Five Roles to Recruit for Your Mission Team

When it comes to recruiting for your mission team, you may be stumped as to what specific team members are helpful to have along for the ride. Here’s some recommendations we have, in no particular order. 

1. A Medical Professional

Having a medical professional, or someone with a medical background, on your team is always a good idea. Not only does this provide a little bit of comfort and security to parents/friends/family who cannot join on the trip, it helps to have a trusted person to be carrying the first-aid kit, checking in on team members throughout the week and helping to take care of anyone who may get sick. Plus, team members are more likely to actually voice their aches, pains and needs to a medical professional, rather than their group leader. 

2. A Team Photographer

Have you ever tried to take a group photo and EVERYONE with a camera wants a photo taken on their device? Besides feeling like you need to grow a few extra arms, it’s time-consuming and stressful. Plus, photography can be a huge distraction on the mission field, taking away from being present in the moment. We suggest you nominate one person in your group to be the trip photographer, preferably someone with a nice camera who has experience taking photos and will be excited to serve in this way. After the trip, they can share their photos online with the whole group!

3. A VBS Leader

Having someone on your team who can help create, plan and lead in a kids ministry setting is so important. This kind of leadership takes a special person with special skills! Ensure that your leader is excited about equipping and motivating the rest of the group to get involved and lead alongside them. 

4. Worship leader/musician

Someone to lead your team in worship is extremely important, especially during nightly meetings and debriefing times. If you are especially blessed in this area at your church, see if you can recruit a few worship leaders or musicians to join you, to lead out in other ministries as well!

5. A Veteran Flier

The majority of our group leaders report that one of the most stressful parts of leading a team is the travel to and from their location of service. If you as the group leader have never flown before or traveled outside of your home country, it might be a good idea to find someone who can help guide you and your team through the travel portions of your trip. 

So what if you find yourself unable to fill some of these positions within your team? If you are coming on a trip with Praying Pelican, no problem! We’ve got you covered. We’ll have a staff team available to assist you, cover all the logistics and help in every way they can. Simply communicate well with your missions consultant and together, we’ll make your mission trip a success!