Trip Leader

Trip Leaders are the primary on-site leaders for Thirst Missions mission teams.

This is our highest level of summer leadership responsibility.

Trip Leaders take ownership of the overall trip experience and are trusted to lead participants, supervise staff, coordinate ministry partners and projects, manage schedules and logistics, facilitate ministry opportunities, and represent Thirst Missions professionally.

Trip Leaders should be mature and confident leaders who can manage people, solve problems, communicate clearly, lead spiritually, make decisions, and create an environment that is organized, safe, relational, ministry-focused, and fun.

Assistant Trip Leader

Assistant Trip Leaders serve alongside the Trip Leader and are an integral part of each mission team’s leadership staff.

This position is ideal for someone who already has leadership potential and is ready to take significant responsibility while continuing to develop as a leader.

Assistant Trip Leaders aren’t simply helpers. They’re leaders.

You’ll have opportunities to lead participants, oversee ministry activities, solve problems, communicate with group members, lead devotions and activities, and learn firsthand how to manage a mission trip.

Summer Intern

The Thirst Missions Summer Internship is designed especially for college students who want to spend their summer serving, traveling, developing as leaders, and gaining meaningful ministry experience.

Interns become part of the Summer Staff team and work directly alongside experienced Trip Leaders and Assistant Trip Leaders.

This isn’t an internship where you’ll spend the summer watching other people work.

You’ll be in the middle of the action.

You’ll serve alongside teams, help lead ministry activities, interact with participants, solve problems, assist with logistics, and learn firsthand what it takes to lead mission trips.

Throughout the summer, Interns will progressively be given opportunities to take greater responsibility as their skills and confidence grow.

Mentor

Mentors are mature Christian adults who use their faith, experience, and skills to serve teams and invest in younger Summer Staff leaders.

This volunteer role is designed for ministry leaders, teachers, tradespeople, parents, retirees, and other experienced adults looking to support mission teams and mentor emerging leaders.

Mentors serve alongside Trip Leaders and Assistant Trip Leaders, providing encouragement, wisdom, discipleship, and practical support throughout assigned trips.

Summer Staff should:

• Be committed Christians who follow Jesus Christ and affirm the Bible as the inspired Word of God.
• Be ministry-minded, hardworking, flexible, dependable, and ready to serve.
• Have experience in missions, church, school, or other ministry settings.
• Be willing to lead, take initiative, solve problems, and work as part of a team.
• Be physically prepared for long, active days.
• Hold a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive when needed.
• Complete required online and in-person staff training.

Experience in youth ministry, worship, missions, leadership, construction, cooking, teaching, photography/video, social media, athletics, hospitality, or driving is especially helpful.

Former Thirst Missions participants are especially encouraged to apply.

No two days on Summer Staff are exactly the same, but every day is intentional, active, and filled with purpose. Here is a general picture of what a typical day looks like while leading a trip:

• Morning Prep & Breakfast: Gather with the staff team to review the day’s schedule, pray together, and help prepare breakfast and morning devotions for your team.
• Ministry & Projects: Take your team to the ministry site for the day, work alongside local partners to guide the day’s work, serve the team members, and encourage the team throughout the day.
• Afternoon Recreation & Culture: Lead team recreation, explore local culture, or coordinate group activities designed to build community and trust.
• Evening Worship & Debrief: Facilitate evening worship, team debriefs, and staff meetings to reflect on how God worked throughout the day and prepare for tomorrow.

1. Apply Online: Tell us about your faith, ministry experience, leadership background, availability, and preferred locations.
2. Meet & Greet: A quick introductory video call to meet you, hear why you’re interested, answer questions, and determine whether there may be a good fit.
3. References & Review: We’ll review your application, experience, initial interview, and references.
4. Formal Interview: Final candidates complete a second, more in-depth interview focused on faith, leadership, ministry experience, expectations, availability, role, and potential location.
5. Offer & Placement: Selected applicants receive a formal offer including their position, anticipated trips, and ministry location.
6. Training Complete: required online training before summer and in-person training before serving on your first trip.