Create a Team

Give your church, school, or organization the adventure of a lifetime by organizing a project through Maranatha! Maranatha helps church and school groups organize their own mission trips, and there is no fee for our service. We match private groups to one of our project locations, depending on group size and schedule, and we share our expertise in arranging project logistics. From developing budgets to choosing safe and comfortable lodging, Maranatha can help volunteer teams with every aspect of project planning. Once at the mission site, we’ll even connect you with our in-country staff for additional support.

We call these mission trips “Group Projects.” While they are closed to the public, anyone can create a project through Maranatha.

The Process

1. Determine whether you have a minimum of 20 volunteers who are willing to participate. The size of your team will affect where you go and what kind of project you do.
2. Select a timeframe and country/area you might want to work. (Countries must be where Maranatha is currently working.)
3. Contact Maranatha to discuss options, and then decide on preferred dates and location.
4. Fill out and email your Team Application Form (with preferred dates, location, and name of your project coordinator) to leaders@maranatha.org.
5. Work with Maranatha to confirm a project location and a work scope for your group.
6. Go on a site visit to research project location and determine lodging, resources, and outreach opportunities. (Only required for projects in Central and South America.)
7. Recruit team of leaders:
   • Construction leader, supervises construction site
   • Spiritual leader, coordinates worship and spiritual activities
   • Cook, plans menus and oversees all food preparation for team
   • Team medic, a medical professional such as a nurse or doctor to serve any health issues the team
   • Outreach coordinator, organizes outreach such as children’s ministries (optional)
   • Medical outreach coordinator, organizes medical or dental clinics (optional)
8. Set a participation fee per volunteer, based on your total budget (usually excluding airfare costs).
9. Finalize participant list and fundraise for the project.
10. Collect your group members’ participation fees through your local church or school.
11. Send a check to Maranatha to pay for insurance coverage and volunteer project fees.
12. When your team arrives in the country for the project, our in-country volunteer coordinator will be there to support you throughout the project.
13. Your work site will have all building materials ready for your team to begin, along with a trained Maranatha crew to help as necessary.

Fund a Building

Maranatha relies on the generosity of donors to fulfill the requests for churches and schools. Sometimes, funds for projects are not in place before we begin construction, and Maranatha must work on faith.

Some teams choose to assist with the costs of construction by raising money for the very project they build. We realize that not all teams are able to do this, but we appreciate every effort! It makes a huge difference!

Funding amounts vary by project location. If you are interested in fundraising for a building, please let us know.