Short answer: members sign up for a church group tour when they hear about it early, from their pastor, with a clear picture of where the group is going, what it costs and how to save for it. Announce the trip nine to twelve months ahead, hold one information meeting with a written outline in hand, give people a simple way to register, and keep telling the story every few weeks until the group is full. Mission Travel Faith Tours plans private Christian group tours for 10 to 500 travelers and gives one free spot for every 20 paid travelers. Call 407-377-7912 to start planning.
Most pastors who call us are not worried about the trip itself. They are worried about whether enough people will come. In our experience the destination matters less than the way the trip is shared. A Holy Land tour announced once in a bulletin fills slowly. The same tour, shared by a pastor who is excited about it, with dates, an outline and a savings plan, often fills with a waiting list. This page sets out what works for churches, Christian schools, ministries, nonprofits and Bible study groups traveling with us from all over the world.
How do you get church members to sign up for a group trip?
- Start with the why. Tell people what the trip will do for their faith, not only where it goes. Walking where Jesus taught, following Paul's journeys or standing where the Reformation began turns Scripture into a place they have seen.
- Give a real outline. People commit to dates, places and a per-person estimate, not to an idea. Ask us for a written outline you can hand out.
- Make it personal. A short invitation from the pastor from the pulpit, followed by personal conversations, does more than any flyer.
- Make it affordable. Show a monthly savings figure and share fundraising ideas from day one. See our church group trip fundraising ideas.
- Make it easy. One sign-up link or form, one point of contact and a clear deposit date.
Choose a trip your church will get excited about
The easiest trips to promote are the ones that connect with what your church is already studying. A sermon series on the Gospels points to a Holy Land tour. A study of Acts or Paul's letters points to a Footsteps of Paul tour in Greece or Turkey. A Reformation anniversary or a class on church history points to Germany, Switzerland or Britain. Popular starting points include our Holy Land tours, Footsteps of Paul tours in Greece and Reformation tours for church groups.
Host one great information meeting
A single well-run meeting after a Sunday service or on a weeknight does most of the work. Keep it to about an hour:
- Open with prayer and the reason for the trip.
- Walk through the outline day by day, with photos of the main sites.
- Explain what is included: a one-of-a-kind itinerary designed for your group, private sightseeing, airport meet and greet, private transfers, 24/7 on-call support, English-speaking local guides, full breakfast daily, and entrance fees and taxes.
- Cover the payment steps and a monthly savings figure.
- Answer the practical questions: walking, luggage, passports, travel insurance and age.
- Hand out a registration form and set a date to hold places.
Invite people who have traveled with a church group before to share what it meant to them. One honest story often answers more doubts than a full presentation.
Promote it in every place your church already gathers
- Sunday services: a short pulpit invitation, a slide before the service and a bulletin insert.
- Small groups and Bible studies: ask leaders to mention it and pass round the outline.
- Email and church app: a short update every two to three weeks with one photo and one reason to go.
- Social media: short videos of the pastor talking about why this trip matters.
- Sister churches and friends: many groups open the trip to family, friends and partner churches to reach the size that lowers the rate per person.
Answer the worries before people raise them
- Cost: the rate per person drops as your group grows, and every 20 paid travelers earns one free spot. Whether your budget is large or small, we adjust the itinerary to suit your group.
- Safety and support: groups of 20 or more travel with one of our tour managers, and our team is on call 24/7.
- Fitness: we build in free time and rest days, and we customize the pace to your travelers.
- Payment: a deposit holds each place, and full payment is due once you are within 90 days of travel. Travelers can pay with more than one card or by phone with their Destination Expert.
A simple promotion timeline
- 12 months out: choose the destination, get an outline and estimate, and announce the trip from the pulpit.
- 10 to 11 months out: hold the information meeting and open registration.
- 6 to 9 months out: follow up personally with everyone who showed interest, and invite family, friends and partner churches.
- Before 90 days out: confirm final numbers and complete payment.
- After the trip: share photos and testimonies in a service. It is the best way to fill the next one.
Related planning guides
- How to plan a church Holy Land tour
- Pastor-led church group Holy Land tours
- How much does a church Holy Land tour cost?
- Private vs open church Holy Land group tours
- Bible study group tours
- Ministry and nonprofit group tours
Start planning
Tell us how many people are interested, when you hope to travel and where your church feels called to go, and we will send an outline you can share with your congregation. Visit our pastor planning page, see our private custom Christian group tours, read our FAQ, or contact us and call 407-377-7912.
