Take the message of Jesus to Tyler, Texas by serving in shelters and feeding the hungry in soup kitchens. Minister to enthusiastic children in local parks with games, stories, skits and sports. Through hard work and sacrifice you will impact the lives of the precious people of East Texas. You will be amazed at the hearts receptive and willing to accept Jesus Christ as Savior because of your sharing the Truth in word and deed. This isn’t summer camp, it’s living your life on a mission!
Mission Trips & Dates
Trip V June 11 – June 19 | $399
Ministry Rating: 3 of 5
Physical Rating: 1 of 5
Must be 11 to 13 years old by mission trip start date
Mission trip starts and ends in Garden Valley, Texas
A Missionary’s Story
The shy and timid Maya shocked me with her final request near the end of the Texas Juniors trip. Maya, who mostly stayed near the back of the group throughout the beginning of the outreach, starting asking me if she could be the one to knock on the door to invite people to the VBS. She even ended up leading a drama during the next VBS. It was amazing to watch the boldness God gave this quiet, young girl, and to see the multitude of people she ended up reaching! It was astonishing to see God using kids from ages 11-13, an age that society doesn’t consider to hold influence because of their youth and lack of life experience. At the end of the trip Maya gave me a letter thanking God and me for helping to push her out of her comfort zone. At 11 years old, Maya now wants to live boldly for Christ and proclaim His goodness to the lost and hurting!
Quick Facts
Tyler, the county seat of Smith County, is one of the leading cities of East Texas. It is ninety-nine miles southeast of Dallas at the junctions of U.S. highways 69 and 271 and State highways 14, 31, 64, 110, and 155. The city was authorized on April 11, 1846, when the Texas legislature voted to establish Smith County and a corresponding county seat. The town site, located near the geographic center of the county, was selected by a panel of commissioners appointed by the legislature and was named for President John Tyler in recognition of his support for admitting Texas to the United States.. Buoyed by the prosperity of the surrounding farms and plantations, Tyler quickly emerged as a leading shipping and commercial center for the region. In 1856, just nine years after its founding, one writer remarked that Tyler was “already a place of considerable importance, and contains many buildings of taste and beauty.”
Climate: A prime commodity in east Texas is the consistently mild weather. East Texas has an average of 245 days of sunny weather annually. Usually, Tyler’s winter is limited to January and February.
Population: 91,936
Language: English and Spanish
Religion: Christian and Atheist
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Currency: United States Dollar
Ministry Partners
Travis White holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Louisiana State University (Shreveport) and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Amberton University. He and wife Regenea are parents to Amanda (a junior at UT Tyler) and a son who is a junior at Brook Hill. Together the White’s are boarding parents in the Boys’ house. In addition to his boarding and counseling roles at Brook Hill, Mr. White is the mission’s pastor at Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler and the Executive Director of a non-profit ministry called Mission Tyler. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, the outdoors, soccer, and fishing. He is also a huge fan of all kinds of music.
Stories and Videos
Coming Soon!
Trip Details
Schedule:
• 11 June –Arrive in Garden Valley, TX and meet your team
• 12-13 June –Train for mission in Tyler
• 14 June –Depart for Tyler
• 15-17 June –Minister in Tyler
• 18 June – Spend the day touring Tyler
• 19 June –Depart for home and change the world
Packing List
Required Items
• One large duffle bag or case (airline regulation says it must be less than 50 lbs.)
• One carry on (generally a backpack)
• One sleeping bag, pillow, and sheet
• Fun Day Cost, $35.00
• Pair of work gloves (not garden gloves, but work gloves).
• Bible, notebook, and pen
• Nalgene or wide-mouthed water bottle
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery operated alarm clock
Clothing
• 6-7 t-shirts or tank tops (must have 3 finger width straps) withno political, secular movie/music messages
• 5-6 pairs shorts/capris/jeans- must be modest length
• Pajamas, undergarments, and socks (enough to last two weeks)
• Swimsuit- Girls: One piece (must wear shorts and t-shirt to and from the pool). Guys: must wear t-shirt to and from pool
• 1 sweatshirt
• Cheap flip flops (for showers)
• Tennis Shoes
Toiletries
• Towel
• Personal Items: shampoo, deodorant, razor, soap, toothbrush,etc.
• Insect repellent (with DEET)
• Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
Food
• 1 Plastic jar of Peanut Butter (28oz or larger)
• 1 Plastic squeeze bottle of Jelly (22oz or larger)
* Due to airline regulations, your PB & J must be packed in your checked baggage, but make sure it’s easily accessible because it will be collected upon registration.
Miscellaneous Optional Items
• Spending money (suggested $50 US per week)
• $10(CASH) to purchase a professionally taken project specific photo
• Personal Items, chap stick, vitamins, etc
• Camera
• Package of anti-bacterial hand wipes/sanitizer
• Anti-diarrhea medicine (preferably tablets), Kaopectate or pill equivalent
• Powdered drink mix (Gatorade), gum, granola bars, etc.
• MP3 Player or IPOD (absolutely no secular music!)
• Candy and toys for kids during VBS
**Theft is always a possibility when you travel abroad. Please don’t bring anything that you can’t afford to lose. We recommend that you label items with your full name.
**Make sure that all your luggage meets standard flight check in codes (No more than 50 lbs.) and that it can be easily carried by yourself!
Additional Weather Information: go to www.myforecast.com for specific weather information.
Mission Trip Leadership
V Trip: Austie Spearman Woodall
After working at Teen Mania Ministries for 5 years, Austie made the trek home to Ohio. She is currently working as an accountant at a full-service medical clinic. She is also involved in her local church with women’s ministry, worship, and children’s ministry. She has been on a number of trips with Global Expeditions including the Dominican Republic, New Orleans, Costa Rica, New York, Dallas, Tijuana, Jamaica, and Italy. We are honored to work with her and watch the Lord mold her heart more and more for His kingdom!