Experience Mission Reviews: What Groups and Volunteers Say

Reviewed by EM Staff - Updated: October 2026

Is Experience Mission a well-reviewed mission trip organization?

Groups and volunteers who serve with Experience Mission (EM) most often praise EM field staff for being prepared, responsive, and caring, and for EM's focus on relationships over projects. On Trustpilot, an independent review site, EM has a TrustScore of 4.7 out of 5 from 185 reviews as of October 2026.

The most common request is faster, clearer communication before and during trips. EM is responding by automating more resources for teams to access ahead of time and improving communication flow between EM full-time staff and local partners in a few communities where we struggled to get information for incoming teams quickly in 2026.

Where can I read reviews of Experience Mission?

Team leaders from group trips as well as IMMERSION participants review EM on Trustpilot, an independent review site. Every review stays public there—even the critical ones!—where we do our best to respond to any problems and make changes where necessary.

View All Experience Mission Reviews

What do groups say Experience Mission does well?

Reviews from 2020 through 2026 consistently highlight what people appreciated about partnering with EM. Group leaders and participants name EM field staff who stay organized and calm and solve problems as they come up.

Many reviewers describe mutual relationships with community members and local partners as the heart of the trip, rather than simply completing projects. Many groups make it a point to return year after year to the same community or to partner with EM again somewhere new.

Reviewers have hit on four themes again and again:

• EM Field Staff - Prepared, calm, and quick to adapt when plans change
• Relationships over projects focus - Time with community members and local partners matters more than finishing a task
• Easy planning - EM handles logistics and pre-trip training so leaders can focus on their group
• Healthy service - Cultural awareness and respect for dignity shape how teams serve

It's important to note that each review reflects one group's experience in one partner community, and every community and trip is different.

"Our 3 EM staff people were awesome. They problem solved in real time and led a meaningful worship at the end of each day."
- Wendy, group leader in Muskegon, MI, July 2026 (Trustpilot)

"I love the emphasis on building relationships rather than building projects."
- Logan, IMMERSION participant, June 2026 (Trustpilot)

"We've been to the Arizona Black Mesa location 5 times now, and each time it gets better and better."
- Mark Fila, youth pastor and group leader in Arizona, July 2026 (Trustpilot)

"As a team leader it was nice to have someone else plan the logistics."
- Teresa Marshall, team leader during a Jamaica Hurricane Recovery trip, July 2026 (Trustpilot)

View All Experience Mission Reviews

What do reviewers say EM could improve, and what has changed?

Most reviews are positive, and we read every one! The most common request, from 2020 through 2026, is faster and clearer communication before and during trips, something we continue to improve upon year after year.

Reviewers have also asked for more consistent support from EM field staff on site and clearer expectations about how EM approaches evangelism. Here is what we heard and our responses.

Communication before and during trips

What we heard: Some group leaders waited too long for answers before their trip. Others learned key details late, such as shower arrangements, schedules, an address needed at immigration, or that a second team would share their week.

Our response: For 2027 trips, we're improving team access to important information through each team leader's online MyMission account ahead of their trip, while adding trip and week-detail reminder emails so nothing gets lost in the pre-trip planning as the trip gets closer.

Consistent support on site

What we heard: Most groups praise EM field staff, but a few felt support was too hands-off, or that staff was less present than in past years.

Our response: Leading a mission trip can be exhausting! Because of this, we do not expect our field staff to be present with the team every minute of the day. However, for 2027, we plan to communicate clearer expectations to our field staff (hired each year from a great pool of young adult applicants) for when they need to be present with teams and in what capacity, while also communicating this to incoming groups so expectations are clear.

What we heard: Some reviewers expected more evangelism, or more time for prayer and conversations about Jesus, than their trip included.

Our response: At EM, our faith in Jesus is the reason and foundation of every mission trip, but each team may have its own expectations for how this plays out. We encourage all prospective teams and individuals to review EM's Statement of Faith and How We Engage the Gospel, as well as EM's Approach to Missions, which centers on listening, learning, relationships, and loving our neighbors with our lives.

Meaningful work for every volunteer

What we heard: A few volunteers felt underused, especially after sharing their skills before the trip.

Our response: It is always our goal for a team's skills to match up with projects where they are needed. However, factors outside EM's and the team's control will always come up when you partner with a community in motion and serve where you are needed most in the moment. Explore EM's Approach to Missions to learn more about how our posture in these circumstances can make all the difference.

IMMERSION structure and preparation

What we heard: Some IMMERSION participants wanted more structure and more location-specific preparation.

Our response: Since 2012, IMMERSION has encouraged young adults to dive in, take initiative, and make meaningful connections in organic ways. However, we have started to see that younger adults today aren't always prepared to handle this level of independence. So, in 2027, we are shifting age ranges for many upcoming programs and creating a brand-new Gap Year for 18-20 year olds, with more structure and discipleship built in to help all participants be more successful during their IMMERSION trips.

How EM responds when an emergency interrupts a trip

What we heard: In 2020, COVID-19 border closures cut IMMERSION teams' trips short. Some participants and parents told us they felt unsupported getting home and found EM hard to reach.

Our response: The COVID-19 pandemic caught all of us off-guard, EM included. In the middle of it all, we worked tirelessly to keep participants safe and well cared for while travel plans to return home early took shape. Since then, we have a much clearer picture of how we would respond to a global emergency and how to communicate that to incoming volunteers as well.

Is Experience Mission a registered nonprofit?

Yes! Experience Mission is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served alongside partner communities since 2003. EM is led by co-founder and Executive Director Chris Clum alongside a small staff team. You can view EM's full public nonprofit profile on Candid.

To learn more about EM, check out About Experience Mission.

How can I leave a review or share feedback with EM?

EM invites every group and participant to share feedback after their trip. You can write a review on Trustpilot or contact EM directly. Group leaders and IMMERSION team members also receive a post-trip survey, and EM staff review every response before planning the next trip or season.

Common Questions about Experience Mission

Reviews can help you decide, but the best next step is finding the right fit for your group! Explore Group Mission Trips or IMMERSION programs to find a community that fits your availability, age requirements, group size, and mission trip goals.