We have multiple missionaries and families we support globally and that have launched from our Church. Although we cannot name many of them due to their sensitive location, please make it a point to pray for them: Link: 16 Ways to Pray For Missionaries - IMB

Our international mission trips are primarily designed for CityRise members, but we warmly welcome others to join, provided they meet the trip requirements.

Physical Readiness & Health Considerations for each Mission Trip

Mission trips can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Before applying, please prayerfully and honestly consider whether you are prepared for the specific requirements of the trip.

Each trip is different, but you should carefully evaluate:

• Medical Conditions: Consider any existing medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies, or medications that may affect your ability to participate. Ensure you have an adequate supply of prescription medications and discuss international travel with your physician if necessary.

• Physical Fitness: Some trips involve long days, significant walking, uneven terrain, climbing stairs, carrying luggage, or working in hot, humid, or high-altitude environments. Be realistic about your current fitness level.

• Climate & Outdoor Exposure: Many ministry activities take place outdoors for extended periods. Consider your ability to tolerate heat, humidity, cold, sun exposure, dust, insects, or rainy conditions.

• Accommodations: Lodging may be simple and differ greatly from what you are accustomed to. Air conditioning, hot water, private bathrooms, reliable electricity, internet access, or comfortable beds may not always be available.

• Travel Demands: International travel often includes long flights, overnight travel, multiple airport connections, lengthy vehicle rides, border crossings, and significant jet lag. Recovery time may be limited before ministry begins.

• Daily Schedule: Ministry days are often full and can begin early and end late. Flexibility, stamina, and a willingness to adapt are essential.

• Food & Water: Meals may be different from what you normally eat, and dietary options may be limited. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, please discuss these with the trip leader before applying.

• Emotional & Spiritual Readiness: Cross-cultural ministry can be challenging. Participants should be prepared to serve with humility, patience, flexibility, and a positive attitude, even when plans change or circumstances become uncomfortable.

• Required Vaccinations & Travel Health: Some destinations require or recommend vaccinations, malaria prevention, or other travel health precautions. Participants are responsible for meeting all health requirements before departure.

• Travel Insurance & Emergency Care: Review the team's travel insurance coverage and understand what medical services are available at your destination. Emergency medical care may be limited in remote locations.

If you have any concerns about your health, physical abilities, or readiness for a particular trip, we encourage you to discuss them with your healthcare provider and the trip leader before registering. Our goal is to ensure every participant can serve safely, effectively, and enjoy a meaningful mission experience.

You don’t have to fund your mission trip alone—many participants successfully raise their support through personal fundraising! Consider reaching out to friends, family, your church community, and coworkers to invite them to collaborate with you through prayer and financial support. Share your heart, the purpose of the trip, and how others can be part of what God is doing

Please check the trip description or click on the registration link for detailed trip costs.
 
Cost Breakdown
1) Ground costs: There’s costs for each trip which generally includes lodging, meals (not travel meals), insurance and in country transportation.

2) Flight costs: We estimate the flight costs as best we can. If the fees are drastically different when we actually book the flights, we will either refund or ask for the additional amount from each participant.

3) Additional Costs for the participant: (Please check with the trip leader on these.)
• Personal bag fees as needed
• Visas (if needed)
• Vaccine (if needed)
• Travel meals
• Snacks and drinks
• Restaurant meals
• Fun outing costs
• Souvenirs
• Uber or transport to Houston Airport and return home.

You can book your own flight, as long as it works logistically with the rest of the group. CityRise missions generally use United flights for upgraded seats, baggage fees and best routes – but we check every trip to see where we can get the best flights. Please check with your trip leader for more information – you can book your own flight by clicking that option on the mission trip sign up form.

 Yes, you need a passport valid for six months from the date of travel.

For US Citizens you can apply here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Trip itineraries change year to year, the team leader will provide this at the trip kick off meeting. Please have a look at the trip description to get a feel of what the trip will entail. 

The Church currently use Gallager Charitable Travel Insurance, purchased as part of the CityRise scheduled mission trip. This is a basic travel insurance.

If you take additional time outside of the scheduled mission trip, please purchase your own travel insurance.

Please check with your group leader for more information. We recommend checking with your insurance or otherwise to determine if you need additional travel insurance based on your specific needs. 

Health requirements vary depending on your mission trip destination. Some international locations may recommend or require specific vaccinations or preventative medications, such as those for malaria, yellow fever, or typhoid.

We strongly encourage all participants to: Consult their primary care physician or a travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure.

Check the CDC website (cdc.gov/travel) for up-to-date travel health notices and destination-specific guidelines.

Bring any necessary prescriptions and over-the-counter medications with you, as they may not be readily available in-country.

Our Missions Team will provide general health guidance during trip preparation meetings, but individual medical decisions should always be made in consultation with your doctor.

Please check with your Primary Care physician on where to get vaccines and malaria medication if needed. Minute Clinic is one option: cvs.com/minuteclinic. (Click on Vaccines)

Your team lead will cover this information in detail after signing up.

For weather conditions, check your weather app for the specific location you are going to.

If you have any specific questions, please reach out to the Trip Leader. 

There are two costs associated with your mission trip:

1) Ground costs per person. In most cases, CityRise Missions have to pay the ground fee ahead of time to the mission organization and unless we can fill those spots after you cancel, we will not be able to refund the fees.

2) Flight costs.
• If you booked your own flight: you must check with the airline.
• If CityRise booked your flight: the airline should issue you either a direct flight credit or refund amount as per the airline's terms and conditions depending on the booking.

Any questions, please check in with the CityRise Missions Admin at missions@cityrise.org. Thank you.

The minimum age depends on the trip. Family trips are open to all, but generally six years old and above is good for family mission trips. For other trips eighteen years old is the general requirement, unless accompanied by a parent. 

This is a great resource: Countries & Areas - United States Department of State

The International Mission Board has a helpful, free seven-session course to help you prepare.

IMB - Short-Term Trip Training

IMB Short-Term Trip Training 

Link to UBA Houston article.

William and Nannie David were 19th century missionaries to Africa and parents of the founder of West University Baptist Church, Nannie David. Click here for a short article about them.