How to go on a
GO Trip

We’ve created videos to help you navigate the system and learn best practices for families.

• Watch a walkthrough of the new trip platform here.
• If you’re traveling as a family, watch the short video on setting up family accounts.
• Having trouble linking family accounts? Watch the troubleshooting video.

Each GO Trip follows a simple process designed to help you prepare well, serve faithfully, and grow as a disciple of Jesus:

• Apply – Pray about where God is leading you to serve and complete your application at https://hcbc.servicereef.com/.
• Interview – International and high school student trips include a 30-minute interview before team acceptance.
• Team Acceptance – Once accepted, you’ll receive a confirmation email and submit a 10% trip deposit to hold your spot.
• Prepare – Attend support-raising training (or review provided materials), send support letters, and participate in all required team trainings.
• Go – Serve alongside your team and ministry partners as you join what God is doing around the world.
• Debrief – After returning, attend your final team meeting to reflect on what God did, thank your supporters, and consider your next steps.

Our purpose is to make disciples of all nations so God may receive worship from every corner of His creation. We go out of obedience, partnering with long-term efforts to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel, so that Jesus is glorified among all peoples.

Today! Trips have limited capacity and may fill quickly. Visit https://hcbc.servicereef.com/ to apply.

Go to https://hcbc.servicereef.com/, select your desired trip, and complete the online application.

No. Applications must be completed and approved before deposits can be submitted.

We encourage you to apply next year. If you want to serve sooner, we can connect you with one of our local partner ministries. Team Leaders cannot extend application deadlines.

The Global Outreach Team may redirect an applicant to another trip for a variety of reasons, including partner needs, ministry fit, spiritual formation considerations, or the original trip being full. Be sure to list your 2nd and 3rd choice trips in your application.

Applicants who are accepted as a short-term mission team member must fully agree to:

• Attend all team meetings before departure, during the trip, and after our return; missing more than one Team Training is grounds for removal.
• Complete all homework and requirements between team meetings, meeting deadlines where possible.
• Submit to the leadership and authority of Hill Country Bible Church and your Team Leader.
• Adopt the attitude of Jesus Christ in all interactions and avoid derogatory or offensive comments or instigating arguments.
• Embrace the posture of a humble learner to honor those you are serving and follow cultural expectations.
• Operate in selflessness and servant-heartedness in support of long-term ministry goals.
• Remain flexible and supportive through difficult travel and schedule changes.
• Respond gently to correction when approached.
• Return home at your own expense if conduct jeopardizes the success of the trip.

Applying does not necessarily mean you are part of the team. The GO Team and Trip Leader will evaluate applications, and you will be notified whether you are accepted within 2 weeks of the application deadline. International trip applicants must complete a 30-minute interview before their application is considered complete. After acceptance, all mandatory Team Trainings are required.

Yes. Each team has at least four mandatory Trip Trainings before going. Trainings are required and must be prioritized over other activities. If your schedule prevents full participation, you are encouraged to wait until next season. Missing trainings may result in removal from the team.

You will receive Team Training dates and times once you are officially accepted onto a team. All training sessions are mandatory.

Parents are not required to stay for training. Parents are typically invited to the last training for travel details. If a parent attends a training, the student must also be present; parents cannot attend on behalf of their child.

If you see a conflict after you receive training dates, let your Team Leader know as soon as possible. For unforeseen situations, contact your Team Leader and email [email protected] immediately. Uncommunicated absences are considered unexcused and may result in removal. If you miss a training, you are responsible for connecting with the Team Leader to review what you missed.

Each team member must submit a personal 10% deposit within 7 days of acceptance and before their first Team Training. After that, team members complete fundraising training and begin sending support letters.

• Suggested pace: 1 letter per $25 of trip cost (e.g., ~80 letters for a $2,000 trip).
• Bring prepared letters to the first Team Training; Global pays postage for letters received then.
• After the first training, goers are responsible for mailing their own letters.
• Follow-up calls are expected using the provided template.
• Significant delays by the 50% support deadline may result in removal.
• Self-funders should still send prayer letters using the template.

All personal investments and financial support are legally non-refundable.

Extra funds are used by Global Outreach to cover team shortages and may not be held, carried over, or reimbursed to the participant.

Your raised support transfers to the team to cover your incurred expenses up to that point. Funds may not be held, carried over, or reimbursed. You are responsible for trip expenses incurred up to your withdrawal.

Your trip cost includes transportation for the duration of the trip, hotel/housing, all food (including travel day), partner fees, travel insurance, and activity supplies.

Your trip cost does not include personal expenses, stamps, passports, immunizations, medications, or personal supplies.

The Global Outreach Office arranges all trip transportation.

No. All participants must travel to/from the trip location with their team. Travel continuations are not possible because they interfere with group travel rates and complicate logistics.

No. Team tickets are reserved through a partner travel agency for discounted rates, so individual ticket purchases with miles are not accommodated.

Only some trips require travel visas. When needed, participants receive specific visa instructions during team training. Raised funds cover visa costs.

Accommodations depend on the trip. Some teams may sleep on a church floor and need to bring an air mattress. Others may stay with missionaries or in hostels/hotels. You’ll receive details during team training.

Look up your trip destination on www.cdc.gov for the most up-to-date recommendations. Team funds will not cover immunization costs.