To serve the Church as a strategic resource for motivating, training, and mobilising youth to fulfill the Great Commission
Short-term Missions, Long-term Impact
At Teen Missions Int’l Australia, our short-term mission trips are primarily focused on the discipleship of the team members. We understand that lasting sustainable change in team members and communities takes a long time to cultivate. Missionary work is a long-term investment. Therefore, our approach to short-term trips is to contribute to the ongoing impact of both the individuals serving and the communities being served.
Our Mission
To inspire and equip a new generation to boldly proclaim salvation in Christ alone (1 Peter 2:9).
Our Vision
To serve the Church as a strategic resource for motivating, training, and mobilising youth to fulfil the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).
Our Strategy
Training Tomorrow's Missionary Today (1 Timothy 4:12).
Our Partners
Programs at Teen Missions Australia
Join the mission and participate in one of our programs.
Adult Travel Team
Fiji #2601
Lead a Team
Mexico #2602
Thailand #2603
There’s ALOT to learn! It is our desire to make it easy to find the information you are looking for as you explore the summer team opportunities with Teen Missions Australia.
If you don’t see what you are looking for here, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email.
General
What is the difference between Teen Missions and other short-term opportunities?
Experience: Teen Missions is a pioneer of the concept of providing short-term mission experiences for teens. The first teams went out in 1971 from the USA and since that time 50,000 youth from North America and neighbouring countries have been involved. Here in Australia, our first team went out in 1989 and since that time over 5,000 young people have been involved in either the summer program or the Bible school (now a gap year program called ‘The Journey’ – not currently running in 2026).
Training: Here at Teen Missions Australia, we hope to provide careful training, deep cultural understanding, and an ongoing posture of humility and teachability on the field—an experience that helps teenagers and leaders see the world, themselves and God differently. Our model is to ensure that these trips have a positive, long-term impact on the team members. Our training process includes equipping team members with a range of skills over our 7-day Boot Camp, nurturing and disciplining them as they go out onto the field for 3 weeks with their respective teams, and then equipping them to return home through our 3-4 day debrief.
Diversity: Teen Missions is one of the few organisations that is truly interdenominational, having worked with hundreds of church denominations and mission boards. Our staff, from many different backgrounds, work in unity for one purpose. We offer a variety of summer teams to nearly every continent. Our projects range from work teams building Bible schools, and airstrips, and improving already established facilities to evangelism teams sharing Christ through soccer workshops, music, children programs, and TESL (teaching English as a second language). Over the years our teams have travelled using mission planes, local transportation, dirt bikes, backpacks (foot), riverboats, and more.
Impact in Assisting Overseas Mission Efforts: When we are not working with one of the 30+ Teen Missions bases around the world, we hope to be intentional about who we partner with on the field. At TMIA, our approach is to participate in ministry with local and overseas organisations that have long-term, social and spiritual development goals. Our focus will be to fit into these partner organisations’ overall strategy and not undermine their local ministry. Additionally, if our values for ministry align, we hope to partner with them long-term by assisting with ongoing projects, and finances, and offering resources beyond the short-term mission trip.
One of the best ways we can serve is by being an encouragement to full-time missionaries and locals serving in the community. We recognise that these ministries are a part of the ongoing change that is happening on the ground and we are only playing a small part in supporting them.
What is the doctrinal statement of Teen Missions Australia? https://teenmissions.com.au/about/
What is Teen Missions’ policy on doctrine? Teen Missions Australia does not discuss or teach doctrines that divide the body of believers. Teens asking questions of specific doctrinal issues are directed back to their parents and/or pastors. However, doctrines included in Teen Missions’ doctrinal statement are taught.
Is Teen Missions Australia affiliated with any specific denomination? No. Teen Missions Australia is not a denomination but is interdenominational. Teen Missions Australia staff, leaders, and team members come from a wide range of evangelical denominations.
How old do I have to be to go on a team?
Summer Team – 13+ years.
Adult Travel Team – 18+ years.
What is involved in the six-week summer team program? The summer team program has three main parts:
- Boot Camp – Team members and leaders undertake spiritual, practical & cultural immersion training at our base on the Sunny Coast (approx. 7 days).
- Field Time – Work and/or Evangelism Project Overseas (approx. 3 weeks).
- Debrief – Teams reunite and prepare to go home (approx. 4 days).
Is Teen Missions Australia a ‘behavioural Boot Camp’ for troubled youth? The short answer is “No.”
Historically, we have emphasised that we are ‘building teens, not buildings as our primary focus.’ The discipleship element of our program is the key part of what we do and why we do it. For this reason, we have avoided ‘screening’ team members. With the unique length of our Boot Camp training, Teen Missions Australia is afforded an ‘up close’ opportunity to evaluate each team member before sending them to the project destination. During this period, we have seen true miracles in countless young lives. As a result, we have seen team members come forward in evening rallies to confess sin, receive Christ, and commit to walking according to His Word. Many of these testimonies came from the least likely teens. We believe wholeheartedly that God (The Good Shepherd) will ‘leave the 99 in search for the 1.’ – Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7.
At the same time, we realise that there has been an increase in the trend by some parents to use the Teen Missions program as a ‘last resort’ behavioural Boot Camp for troubled teams who might not even wish to attend our program. Teen Missions Australia and its leaders will do everything possible NOT to allow a rebellious teen to destroy the experience or testimony of their team. We as a ministry will do all we can to proclaim God’s Word and give our best love and care to every team member. However, we will be proactive and willing to send home any team member from Boot Camp or a foreign field (at the parents’ expense), who resists the efforts of team leadership to counsel and lead them according to Teen Missions Australia policies.
Pre-Trip
Do I need a passport? Yes, all team members and leaders leaving Australia are required to have a valid passport.
Do I need to be vaccinated to attend a Teen Missions Australia program? It is recommended that you are up to date with your immunisations, including a tetanus shot, for your own protection. However, it is not mandatory to be vaccinated to be able to go on a Teen Missions summer team. Please note that some countries will require team members and leaders to have specific vaccinations to be able to enter that country. If you choose not to get the required vaccination for that country and your teen is then denied access to that country, a return flight home as well as a return flight for a leader (if team member is under 18) will be at the parents’ expense. Specific vaccination requirements will be listed on the individual team locations each year.
Training
What is Boot Camp? Boot Camp is a time of training to prepare the teams for their respective mission fields. Team members and leaders participate in a 7 day immersive training period, a program designed to build team unity and provide practical, physical, and spiritual training for their specific projects. We tailor each Boot Camp training period according to the skills needed for each team. The 7 days of primitive training will be at the Teen Missions Australia base in Cooroibah, QLD.
Why boots? For safety, sanitation, and protection, 15 cm high construction boots are required (some gortex/mesh on the boots is allowed) for all team members and leaders taking part in a summer team. Some teams will be asked to bring slides to wear in inside spaces appropriate to the country they are visiting. Individuals will be notified if this is the case for them after the application process has begun.
Do I have to live in a tent? All team members live in tents during Boot Camp. Once on the mission field, living situations will differ depending on the available accommodations at each project site.
What is the purpose of the Obstacle Course? A timed Obstacle Course is used to build character, unify a team, and teach team members how to work together.
Do I have to run the Obstacle Course? All team members are required to participate in the Obstacle Course to the best of their ability. In the case of a medical condition, a doctor’s note is required to be excused from doing the obstacles. Those team members will walk the Obstacle Course so that they can be involved as much as possible with the rest of the team.
What is Debrief? To cap off the summer experience, teams will return to the Teen Missions Australia base for a shared debrief time with other teams. The debriefing experience is essential to our summer team program for team members and leaders. During Debrief, the teams engage in different classes, allowing them to reflect on their summer and become equipped to take what they have learned on the mission field back home to their churches, youth groups, schools, and communities. In addition, we focus on fellowship, sharing summer experiences amongst the teams, and preparing them spiritually, mentally and emotionally for their return home.
Health and Safety
What about special diets and medications? Any special medications or diet restrictions will need to be reported to Teen Missions Australia on the Health Status Form. Appropriate measures are taken by the team leaders to ensure the proper care of each team member while under their care. Any medical conditions must be reported on the paperwork provided by Teen Missions Australia, as occasionally it may limit mission trip choices to destinations that allow for suitable care.
What happens in the event of political unrest, natural disaster or other safety issues while the team is overseas? Our staff here at Teen Missions Australia monitors all the locations of teams and is in communication with the missionaries on locations overseas. In the event of any political unrest, natural disaster, or other safety issues arising, Teen Missions has in the past and may again, change the project for a team or transfer a team to another location. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure, to the best of our ability, the safety and success of each team member, leader, and team.
What is done in the case of serious illness or injury? At Boot Camp, we have a First Aid Officer to attend to any first aid concerns that arise. Noosa Hospital is a 10-minute drive from our base and the Sunshine Coast University Hospital is only a one-hour drive away from our location. While on the field, if a team member is sick for more than 24 hours, they will visit a doctor, clinic, or whatever medical facility is available to be seen by a healthcare worker. Thorough logistical research is done in advance to ensure no time is wasted in getting team members the proper care they need and leaders know where to take the team members if illness or injury should occur.
Parents
Will I receive calls or news updates while my son/daughter is attending the summer team program? Those arriving without a parent or guardian to the Teen Missions Australia base on arrival day will be allowed to call parents/guardians to let them know they have arrived safely. All team members and leaders will be required to call home before departing the country (likely to be the day after the Commissioning Service) and upon arrival back into Australia. Our base crew will post daily updates during Boot Camp, as well as post two weekly updates and pictures on social media (Facebook and Instagram) throughout the field time.
Can I visit during the Boot Camp training or Debrief? There is limited access during the Boot Camp training. However, all family and friends are invited to attend the Commissioning Service. The service begins at 6.30 pm. The gates will open at 4 pm, and you will be welcome to spend some time with your young person during the evening before the service. You are welcome to bring your own picnic dinner. All team members and leaders will be provided dinner by Teen Missions.
Can I send my child care packages? No care packages are to be sent to team members or leaders while on any part of their summer team. In many cases, packages sent to team members arrive after the team has left, and it becomes the responsibility of the missionary on the field to pay for any customs or taxes that the country charges out of his or her finances. In most countries, packages cannot be returned to the sender and MUST be claimed by the missionary.
If you choose to bring gifts, snacks, confectionary or clothes for your associated team member or leader to the Commissioning Service, please note they will not be able to receive or consume these until after the Commissioning Service has concluded, as they will have already packed and weighed out for travel.
Please be considerate of the wider team if you choose to bring anything for your young person.
Can I volunteer at Boot Camp or Debrief? Absolutely! In missions, every trade and talent is needed and of great value. God takes what’s in our hands and uses it for His glory. Teen Missions Int’l Australia welcomes professionals in their trade and those willing to learn new skills. We welcome volunteers of all ages: singles, couples, and families, old, and young, there is something for everyone. Click on the link to find out more and register as a volunteer.
Financial
How are the funds I raise spent? Please see below a breakdown of how your team expense is spent.
- Free Airport Shuttle from Brisbane or Maroochydore Airports to Boot Camp
- Boot Camp Training Expenses (7 Days)
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Classes
- Literature pack
- Building materials for construction classes
- Team Travel Shirts
- Airport Shuttle from Boot Camp to Brisbane or Gold Coast Airport
- Administration Costs
- Airfare and travel expenses to and from your chosen country
- Lodging during your stay
- Meals
- Work project – building materials
- Team sightseeing travel and expenses
- Travel expenses while in the country
- Evangelism resources
- Airport Shuttle from Brisbane or Gold Coast to Debrief
- Debrief Expenses (4 days)
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Classes
- Literature resources
- Sightseeing Day during Debrief – travel, entry fee and lunch
- FTM Shirt (at the end of summer)
- Free Airport Shuttle from Debrief to Brisbane or Maroochydore Airports
Prices DO NOT include the application fee or any travel to Boot Camp and home from Cooroibah QLD. All team gear, clothing, passport, visas, immunisations, equipment deposits, air tax or levies, changes in exchange rates, personal expenses, spending money and any other items required are at the participant’s expense.
Expenses & team costs are subject to change and may vary substantially. This will be made known to you nearer the time of departure and when an accurate cost can be determined by the airlines and immigration. We apologise for any and all inconveniences caused.
How do we raise support? After the application has been submitted and the application has been successful, each team member will receive a support letter and prayer cards to be used in raising the team expenses. This letter and prayer cards are designed to give your supporters relevant information about Teen Missions Australia, as well as information about the team you are going on. We encourage you to make a list of family, friends, church members, and others who could be potential supporters. Send each person on the list a support letter and prayer card. Keep an eye out on socials for testimonies and ideas for raising support for a Teen Missions summer team.
What happens if my son/daughter doesn’t raise enough funds? Our team are always happy to discuss financial concerns and talk through ways we can assist you and your son/daughter in raising the funds required for a summer team. Switching to a less expensive team for which you have sufficient funds, is sometimes an option. Please note thought that sometimes there will be a small fee to cover administrative costs and possible airline penalties.
When are the financial deadlines for team members? There are a number of deadlines that we encourage team members to aim for.
The first $300 of the team cost is due 30 days after you receive your support packet.
Two-thirds of your team cost is due by August 31. Please send it earlier, if possible, as we have many expenses throughout the year, including airline bookings and team materials.
Total contributions are due September 30. If you are unable to raise the required amount, you may have the option of changing to a team with a lower team cost if you have sufficient funds.
If all paperwork is submitted and signed adequately within a month of registration you will receive a $100 discount on team expenses.