, and teams typically spend 4-6 weeks in each community they visit.

BRIDGE volunteers are single-person or very small groups (2-3 people) who desire to fulfill specific needs in a community, often with specific skills. BRIDGE volunteers are adults (age 21 or older) who may be certified teachers, electricians, nurses, contractors, or IT technicians. Their time in your community is to help with a specific project while learning more about your work and community, getting to know you on a deeper level than members of a large group.

Can my organization host Group Mission Trips, IMMERSION teams, and individual volunteers (BRIDGE trips) throughout the year?

Absolutely! EM works with all partner organizations to develop the best plan together for when and how to host volunteers from different EM programs. Posting trip opportunities, however, does not guarantee that volunteers will sign up. When we talk with you about opportunities, we’ll also share our best advice for what times of year to post specific opportunities.

How many volunteers/groups can we expect if we partner with EM?

Through your online MyMission profile, you can choose which programs you want to host, which dates, what ages, and what projects. You could host a few each year or several. EM cannot guarantee a specific number of signups, but we will always try to give you an accurate picture of what you might expect year-to-year.

What times of year should I expect volunteers as a partner organization?

Depending on which program you want to host you may see the bulk of the volunteers during the months of May-August, this would hold true for large group teams.

IMMERSION teams are currently scheduled January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August, August-November. BRIDGE volunteers can come any time of the year, depending on what dates you choose.

What training do incoming EM volunteers receive?

Experience Mission has a robust training program. We have developed a curriculum that utilizes video, text, storytelling, and journaling. This curriculum is free and readily accessible to all volunteers. Our IMMERSION participants and field staff participate in intensive training that takes place over several days, followed up by a debrief time at the end of their time. Volunteer groups are given training materials to go through as a group beforehand and encouraged to go through specific content throughout their trip.

How involved is EM in the actual trips/volunteer experiences?

EM promotes all trips on the website, by email, and through social media. We have personal contact with all Team Leaders, IMMERSION participants, BRIDGE participants, and Interns. During the trips, we touch base weekly with staff/partners on the ground. It is our hope that all EM volunteer experiences incorporate a time of learning and connection to the community that exposes them to the complexities and challenges that exist where they are serving. We can help you determine what this looks like if you need help!

Can my organization start/stop participation at any time?

Absolutely! We have made it very easy for you to post new opportunities or close dates according to your personal schedule. You will have continual access to the website where you can make updates at any time. We only ask that you honor the schedule for trips that already have registered volunteers (or consult with EM if those volunteer opportunities are no longer possible).

What happens if there is an emergency situation while we are hosting volunteers? Is there an EM emergency contact?

Each Partner Organization will have a direct contact person at Experience Mission for regular communication. In emergencies, EM has an emergency line that is available 24/7. EM staff will always connect with you should an urgent need arise.

Who is Experience Mission?

Volunteers: EM connects people of all ages and backgrounds to go and participate in service and learning experiences that provide an opportunity to come alongside and serve those living in often-overlooked communities while building bridges across cultural, racial, and socio-economic divides.

Leaders: We provide growth and leadership opportunities for young adults who are passionate about living out their faith, concerned with justice and reconciliation, and who desire to understand what it means to "live their mission" in the world.

Partners: EM builds up and empowers people around the world by coming alongside local visions, working together to discover and provide much-needed opportunities to grow and thrive, and committing to local program leadership. This is often accomplished by activating the generosity of volunteers and supporters around the globe.

What is the mission of Experience Mission?

In an ever-changing world, we want to love God and love our neighbors. We believe God is at work in all people and cultures. We desire to be creative connectors across diverse and historical divides, participating in God's work of reconciliation, justice, affirmation, and hope. Learn more about OUR MISSION

How do partner organizations fit into EM’s mission?

Partnerships are central to EM’s mission. It is our belief that our partners are the experts in their community’s needs, local history, and culture. We desire to be a conduit allowing individuals who want to serve and learn to connect with partners who are similarly eager to share life and work with others.

Do partner organizations have to do things the same way?

The short answer is No! We have sample daily and weekly schedules as well as examples of how a variety of partners have organized their trips. Each program has unique attributes that we will talk through with you, but how you set up the day-to-day rhythm of each trip is up to you.

How long has EM been around? What is EM’s history?

EM was founded in 2003. If you want to read the story of how we got started and our heart for serving others, check out THE EM STORY.

What countries/states does EM partner with?

As a U.S.-based organization, a large number of our Partners are in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Central America. In the U.S. we have partnered in 19 different states across the country and in Puerto Rico. Internationally we have partnered with communities in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, the Holy Land, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Haiti, Honduras, Kosovo, and Scotland. But wherever you are, we would love to connect with you about potentially partnering with you and helping move your mission forward!

How does EM do so much with such a small staff?

We would not be able to do anything without great partners! All of our opportunities to learn and serve are built around connecting volunteers to great partner organizations who work alongside EM to integrate groups and individuals into what they are already doing on the ground. Our U.S. staff is lean, and we all wear a lot of hats to keep our programs running and in front of people. This has made us a close-knit team who loves and cares about each other, and we hope we are able to extend that to you as well.