Typically mission trips involve teaching vacation bible school, swinging a hammer or paintbrush, or serving the community through an evangelistic event. I try to go on one of these every other summer.
As a creative, do you ever feel like you could be serving more through the talents and abilities God has blessed you with? I do, so I’d like to organize a group of folks to be a part of a “mission trip for creatives.” Maybe MediaBLEEP Missions?
God has been tugging at my heart for nine months now about this. Seriously, I wanted to wait until I got all of my ducks in a row, but I don’t think that jived with God’s timing.
Let’s imagine
Still in the infant stages and seeking counsel, but here’s what I am thinking as far as a high level overview.
1. Choose a location
I’d like to choose a regional church association or a network of churches in need of a creative touch. In fact, I have been in contact with one in the upstate region of New York (more details to follow). This could be a great first go.
2. Identify the creative needs
Me and a limited number of folks, who have a desire to, travel to the selected region to meet with the association and individual churches to determine specific needs — A vision trip of sorts.
Needs can include, but not limited to the following:
- Church or ministry logo
- Website refresh/new or first web presence
- Print materials design – bulletin, brochures, etc.
- Banners/signs
- Videos – promotional for church or specific ministries
- Sound/tech system optimization
- Copywriting and marketing writing
- Community event planning and promotion
- Design for promotional materials (schwag)
- Servant evangelism through community seminars (facebook classes)
- Social media strategy – setup and training
- Photography
- etc.
3. Recruitment and signups
Once the location is a go, needs are identified, and a dates are in ink, it will be time for signups. I envision individuals signing up and churches sending their creative teams.
4. Travel, lodging, and meals
Travel and most meals will be the participant’s expense. However, in a lot of cases, including the pilot area I have in mind, lodging can be provided by the host association/network — cots in a sunday school room, etc. Participants can always book a hotel room, and recommendations will be provided. Finally, I’m sure several meals will be included.
5. The mission trip
I love the idea of a group of creatives descending on a region to help churches.
- Time frame? Somewhere between 3-5 days. Ideally it would encompass a weekend service.
- When? Spring or Summer 2011 (I’d like to pilot it in Fall 2010. Possible?)
- Specifics? Pairing talents with church needs, and grouping folks together to serve each church. Participants will spend significant time at an assigned church and create per their needs.
- Growth? Each night of the trip everyone will get together for devotion, encouragement, sharing, and fellowship.
Next Steps
Again, this is all still in the infant planning stages, and there are questions to answer such as how to handle follow up. However, I know this idea is God ordained, and I am moving forward.
Would you or your team be interested in this? Do you have additional suggestions? Interested in being an advisor? Please leave comments below or email hello@mediableep.com.
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More Information:
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Such a cool idea!!!! Love it.
Wow… great idea! I’d love to be a part of this.
LOVE this! Let me now how I can help!
Thanks for your encouragement and willingness to help.
Cleve – looks like this is a BIG hit on a day that is know for pranking or punking someone. But I tell, you – you came out swinging on this and have hit the creative nerve and BRILLIANT IDEA!
Brilliant! Simply brilliant!
This is amazing. I’ve had the same idea. I work in the Communications Ministry at a megachurch and think that this would be a great way to bless other churches with the resources we’ve been blessed with. Love to see where this goes.
This is a great idea. I’m in. Keep me informed on the details!
Love this idea! Would be thrilled to have the opp. to work on videos for ministries who need them.
Cleve, this is a really creative idea. I look forward to seeing where this goes.
What a great idea! I’d love to participate if possible.
this is an interesting idea. please put me on some sort of mailing list for this. would like to stay in touch.
This is a very good and original idea! Keep the info coming as I’d love to help, even if I couldn’t come– support and organization leading up to the trip!
What a great idea! I am looking forward to signing up to serve.
I am totally in love with this idea! I’ve often thought about the limitations of our typical mission trips, and while I like the work trip types, my gifts might be better used this way. Keep us updated!
I love this idea!!
Thanks for all of the positive comments so far. I will definitely make sure I include all of you in the communication loop. Excited about the possibilities.
Neat stuff Cleve! Doubt I’ll be able to travel to the location, but would love to find a church or organization that is in great need of help and see what I can do. Already doing this for one organization here in Columbus, OH.
After spending four years of reaching non-profits and churches with this stuff, I can definitely say there is a need for more service initiatives. Sometimes ministry has to turn into business, and the service aspect isn’t as prominent. Would love to work with you on connecting with / to the creatives through local DigitalDisciples.net gatherings. Sustainability is key!
Thanks for the Twitter DM today!
Nice! I’m definitely interested in seeing how this plays out. Good stuff, guys!
Really interesting idea!
Like an Extreme Home Makeover – Church Edition! Brilliant!
Good idea, if you ever want to do it in the UK I know a few places that this would be really useful!
Wow sounds like a great idea. I love the line about “still seeking counsel”. Solomon said there is much wisdom in seeking counsel. Wisdom produces a well plan event with great reward in the end. I would love to help support this in any way. Sounds like you have been doing some planning. I don’t think you will have any trouble finding a church or churches in need. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.
This is an awesome idea and would be a true blessing to churches and ministries trying to impact their community. I’m a church planter that started our church with a small core group and even smaller budget. I would give my right arm for something like this – there are so many pieces of the PR puzzle. Praying that God blesses you with the resources you need to make this happen!
Awesome idea. When my husband and I were church planters, something like this would have provided a major shot in the arm. And with the pressures of today’s economy, you will provide a service that is beyond the reach of churches even a bit larger.
May God bless you, abundantly!
Bonnie
Bonnie,
Thanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate the prayers. This is moving forward and I’m excited to see God at work.
Great idea, and I would love to be involved.
I love the concept! Why shouldn’t my logo–designing skills be worth as much as my hammer–swinging skills? It’s great that God’s called you to do something about it.
I wonder if there is also an opportunity for larger, more experienced churches to share their creative resources with smaller churches in their area. More unity among God’s churches never hurts, and my guess is you’ll learn a lot about yourself (as a church) by getting to know one that’s completely different.
great idea. a different kind of “work & witness” trip with a different kind of recipient church. very cool.
how is this coming 5 months after posting?
[...] and we will recruit in January. Stay tuned for more information on MediaSalt. For now, check out Creative Missions 1 AND Creative Missions [...]
This looks like an awesome idea. Would love to see a follow up on it (if it worked out, etc.)
[...] Every day during the holidays, MediaSalt is counting down our most popular posts of the 2010. Today’s post was our 4th most popular, originally published on April 1, and written by Cleve Persinger… “A mission trip for creatives!“ [...]
This is an excellent idea. I’m about to leave in a month to be a full-time graphic designer with Youth with a Mission, so I understand where you’re coming from. Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Awesome idea!! If this trip works out, I’d love to be a part. I have a lot of desgin/video/marketing experience for churches, and I have a heart for church plants. Seriously, if you need another person, count me in.
So where is this going? Has anything became an action yet? Great idea and I would be interested in joining in…
I am newcomer to the field of creative arts in God. I am trying to get plugged in wherever I can. I could use lots of help and experience. Please contact me if you can.
Jasetta
Awesome idea! Come to Australia!!! There a just a few churches here that could benefit from your help!!!
Thanks, Joy! We’d love to. Maybe we can work that out one day.