Short Term Missions 2026
Kenya
When? July 31 - August 15, 2026
Where? Two Maasai tribes outside of Nairobi, Kenya
What will we do? The team will facilitate a Women's Health Symposium in two Maasai tribes over the course of two weeks. We will invite women from each tribe to attend the 3-4 day symposium, which includes multiple sessions of teaching and time for personal medical care: care for body and soul.
Who is on the team? Cheryl Crocker and Stacy Hollingsworth (two Kirk-supported missionaries) will lead the team. Abby Karsten will be the Bible teacher. We are gathering the rest of the team (all women), which will include at least one doctor (or nurse practitioner) and other support. This could look like medical care or running a kids club.
Estimated cost? The final cost of the trip will depend on airfare and expenses in Kenya, but will not exceed $5,250.
Background information: Cheryl Crocker has been organizing and facilitating annual Women's Health Symposiums in Kenya since 2015. She has teamed up with Stacy Hollingsworth, who founded and runs the Esther Shop Project and the Glory Rescue Home. The Esther Shop Project is dedicated to connecting women with artisanal skills to a market with an income stream, which is how we have a relationship with two Maasai tribes.
In 2024, three women from the Kirk (Abby, Tracy Gonsior, and Emily Fentress) joined Cheryl, Stacy, and four other women to bring the Women’s Health Symposiums to the Maasai women, in their tribes. Four women worked with the kids from the tribes, putting on a VBS-style program for them. The Maasai women spent time in worship and listening to the Bible lessons and talks on healing from trauma. Through this trip, we learned that each of these tribes have a church and a pastor, and they are thrilled to give their women this opportunity to learn and receive care.
Application Details: Applications are now open (women only, due to the nature of this trip) and will close on April 27th. There will be an informational meeting on Sunday, Apr 12, 2026 in the chapel, from 11:30-11:45am. Abby, Tracy, and Emily share their experience from 2024 and answer questions.
While we invite any woman to apply, there is a team size-limit due to lodging and transportation. Selection to this team will be prioritized based on external evidence of spiritual maturity and mission-relevant skills and capacity.
Please contact Abby Karsten at abby.karsten@thekirk.org with questions.
Puerto Rico
What & Where: This summer, we're excited to announce that we'll be taking a youth mission team to Puerto Rico! We will be partnering with Hunger Corp, a non-profit in Puerto Rico that exists to help underserved communities flourish through social, educational, and economic development. On every mission trip Kirk Student Ministry takes, we find the Lord is faithful, working not only with the communities we're coming alongside but also in the hearts of every student and leader who participates. We look forward to seeing once again how He will move as we answer His call to "go".
When: May 23rd to 29th
Who Can Go: Most spots on this trip are reserved for individuals currently in 8th to 12th grade. We are looking for college-aged students and parents to join and serve on the trip as well! While there is no upper-age limit to this trip, we do require that all applicants are able to walk frequently and without aid.
Application Details: Applications are now open and will close on January 12th.
We encourage you to prayerfully consider applying for this team. Please note, filling out the application just means you are interested in being considered. We do have a limited number of spots on this trip. First consideration/priority will be given to youth and leaders who are members of Kirk and/or consistent participants of our ministry. We'll send out more information and set an informational meeting before you would need to confirm your spot.
To read more about Hunger Corp, visit: https://www.hungercorp.org/
If you have any questions related to this trip, please reach out to our
Director of Student Ministries by email at andrew.schonhoff@thekirk.org or by phone at (314) 392-4700x111