Chicago, IllinoisGroup Mission Trips

Service Learning

Connecting with Sunshine Gospel Ministries of Chicago and their Bridge Builders program, this community trip is designed in a way to bring awareness and conversation to the many complexities people living in the inner city face on a daily basis.

During this mission trip, your team will work directly with our local Community Partners with the BridgeBuilder Program in Chicago. This trip is locally staffed which adds to its depth as everything your team will experience is shared through a local voice. Your team will spend part of your time supporting local ministry partners connected to Sunshine Gospel Ministries as they work to renew their own neighborhoods. You may find yourself working in community gardens, doing simple building renovations like painting, improving a playground, praying for neighbors, or other neighborhood beautification projects. The work fluctuates day to day depending on the local partner's needs, but in each experience, we hope you'll be given opportunities to meet with local people and extend the reconciliation work of the local church.

Inner city life has many layers and comes with many assumptions and misunderstandings from those not experiencing it. We believe education is a powerful tool as we seek to be bridge builders who love and serve others in different circumstances from ourselves. This trip will include several learning elements for your team to experience and engage with. As you enter into these hard yet vital conversations we ask that you come with an open heart and mind ready to be an active listener and learner around the complex topics of reconciliation and inequity

Lodging
Teams in Chicago will stay either at Sunshine Gospel or at local college apartments owned by Sunshine Gospel.

Sleeping
Cots or air mattresses will be provided but you will be responsible to bring your own bedding (sheets, pillow, blanket or sleeping bag and towels).

Showers
There will be shower facilities at the housing facilities where teams will be staying.

Bathrooms
There will be bathrooms where your team will be staying. Most work and outreach sites will have bathrooms as well. For those that do not, teams will need to take mid-day breaks to use a public restroom.

Water
Teams will have access to water throughout the day. Everyone should plan to bring refillable water bottles to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Electricity
There is electricity available where you will be staying, as well as at most work and outreach locations.

Security
EM works with our partners to ensure the most secure facility possible.

This is an extreme inner-city mission trip, which will put you and your team in the center of inner-city life as you take part in learning and service projects throughout the day. During your time of service in this location, you may meet people navigating difficult life struggles. People in various stages of drug and alcohol addiction, and those possibly involved in local gangs, prostitution, etc. may cross paths with your team. Their personal need for Christ is extreme. It is through kindness, care, and respect for the dignity of all we meet that we can best share the love of Christ. Please come prepared to step out of your comfort zone as you meet the people of the city with an open heart.

Food
A wonderful team of local cooks will be preparing and serving your meals. Breakfast and dinner will be served buffet-style, and your team will pack your lunches. Curious about EM's ability to accommodate specific food restrictions? View EM's Food Policy

Transportation
Your team's transportation to, from, and while in Chicago is not covered by the cost of your trip. You will need your vehicles throughout the entire week to transport your team to various locations for work and ministry.

NOTE: Using a school bus as your main mode of transportation while in this community is NOT an ideal option. 15-passenger vans or smaller are your best choice for transportation in Chicago.

AVERAGE DAILY SCHEDULE

Day 1

4-6pm Arrival & Orientation
6-8pm - Dinner - Lesson - Debrief

Day 2

8:00 am - Breakfast
9am-12pm - El Train Experience
12-1pm - Lunch
1-4pm - Woodlawn Tour
4-5pm - Intro to South Side
6-8pm - Dinner - Lesson - Debrief

Day 3-5

8:00 am - Breakfast
9am - 2:30pm - Community Service (& Lunch)
3:30pm - Rotating Opportunities (Museum, Poverty Simulation, American Son, Just Mercy, Economic Poverty)
6pm - Dinner - Lesson - Debrief *Thursday evenings are generally free after dinner for your team to take some time to be together

Day 6

Trips to Chicago normally end at noon on Friday after a brunch and final debrief session Your team also has the option to stay over Friday night and use the remainder of the day on Friday to explore the city. You will be on your own for meals after breakfast on Friday if you choose to stay. Departure would be no later than Saturday morning at 9:00 am.