Mission trips have long been a way to serve communities in need while offering volunteers meaningful experiences. But for junior Alice Rose Tupou-Tuipulotu, they are more than just a temporary act of service—they are a lifelong commitment to making a difference.

After traveling to Bagong Silang in the Philippines with Sacred Hearts Academy in January, Tupou-Tuipulotu returned home determined to keep supporting the community she had grown close to. She helped lead a fundraiser through the Academy’s annual Junior Fast and raised over $1,200 for the community.

“This experience has reshaped the way I see mission work, not as a one-time event but as a lifelong calling to help others in any way I can,” she said. “The people we met in Bagong Silang welcomed us with open hearts, despite having so little…and this donation is a way to show that we haven’t forgotten them.” 

The evolution of mission work

In recent years, mission work has shifted toward sustainability and community empowerment, focusing on long-term solutions rather than reliance on outside aid. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly two million American volunteers participated in mission trips, but the pandemic caused a sharp decline, raising questions about their relevance today. Are mission trips still a meaningful way to serve, or have they become outdated in an era of remote aid and digital activism?

Mission trips have existed for centuries, dating back to the time of Jesus, and have evolved significantly over the years. Early mission work focused on religious conversion and church building, later expanding to include medical aid, education and infrastructure development. By the mid-20th century, service blended faith-centered outreach with practical support, and by the 1960s, volunteers took on roles like providing medical care and building schools.

Through these changes, churches, schools and service organizations continue to promote mission trips as a way to inspire faith and global citizenship. For Academy volunteers, the experience reinforced that mission work is about more than just providing aid; it is about building lasting relationships. Volunteers supported communities in need by tutoring children, distributing food and performing as a gesture of entertainment and connection.

Leilani Asuncion, a theology teacher and a chaperone on the trip, reflected on the significance of these experiences. 

“People don’t realize it, but in the very final blessing of the mass, where father says, ‘Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, the mass has ended,’ we say, thanks be to God. We’re basically being sent off on a mission,” Asuncion said. 

Lessons beyond providing aid

Beyond providing aid, mission trips create awareness of a world outside one’s own community. Each trip offers a unique lesson, shaping volunteers’ perspectives in ways they never expected.

Sophomore Leonor Cassandra Louise Dimla described the eye-opening experience. 

“It just inspired me, like—oh, this happens in life, you know? It opened my mind to these types of lives in other places,” Dimla said, reflecting on the vivid contrast of living conditions. “We never took whatever they gave us or whatever happened on the trip for granted, and we were thankful for all of it.”

Navigating challenges

While mission trips can be transformative, they also present significant challenges. Coordinating with local organizations, adapting to cultural differences and navigating unexpected logistical issues require resilience and flexibility. Volunteers say they must be adaptable and culturally aware to ensure they contribute to sustainable development rather than fostering dependency.

Critics of short-term mission trips argue that resources spent on travel and accommodations could be more effectively used to fund local initiatives directly. Concerns have been raised about the potential for such trips to create dependency on foreign aid, undermining local efforts and failing to address systemic issues. Additionally, critics say that the transient nature of these missions can hinder the establishment of meaningful relationships and limit long-term impact.

Despite these challenges, many volunteers find that mission trips offer valuable lessons in adaptability and cultural sensitivity. For instance, the Academy group adjusted its travel schedule to attend the Jubilee of Sister Patricia, an Indonesian sister known for her dedication to serving communities in the Philippines. This unexpected opportunity allowed students to engage deeply with the Bagong Silang community, reinforcing the values of their mission work.

Reflecting on the experience, Asuncion noted, “I think going on a mission is expecting the unexpected. We all thought we were going to leave from Hawaii on Jan. 2, but instead, we had to leave on Jan. 1. However, if we left on Jan. 2 and came back to Hawaii on the 10th, like we originally planned, we would not have been able to see Sister’s Jubilee.”

Similarly, Dimla shared, “We didn’t know what activities we were going to do. When I was the first one to be leading the games and activities for the kids, I was scared. I didn’t know if it was even gonna work out. I wasn’t confident at all.”

Both agreed that these experiences highlight the importance of flexibility and cultural immersion in mission work, underscoring that while challenges exist, they can lead to personal growth and deeper connections with host communities.

Looking toward the future

With advancements in technology and global communication, the structure of mission trips is evolving. Digital tools enable remote support, whether through financial assistance or virtual engagement, reducing the need for travel. Many organizations are shifting towards sustainable development, focusing on long-term solutions rather than short-term aid. Virtual volunteerism, such as online tutoring, fundraising and social media awareness campaigns, allow volunteers to contribute meaningfully even without being physically present.

However, mission organizations stress that ethical considerations must be taken into account. Groups like the Global Mission Board emphasize the importance of working alongside local communities rather than imposing outside solutions. Culturally sensitive training and pre-trip education are becoming essential components of modern mission preparation.

The Academy’s volunteers emphasize that there is still profound value in in-person mission work. The ability to build deep, personal relationships and witness the realities of life in different communities firsthand offers an irreplaceable experience that digital tools cannot fully replicate. 

Dimla reflected on how the trip changed her perspective. “Ever since I went there, I just wanted to be closer to them,” she said. “I’ve never felt this way before. It just made me more empathetic and made me think about other people—what they could be going through.”

Tupou-Tuipulotu emphasizes that mission work is about more than providing aid; it’s about building relationships.

“It’s not always easy. Sometimes, people think that mission trips are just about delivering aid, but they’re really about relationships,” she said. “It’s about showing people that they are seen, heard and loved.” 

The necessity of mission trips continue to be debated in a rapidly changing world. However, for those who participate, the experience imprints a lasting impact that can be difficult to put into words. 

“It’s frustrating trying to explain what we went through to people who take us lightly,” Dimla said. “I think it’s better off if we just hope they’ll experience it (because) at least we know that we did something to help people, or try to make a change,” Dimla said.

As mission trips adapt to modern realities, their essence remains unchanged: a desire to serve.

“Everyone’s on a mission,” Asuncion said. “You don’t have to be told to volunteer; you don’t have to realize what a mission truly is, but if you have that opportunity to serve elsewhere, in a different country, to be especially with the poor and have the energy, take it.”