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Mission Trip Commissioning Litany

Use this mission trip commissioning litany in worship to send out a group preparing to represent your church on a mission trip. Being commissioned is an important part of preparing to go out and serve the kingdom. It also allows your church’s congregation to understand and feel connected to the work your team will be doing. A litany is a form of prayer that alternates between several different speakers (often a leader and a congregation). In the litany below, a leader, a church elder, and team representative offer prayer, Scripture passages, and blessings for your team.

Litany for commissioning a mission trip team

Leader: There are different gifts, but the same Spirit that gives them. There are many ways to serve God, but the same Lord is served. Each one of us is given gifts by the Spirit to use for the common good. Together we are the body of Christ, and individually we are members of that body. 

Briefly describe your mission project. 

Call team members and prayer partners up. Have prayer partners stand behind team members.

Leader: Family and friends, I present to you those whom God has called to represent our congregation in this mission project.

Mission team, I present to you those who will support you as you go out. They believe your mission is important, and they trust that God will be with you as you complete it.

Elder: In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells us to go and make disciples. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus calls us to go and tell the good news to everyone, everywhere. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to be with us. And in the gospel of John, Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” (20:21).

What is a mission? It is sending forth people to serve. God sends people on a mission.
What is a commission? It is granting authority, allowing us to act on behalf of another. God commissions people to go.
You, as a team and as individuals, are sent forth by God to a specific service.
You, as a team and as individuals, are sent with a commission from God to go and act on God’s behalf.
You, as a team and as individuals, will demonstrate Christ’s teachings by loving one another.
You, as a team and as individuals, will serve faithfully to bring honor and glory to God.

Team member: read Isaiah 6:8 

Elder: read Matthew 28:18–20

Leader: Guiding and loving God, empower these people to be your hands and feet. Help them to glorify you by serving others. Send them into the world to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and warm those who are cold. By their actions and words, make them witnesses of your great love and your passion for rescuing your people. Protect them, teach them, and support them as they become the people you want them to be. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and enable them to complete their tasks faithfully and joyfully. Bring them safely home and then let their experiences further enrich us, so that we too may glorify you by sharing the love of Christ. Give this team strength, wisdom, and love to work for you as they serve. Amen.

Want more trip planning support? Our short-term mission team would love to help.