Immersion Trips

The Spirit sends us out to live holistic lives, where Jesus and justice, belief and obedience, worship and social witness become an integral expression of the integrity of our faith. 

Your Hope College education can include an immersion experience during Spring Break or extended summer service. Ours is a mission to both proclaim with our mouths and to demonstrate with our lives that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Locations

Domestic Spring Break Trips 

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is a city of great opportunities. It is called “Charm City” because it has a uniquely endearing character. It’s the little brother of cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C., which contributes to its strong sense of underdog pride. Baltimore is home to world famous institutions like Johns Hopkins, but also has one of the worst crime problems in the U.S.

At Grace Fellowship Church, we have a variety of kingdom partners that work to bring Heaven to Earth here to the city through their work as the hands and feet of God. As a part of this trip, we will have opportunities to see and participate in what God is doing in the schools, in homes, in the government, in businesses and other spheres.

Grace Fellowship Church started 40 years ago and now has grown to be the faith home of thousands from the Baltimore region. Join us to learn about the issues that plague great American urban centers like Baltimore and how you can be a part of their solution. Join us as we work as God’s partners to redeem and restore our city.

“I learned that oftentimes all it takes is a praying man or woman to start something for a change to start in communities. No matter the apparent hopelessness or how much of an uphill battle it seems, God can do it just like He did it through these people.”
—Brian Ntwali ’24

“Seeing Christians dedicated to the mission of helping this city inspired me in how they endured in their faith in spite of difficulty.” 
—Gerrit Wiegerink ’22

Chicago, Illinois

The Roseland Community “Good News” Daycare Center is located in Roseland, a neighborhood in the southside of Chicago. The daycare services children of low-income, single mothers who are either working or going to school. During our week in Roseland, the group will be working in the daycare providing the kids with experiences that would otherwise not be available to them as well as serving the community through various outreach projects.

“Seeing the hand of God over a leader and an organization that truly leads by faith and not by sight. Ms. Pearl boldly trusts in God’s ability to allow those who have stepped into His calling to flourish and in His ability to provide for every need.”
—Caiti Warne ’23

Bithlo, Florida

Theme: Christian Community and Development
United Global Outreach is the ministry partner that we will be serving alongside. This trip has a strong emphasis on Chrisitan assessment-based community development, immersion in a new culture, and forming a Christian community. Students will have the opportunity to meet and learn from community leaders and engage in some restoration projects.

“The highlight of my trip was meeting all the new people and immersing myself into a culture and group of people that was different from my everyday life.”
—Dawson Kryska ’25

Nashville, Tennessee

Theme: Urban Ministry 

Center for Student Missions (CSM) will assist students to learn and gain an understanding of the issues in Nashville. Students will get a glimpse of the unique work that God is doing in Nashville. This trip is an up close view of the front line of urban ministry. Students will see what the community members face and walk alongside and support the efforts of people doing long term ministry.

Watch CSM Video

“This trip gave me perspective on the work God is doing at so many levels: across the world, in cities, through non-profits and businesses and churches, in people’s lives, and in my own relationships and heart. I saw that He can use me as an instrument for that work, to help and encourage so many people around me. And because of the amazing Hope students I met, I was reminded of the value of godly friendship!” 
—Emma Bosch ’25

New Bern, North Carolina

Theme: Disaster Response & Rehabilitation 

World Renew is responding to disasters around the world. Hurricane Florence was a unique storm. It made landfall, swung south, and then circled back to the areas it had already hit. The town of New Bern, in eastern North Carolina, and several surrounding counties received more than 12 hours of sustained, hurricane-force winds during the storm. With over 4,000 homes in New Bern and more than 10,500 households registered for assistance with FEMA, the need for work teams to assist families who were uninsured or underinsured will go on for years. Students can demonstrate God’s love in a real and tangible way by serving with World Renew in the New Bern community working on home restoration projects.

“I see the world through a new lens. I care a lot more about disaster recovery, and I saw on a small scale the aftermath, even four years later, that a hurricane can have. I hope to go on more mission trips and my faith has taken a more global view as a result of this time.”
—Cadence Tennant ’24

Austin, Texas

Theme: Homelessness

Shifting the paradigm in understanding what it means to be “home.”

Mobile Loaves and Fishes Ministry offers students firsthand the experience and power of community. Students will stay at Community First! Village — a 27-acre master planned development that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in central Texas. Additionally, Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ Community Works program provides micro-enterprise opportunities that enable formerly homeless men and women to earn a dignified income, develop new skills and cultivate enduring relationships as they take part in a restorative journey home. Students will have the opportunity to have their hearts, minds and hands be engaged with learning the meaning of “home.”

“It made me think harder about how to serve ‘the least of these’ and how to show my love for God through showing love to others. I also had amazing discussions with my team members about how we all saw God through all of our experiences. It made us think about how we could bring all of this back to our community at Hope/Holland.”
—Sarah Borgman ’24

International Spring Break Trips

Dominican Republic

THeme: Community and Church development

TIME Ministries has been partnering with national pastors and churches to change lives and bring hope to local communities in the Dominican Republic. Students will have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with the community as they serve and help build a chapel for a local community. Students will also have the opportunity to see how God is working in the Dominican Republic through a medical outreach unit. This trip will provide a great opportunity for students to practice Spanish; however, eager English speakers are welcome.

“I loved forming relationships with the Dominicans I met through TIME Ministries. Hearing their testimonies was empowering and opened my eyes to see how big and universal our God is. It was amazing to see how there are many cultural differences between the DR and the US, yet we all serve the same God and He has been at work in many ways.” —Rachel Netz ’21

Mandeville, Jamaica

Theme: Empowering the Jamaica Deaf Adult Population

The centrally located Jamaica Deaf Village in Mandeville ministers with adult Deaf and their children. Students on this trip will have the opportunity to immerse in the Jamaican Deaf Village (JDV) and learn and serve in the JDV community.

“I have a better knowledge of seeing how global Christianity is. It was so empowering to sit in church and realize that just because we hear differently does not mean we can’t know the same God.”
—Kayla Wolma ’24

“This trip taught me to see God’s working from a different perspective and that He is moving in different ways across cultures and circumstances.”
—Makena Mugambi ’22

Montego Bay, JamaicaAll Greeks

Theme: Education for the Deaf marginalized population

The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) is a ministry that cares for the deaf of Jamaica. CCCD strives to nourish the next generation of Christian leaders by instilling students with a firm foundation of education, language skills, vocational mentoring, and encouragement in their faith journey. CCCD promotes participation in the Gospel through worship, outreach, and community. Students on this trip will have the opportunity to learn and use sign language as they interact and build relationships with CCCD students.

Watch Sheldon’s Story

“The highlight from the trip was the community both from the CCCD and with the people that I went with from Hope College. I grew in my faith by putting aside time on a daily basis to talk and read about God.”
—Landen Kleinheksel ’22

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” —Micah 6:8

More Information

Some trips may have high demand, and we may follow up with you about trip placement after you sign up. Please pray about the choices you make; we are excited about what God is going to do!

• All students are expected to attend bi-monthly meetings with their team both before and after spring break
• You are ultimately responsible for the total cost of the trip; fundraising information will be available
• Costs do NOT include immunizations, passports, food while traveling to and from location, or luggage charges at the airport

If your only reason for not registering is financial, you may contact Nancy Smith to request an application for financial assistance to help with the cost.

Standards of Excellence

In keeping with the seven Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission, Hope College is committed to the following:

• God-centeredness
• Empowering partnerships
• Mutual design
• Comprehensive administration
• Qualified leadership
• Appropriate training
• Thorough follow through