WEC International USA
WEC Trek USA Program FAQs
WEC Trek's IP program provides opportunities to serve from two months to one year. Our pre-field preparation, orientation, post-field debrief and one-year follow up make this program more than just a short-term mission trip. It’s more like a complete cross-cultural discipleship course.
Distinctives:
- Flexibility
- Emphasis on language and cultural study
- Mentoring atmosphere of working closely with experienced personnel
You propose where you want to go, what you want to do and how long you want to stay. WEC Trek then matches you with WEC personnel in your country of choice and sets up a program geared to your ministry interests. After your placement is confirmed the WEC team on the field will formulate an individual job description for you. WEC Trek's goal is to place you in an environment where you, as a serious seeker, can experience cross-cultural ministry in person and explore whether God is leading you towards long-term service overseas or involvement in the Great Commission from home.
You must:
- Be 18 or older
- Complete all pre-orientation assignments and attend all orientation and debrief sessions
- Have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ
- Be seeking to find your role in God’s plan for the world
- Desire to serve instead of being served
- Be willing to be flexible and culturally sensitive
- Have the skills, education or experience necessary to perform your ministry overseas
Most of our applicants are men and women between the ages of 18 and 30. Many anticipate God using their short-term experience to clarify His will for them concerning cross-cultural ministry.
We also receive a significant number of applications from mature adults in good health who have retired early. Many of them are contemplating a change in careers and want to use their skills, wisdom and knowledge in a cross-cultural ministry.
We accept singles, couples and families with children.
Before coming to WEC USA’s headquarters for orientation you’ll receive a pre-field manual that walks you through the steps you need to take to get to your country of service.
We also require you to find a mentor to walk with you through the process of preparing, pray for you while on the field and encourage you during the debriefing and follow-up program.
Topics covered:
- Personal preparation
- Raising a support team
- Obtaining a passport, visa and immunizations
- The nuts and bolts of packing
- Country research
Your manual will also include a budget, required reading list and some forms you’ll need to fill out.
Before you leave for your overseas assignment, WEC Trek will provide an excellent and thorough one-week orientation at WEC USA’s headquarters in Philadelphia, PA
Topics covered:
- Audio-visual storytelling
- Biblical basis of missions
- Church planting (introduction to)
- Cross-cultural communication & adaptation
- Culture shock
- Dependency issues
- Expectations
- Guarding your heart
- Health & safety
- Language learning
- Missions challenge
- Research on the country of ministry
- Sharing your faith cross-culturally
- Spiritual warfare
- WEC overview
- Working on an international missionary team
You’ll also go on a prayer walk and visit ethnic neighborhoods to apply what you learned.
Immediately after returning from your trek you’ll participate in a vitally important time of debriefing.
Debriefing provides an excellent environment to:
- Process your WEC Trek experience
- Write a debrief report
- Share about your trip
- Ask God how to use your short-term mission experience to make long-term changes in your life
Debriefing includes sessions on:
- Re-entry stress (reverse culture shock)
- Sharing your experience
- Serving as a "sender" or "goer."
WEC Trek’s one-year follow-up program will help keep your WEC Trek experience fresh and challenge you to continue your involvement in the Great Commission, here at home or in another culture. Your mentor will be a vital part of your follow-up experience.
When
Generally our one-week orientations are held in:
- Early January
- Late May
- Mid June
- Late August
Depending on the demand, WEC Trek may schedule additional orientations throughout the year. Call us at 
888-646-6202 ext. 270
Where
Orientations and debriefs are held at WEC USA’s sending base, located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on a historical site called Camp Hill. In November 1777, General George Washington's Continental Army encamped on this ridge before moving to Valley Forge for the winter. A century later John R. Fell chose this spot to build a lavish country estate for himself and his bride, Sarah Drexel. Crowning the estate is a 43-room stone mansion we call "The Castle"—a pretty cool setting for WEC Trek orientations and debriefs.
WEC Trek processes applications year round. Processing your application and getting you ready to go overseas will take a minimum of four months. The earlier you apply the more likely it’ll be that we’ll able to place you in your country of first-choice.
- Check out opportunities and locations available to you through WEC Trek on our Trip FAQs and Opportunities pages.
- Pray and ask God to lead you to the place He wants you to go.
- If you live in USA, complete our Next Step form to let us know what country and ministry you’re interested in. We’ll send you information about our program. If you are interested you can let us know and we’ll set up a phone interview.
- Or call our WEC Trek office (888-646-6202 ext. 200) weekdays between 8:00am and 5:00pm Eastern Time.
Note: WEC Trek USA only processes applications from people living in the USA. If you live outside the USA, contact the WEC Trek office or WEC sending base nearest you for more information.
