New York School of Urban Ministry
Trip Preparation & Guidelines
Preparing for a mission trip to New York City is an important part of making the most of your time serving with the New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM).
Preparing for a mission trip to New York City is an important part of making the most of your time serving with the New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM). This page outlines everything your team needs to know before arriving at our ministry campus, including what to pack, housing accommodations, campus expectations, and how to prepare spiritually and practically for urban ministry.
Our goal is to help every team arrive prepared, confident, and ready to serve. By reviewing these trip preparation and trip guidelines, your group will be equipped to focus fully on the ministry opportunities God has prepared during your time in New York City.
What to Pack
Regardless of whether your trip will be a weekend, weeklong or somewhere in between, NYSUM recommends traveling light and bringing only essential items for the trip. We recommend not bringing personal items of value that won’t be used during your mission work as NYSUM is not responsible for anything that might be lost or stolen.
NOTE: We provide 1 set of linens for your whole stay which includes a washcloth, bath towel, a fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillow case & pillow, and a blanket.
- Modest clothing according to the weather, with at least 1 pair of pants even during summer time. No form fitted nor revealing clothes, which includes but is not limited to: yoga pants, gym pants, leggings, tank tops, spaghetti strap shirts, short shorts, miniskirts, deep plunge/V-neck shirts. A light wind/rain jacket is also recommended.
- At least 1 pair of closed shoes or comfortable sneakers, shower shoes are also recommended.
- Hand sanitizer
- Water bottle
- Phone Charger
- Small bag or a sack pack
- Basic travel size toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)
- Small First Aid Kit (Team Leaders)
- Pocket Money to use on your day off
Room And Board
During your stay at the NYSUM Ministry Campus, your team will be hosted in dormitory-style accommodations designed for mission teams visiting New York City.
Accommodations for up to 300 guests are available in bunk-bed dormitory rooms that typically house 4–10 people per room. Each dormitory room includes a private bathroom stall (toilet and sink), while individual showers are located throughout each floor.
- 6 showers on the men’s floor
- 12 showers on the women’s floor
Dormitory floors are gender-specific, and during peak ministry seasons it is possible that multiple teams may share a dormitory room depending on group sizes and campus occupancy.
Our campus housing is designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and community-oriented environment where teams can rest, connect, and prepare for daily ministry activities across New York City.
NYSUM House Rules
As you prepare your team to serve with us, we invite you to review our Ministry Campus House Rules.
These guidelines apply to all teams and guests staying on the NYSUM campus — no exceptions.
Our House Rules help create a Christ-centered, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone can grow, rest, and serve together in unity. By honoring these expectations, we cultivate a space that reflects God’s love, promotes community, and supports the mission He has entrusted to us.
Please review the full guidelines before your arrival:
What to Expect
Serving in New York City through NYSUM is both exciting and transformative. Your team will experience urban ministry firsthand while partnering with local ministries and communities across the city.
Throughout the week, participants will encounter the diverse cultures, neighborhoods, and communities that make New York one of the most international cities in the world. Teams will serve alongside experienced ministry leaders who help guide outreach efforts, provide training, and help participants understand the deeper realities of urban mission work.
As you interact with people from many backgrounds, your team will have opportunities to share the love of Christ, build meaningful connections, and participate in ministry that can impact lives—leading them to the Lord and encouraging faith in practical ways.
Expect each day to include a balance of:
- Ministry outreach and service opportunities
- Cultural learning experiences
- Time for rest and community with your team
- Team reflection and spiritual growth
These experiences often become some of the most meaningful and life-changing moments of a mission trip.
How to prepare – Spiritually
During your stay at the NYSUM Ministry Campus, your team will be hosted in dormitory-style accommodations designed for mission teams visiting New York City.
Accommodations for up to 300 guests are available in bunk-bed dormitory rooms that typically house 4–10 people per room. Each dormitory room includes a private bathroom stall (toilet and sink), while individual showers are located throughout each floor.
- Constant prayer as a group and individually for the trip
- Lift up the trip and group during church service and prayer meeting
- Follow a group devotional plan based on mission themes along with a small group study.
- Follow a group devotional plan based on mission themes along with a small group study.
- Praying & Fasting, individually & collectively as health/time permits
- Practice public prayer with team members, along with role-playing witnessing encounters. If possible transition locally to real street outreach before coming.
- Adopt a servant heart at home, work, school, etc. serving those around us in need, be it strangers or family & friends.
- Adopt a prayer/ministry partner from your group to help you serve on your trip.
- Memorize some basis scriptures to enable you to become an effective soul winner while on the streets of NYC, such as but not limited to:
John 3:16 / John 14:6 / Rom. 10:13 / Acts 3:19 / Rom. 1:16 / John 3:7 / Rom. 6:23 / Heb. 9:27
How to Prepare – The Ministry Work
Whether specific outreach activities were requested by your group, or you’re willing for NYSUM to set up your schedule as we feel led to, please download and review the following documents in the links below. They breakdown the mission work your team will be engaged in so you can prepare accordingly. Our Outreach Overview will cover the general sense of the varied outreaches your team may be engaged in, while our Ministry Booklet will cover our most common outreaches in depth.
We recommend they be printed and distributed to the whole team, then meet as frequently as possible to prepare for the outreaches that can be prepped ahead of time. Children ministry will require skits, games, songs, etc. to reach multi-cultural inner city kids, while small worship sets may be used for a small chapel service or street evangelism. Should you have any questions or need further guidance feel free to contact us.
How to Prepare – Urban Travel
NYC can be vastly different for your home town/city, and even if coming from another major city in the US, New York can have a totally unique and different environment compared to the rest of the nation. The diversity in almost every aspect of our society can be a culture shock, add to that the large scale of the 5 boroughs and the massive transit system underground, and your team can feel overwhelmed. We strongly recommend instilling in your group the following guidelines to ensure the team remains safe and focused on their trip:
- ALWAYS follow and comply with your leadership, be it from your group, NYSUM staff or a partner site staff. This is especially essential while traveling thru the city. Open communication, clarification and questions are always welcome. NYSUM follows this model of ministry, in that Spiritual Breakthrough comes through servanthood and humility.
- Never break off from your group without an escort and permission from the NYSUM Staff Leader
- Always be accompanied by at least 1 more person
- Never give cash to those we serve, and don’t carry unnecessary valuables with you
- Never provide personal info, phone number, home address or social media
- Stay close to the group and avoid having the team stretch out unnecessarily
- Maintain the pace consistent and keep up with the group, avoid having leadership be calling your attention constantly unnecessarily
- Follow instructions/directions while traveling. That said, be mindful of your surroundings, paying attention to signs and traffic as opposed to just following the group around distracted
- Be courteous and respectful to those around you regardless of their demeanor or attitude, avoid conflictive individuals
- Always be open to ways we can bless and serve others as the Lord gives us opportunities
- Notify your leadership or NYSUM staff of anything unusual, be it a health issue or an apparent/possible dangerous person and/or situation
