Short term
WEC Trek | What’s Involved | How to Apply | Trek FAQs | Trek testimonies
WEC Trek
WEC Trek is the short-term missions program of WEC New Zealand. We partner with individuals and churches who wish to send their people overseas, anywhere from 3 weeks to 1 year. Because our workers are serving in 75 nations, there’s a huge range of opportunities to engage with God’s global purposes.
WEC Trek’s aim is to provide you with an opportunity to learn what is involved in sharing Christ cross-culturally, and to explore whether God is leading you towards longer-term involvement, near or far. We can provide everything from training, to mentors, to debriefing.
This could be for you if you…
- want to learn how to have God’s mission at the core of your life
- are thinking about cross-cultural ministry yourself
- support a WEC worker and want to better grasp their world
- are interested in learning about least access/reached peoples
- are only able to utilize your professional skills for a defined period
- need help in training people for cross-cultural ministries
WEC Trek’s flexible programme always seeks to find the best fit between people and placement. So what are you waiting for
What’s Involved
WEC Trek offers two main programs: Our individual programme offers individualized placements alongside experienced WEC workers. These placement opportunities are between three weeks to twelve months in length. Team opportunities exist for you to join a team of four to ten people (with an experienced team leader) assisting WEC workers in a variety of ministries around the world. Teams typically last between three to five weeks.
Our pre-field preparation, supervised placement, review, and follow-up make the WEC Trek programme more than just a short-term mission trip. It is more like a mission discipleship programme.
This consists of five main stages:
1. Pre-departure reading
We prepare a pre-field manual for each Trekker with valuable information on how to prepare, what to take, etc. Included in this manual is a series of check-lists to be completed to help keep you on track. There is also reading to do from the book "Stepping Out - a guide to short term missions".
2. Orientation course
The live-in orientation course is held at WEC International's New Zealand headquarters in Gordonton (15 minutes north of Hamilton). It is held over three to five days and provides a great time of preparation to go out, as well as giving teams time to bond together.
During orientation Trekkers look at topics like:
- cross-cultural communication
- evangelism
- overseas health and logistics
- language learning
- team dynamics
- spiritual warfare
- expectations
- biblical basis for mission
3. Supervised placement
Each Trekker is placed with an experienced missionary to supervise their time on the mission field. We want to ensure that your time is both fruitful and worthwhile.
4. Review / Debrief
On return to New Zealand, each Trekker comes to our headquarters in Gordonton for a time of review of their experiences while on the Trek.
5. Follow-up
We seek to stay in touch with each Trekker on their return and encourage them.
How to Apply
All Trekkers must have the following qualifications:
- be at least 18 years old
- have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ
- have a servant heart
- have a flexible attitude
- have the necessary qualifications for their desired ministry
Process
- Initial contact with a WEC Trek office
- Preliminary profile form: This will help us to see if we can suggest placement options
- Application papers and medical form: On this we ask for addresses of referees, including one who is your church leader
- Interview: Once your references are in, if we feel we can offer you a placement, we arrange for you to come for an interview with us or with a WEC representative in your area
- Pre-departure reading: This will help you to prepare for your placement
- Orientation programme: Successful applicants will attend an orientation programme
Contact: treks@wecnz.org
Click here to download form…
Trek FAQs
Q. How long is the application procedure for a Short Term Missions Trip?
A. That depends on many factors. However, the typical process takes a minimum of three months. We process applications throughout the year. Processing your application and preparing to go overseas take a minimum of three months, but it can take around six months. It is important to enquire about possibilities early so as to avoid disappointment.
Q. What programmes does WEC Trek Short Term Mission trips offer?
A. Individual Treks offer placements from one to nine months alongside experienced WEC workers. Team Treks are usually three to five weeks and give you the chance of joining a group of four to ten people, with an experienced team leader, to assist WEC missionaries in a variety of ministries around the world.
Q. What is the best way to contact WEC Trek staff?
A. Contact WEC Trek via phone, this web site and email. We try to respond promptly to enquiries.
Q. Do you contact my home church?
A. Yes, we will ask for three addresses of referees, including one from your church leader.
Q. What are the requirements?
A. All applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, a servant heart, flexible attitude, and the necessary qualifications for their desired ministry.
Q. Who normally applies?
A. People of all ages. Many want to experience mission life in person and explore whether God is calling them to longer-term service abroad or missions involvement at home. Mature adults who are in good health and who are contemplating a career break, change or retirement sometimes apply successfully for placements.
Q. What costs are involved?
A. All WEC Trekkers are responsible for their own financial support. Costs vary depending on location and length of stay and include: return ticket to country, insurance, board/lodging and internal travel, essential vaccinations, and cost of orientation and review. Sometimes language learning involves additional costs.
Q. Where will I stay during my trip?
A. Living arrangements vary depending on the country. Typical accommodation includes living in the homes of WEC workers, of nationals or in guest houses.
Q. Will I study the language?
A. This depends very much on where you are going, how long for, what you will be doing and if you already speak the language. On placement, where necessary, some time is often spent on language learning, either in a formal class setting or individually with a language helper. During orientation we give helpful advice on how to make the most of language learning opportunities.
Q. What kind of training does WEC Trek provide?
A. For the individual programme, we provide a 2 to 4 day orientation course at our mission headquarters in Gordonton. Team Trekkers meet together for at least three days prior to departure for a similar programme and for team bonding. On return to NZ we review your Trek with you to ensure maximum benefit and to help you adjust back to life in NZ.
Q. I'm interested, what do I do now?
A. If you would like more information, complete the "Information Request Form". We encourage you to pray and seek God's leading for you in short-term missions.
Note: If you do not live in NZ contact the nearest WEC sending base for information about their short-term programme.
Testimonies
WEC Trek is not an event but a process. For many it has become a doorway into further mission service. For others it has transformed them to have a more missional mindset and lifestyle right where they are, promoting mission and supporting others, as they themselves engage locally and pray more effectively. The following are comments from people who have recently been on a life changing WEC Trek.
“Through talking with the church planters there, I now have a much better understanding about how to share the gospel with Muslims.” Karen – Middle East ‘07
“It’s hard and you need to celebrate the little breakthroughs. However, it placed in my heart the need to do more of this and to appreciate that mission is a way of living, and the role of every Christian.” Wayne – Middle East ‘07
“A significant lesson that I learned was that I need to see the Great Commission as my priority in life.” Alison – Middle East ‘07
“I now understand the importance of seeing another culture, its difference to New Zealand, and to see where and how God is at work in other cultures.” Caleb – Middle East ‘07
“The funniest moment for me was when a street salesman came up to us and said “Hello, can I rip you off?” David A. – Middle East ‘07
“Something I’m happy to leave behind is being unable to do so many ‘normal’ things because I am female. It’s reconfirmed for me though, that while it can be hard and isolating at times that the outcomes are worth it.” Laura – Middle East ‘07
“We got the opportunity to pray for people who had never before been mentioned by name before the throne of God.” David H. – Middle East ‘07
“A life changing moment for me was to see with my own eyes and up close, people bowing down before a golden statue, an idol, and worshipping it as their god.” Leona - Asia ‘07
“The new things I learnt about my God on this trek were that; he provides personally, he protects completely and he gives so much grace.” Wayne - Asia ‘07
“This trek has had a significant impact on my life. My own cultural values have been challenged. I don’t want to have a superficial or materialistic lifestyle. This has also confirmed to me that I definitely want to be a missionary.” Tina – Asia ‘07
