We are now offering family mission trip opportunities that serve as a natural "next step" for those who have attended a family retreat at SMR.
These trips are designed to provide an opportunity for your family to grow together and to grow to be more like Christ as you go, love, and serve those in other countries.
Family mission trips have positively impacted our lives in many ways. They have changed the way we think, talk, and pray. While a family mission trip is a significant commitment of time and resources, we think it is worth considering.
The benefit of a family mission trip goes far beyond the actual days you are "in country." A trip of this magnitude can become a family focal point two months or more beforehand and remain a key factor in your family life for several months afterward. It may be more accurate to think of this as a six-month experience rather than a 10-day trip.
These are called 'family mission trips' because we invite your whole family to come along, with children of all ages. People have asked why we would take our younger children on these trips. Our desire is to follow Christ together as a family, regardless of the ages of our children. We see these trips simply as another step in following the Lord and trust that He can pour His love on others through our entire family.
We have witnessed what several missionaries have said to be true: the Lord loves to use children to break down cultural and religious barriers so that the gospel can be heard.
March 2012 - Romania
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support for the family mission trip to Romania this spring. We had a wonderful time serving the Romanians together alongside of other Christians there. We have included some pictures, stories, and a slideshow to give you a picture of what you helped happen through your prayers.
Read more about this trip. 
November 2010 - Romania
Five families (including 20 children) went to Romania to share Christ's love. The team received far more than they gave.
Read more about this trip.
April 2010 - Chicago
We planned to go to Romania but the volcano in Iceland kept us in Chicago.
Click here to read more about this surprising trip.
August 2009 - Romania
In August 2009, some of the SMR staff went to western Romania to build relationships with ministry partners and pave the way for a family mission trip with Sonrise guest families in 2010.
November 2007 - India
In November 2007, some members of the SMR board and staff went to New Delhi, India for a family mission trip. We had the chance to share Christ's love and truth with children in the slums, pastors studying at a ministry training institute, husbands and wives at during two marriage seminars, and multiple congregations of believers during church services. Everyone who went on the trip agreed that it was an incredibly impacting experience. To see a slideshow of the trip, click here.
Contact Us
If you would like to be on the mission trip interest list or are ready to sign up for our next family mission trip, please contact us.