Participating in a vision trip with White Horse Missions is an invaluable opportunity for pastors to experience firsthand the impact of the mission and prepare to lead their congregations in this global outreach. As a pastor who has participated in one of these trips, I can testify to its transformative power. After experiencing a vision trip, I was able to confidently lead a team from our church to Honduras this past year. That initial pastors trip experience gave me the clarity and insight I needed to guide our team, helping them understand the culture, the work being done, and how they could serve effectively.
The vision trip provided a clear understanding of what to expect on the ground, from the practical logistics to the spiritual opportunities, and made it easier to prepare my team for the mission. Also, seeing the ministry firsthand allowed me to cast a compelling vision to our church, inspiring others to join in God’s work. Now, we are eagerly preparing to send another team this year, building on the foundation laid by that initial vision trip. For pastors, a vision trip is more than just an experience—it’s a chance to lead by example, inspire others, and mobilize your congregation to embrace the Great Commission with clarity and purpose.
One of the greatest privileges of going on a vision trip is that you can see the heart of the people and feel the heartbeat of why they do what they do. One cannot exist without the other, just like the Church cannot exist without the Body. As the Missions Mobilizer, it is my job to connect our church body with Christ-minded partners around the world. Vision trips are an excellent way to determine if your church's mission and vision align with the organization or ministry you seek to serve. I was blessed to take one of these trips with White Horse Missions to not only connect with their core values but also connect with other lead pastors, mission pastors, and mission leaders. We were immersed in the culture by meeting with different village churches and working at the clinic. These interactions allowed me to communicate with White Horse about areas our church wants to stay connected. This is precisely why I believe vision trips are essential for missional leaders. It allows you, as the sending agent of your church, to effectively communicate and see if the missional vision of your church body fits in their ministry context. You get to ask the “why” questions while learning first hand “who they are.” I’ll never forget the honesty and heartfelt cry that was told to our group — “although it may not feel natural, it may be extremely biblical.” That one statement and a couple of other God moments allowed me to come back home and effectively prepare our church body and send a team that following summer. This birthed an even deeper connection with the Whitehorse family, and now our church family has extended its arm to be a sending vessel and supports them monthly. It all started with one person asking, “How would you like to really experience the heart of Honduras?” the answer came in the form of a vision trip. The power of an ask helped connect our church with White Horse, where later, a team would come alongside them and bring the Gospel to an unreached mountain village in the heart of Honduras. So here’s the question, Lead Pastor, Missions Pastor, Missions Leader: How would you like to really experience the heart of ______ (Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica)?
