Minneapolis - Saint Paul, Minnesota
Mission Trips

“The Twin Cities” is the title given to the pair of cities that share the Mississippi River as their geographical border: Minneapolis, the most populous city in Minnesota, and St. Paul, the state capital. Along with these two cities, there are more than a dozen suburbs that are home to over 3.5 million people in this diverse metropolitan area.

That diversity has been pushed into the national spotlight in recent years, with MSP showing the United States and the world what can happen when a city full of people with different backgrounds and different cultures come together with a common purpose. The people of the Twin Cities care for each other in a way that is unlike any other metropolitan area in the country, exemplifying the partnership that has brought the cities together for decades. It is that same care and love that PPM hopes to show through Christ around the world, and is just one reason why PPM is proud to have its headquarters in the Twin Cities.

Climate

Minneapolis-St. Paul has four distinct seasons, and each season has its beauty and makes your next mission trip to the Twin Cities possible at any time of the year. The abundance of rivers, lakes, waterways, and parks allows visitors and residents to enjoy every season. From May through October, you can enjoy outdoor activities like swimming in local lakes and rivers, as well as biking and hiking on great trail systems. If you are feeling up to braving the cold temperatures and snow, you can typically ski, skate, and ice fish from December through February. 

Language

English is the primary language, but due to the large amount of refugees and immigrants, it is estimated that 22% of residents also speak another language. As you are serving in the communities of Minneapolis-St.Paul, you will likely come across people speaking languages and dialects that originate from Africa, Southeast Asia, or Central America. 

Safety

Just as you likely would back home, PPM recommends taking common-sense precautions to prevent any unfortunate events. Additionally, your PPM trip leading staff will be with you throughout the entirety of your trip and are well-prepared for any concerning situations.

The strong economy and job market attracts many, including immigrants and refugees, who are hoping to settle their families into a stable environment. Family-run, ethnically-diverse restaurants and shops are very common in the cities. Along with those smaller establishments, there are over 15 Fortune-500 companies that call the metro area their home. Of course the Twin Cities are also the home off PPM headquarters!

The US-dollar is the standard of currency, and all major debit and credit cards are typically accepted.

A diverse mix of American cuisine and ethnically-diverse foods is exactly what you will encounter in the Twin Cities. Your PPM staff will ensure that you are well-fed, as well as introduced to some diverse foods! 

Minneapolis-St. Paul has something for anyone and everyone! There are opportunities for those who love music and the arts, including museums, music venues, theaters, and other attractions. If you prefer sports over the arts, then you will find the Twin Cities has a local representation in every major sports league - NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and WNBA.

Before European settlers arrived in Minnesota, the area was occupied by the Ojibwe and Dakota Sioux tribes. In the late seventeenth century, a French Franciscan missionary-explorer named Father Hennepin encountered a waterfall at the future site of Minneapolis, which he named after St. Anthony. However, Minneapolis wasn’t established permanently until the early 1800s, when federal troops constructed Fort Snelling. The fort became a fundamental trading outpost for the Upper Midwest. The falls that Father Hennepin had explored over 100 years earlier became the power that fueled flour and lumber mills along the Mississippi. These mills were the reason why the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul were established. With multiple industries flourishing, the area become very attractive for immigrants and New Englanders alike. 

Christianity has been the primary religion since missionary explorers began settling in this region hundreds of years ago. However, with the large number of immigrants that have and continue to make the Twin Cities their home, other religions are also practiced. There are worship centers and congregations for Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism found across the Twin Cities metro area.