Steps to sending a Mission Team to serve alongside Heirloom Church

Steps to Plan Your Trip

The following is a guide that walks you through how to plan a successful and life-changing mission trip to the Texas Hill Country.

1. Book your trip

Make sure your trip is taken care of by securing a date on our calendar. Then book travel and lodging arrangements for your team.

click here to get started

2. Plan service projects

Use our mock schedule to create the itinerary for your trip. Select [church] service projects and partner with local nonprofit organizations.

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3. Plan Austin, Texas Activities & Meals

Austin offers many fun activities. Be confident your team will enjoy their trip by scheduling a few leisurely activities in the city.

4. Prepare your team

Make sure your mission team is prepared for the work they will do in South Austin. Gather participant instructions, and study materials, and order T-shirts.

click here to get started

GETTING STARTED…

Book Dates

Arrange a meeting with Pastor Dakota to explore and finalize available dates for booking your trip. This is crucial for ensuring that we can effectively accommodate teams as we are currently launching Heirloom Church. Your input and coordination with Pastor Dakota will play a key role in establishing a seamless experience for visiting teams during this exciting phase of our growth.

1 Hour Meeting with Dakota

Travel & Lodging

Experience a smooth trip to Kyle, Texas with our dedicated support! Maggie Adair, a licensed Travel Agent, is ready to assist you in booking lodging, transportation, and any other travel needs for your service trip. Reach out to her using the contact information provided below to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable journey.

Maggie Adair
Travelmation, LLC
Email: maggieadair@travelmation.net
404-831-2620

If you decide to book your travel, here's some information to get you started:

AIR

If you are flying, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is the closest airport and cheapest to fly into. We recommend arriving on a Saturday afternoon in time for team orientation in the evening followed by Sunday service the next morning to expose your team to portable church planting.  San Antonio International Airport is another option in the area (1 Hour).

Lodging Recommendation 

Comfort Suites Kyle
5213 Physicians Wy, Kyle, TX 78640
(512) 262-0098

Hampton Inn Kyle (Often Cheapest)
151 Bunton Creek Rd, Kyle, TX 78640
(512) 268-9042

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center
1001 E McCarty Ln, San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-6450

Best Western Plus Buda Austin Inn & Suites
15295 S I-35 Frontage Rd Bldg 900, Buda, TX 78610
(512) 361-0455

Best Western Plus Buda Austin Inn & Suites
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Buda Austin South
(512) 295-5444

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Austin Buda
1240 Cabelas Dr, Buda, TX 78610
(512) 295-1600

San Marcos Academy (Rents their dorms during the Summer)

At this point, you should have...

Secured a date on the calendar
Arranged your travel
Booked your lodging

Next Step: Build your schedule

Trip Schedule

Please keep in mind Heirloom Church's needs change on a monthly/weekly basis. We may have a large amount of work for your team to do, or we may only have enough work for half days the week of your trip. As you think about your team's schedule, please remain flexible and willing to adjust to the needs of our church.

Important: Contact Dakota a few weeks before your trip to get an idea of the amount of work we have for your team. You can then schedule outside mission projects with other Austin organizations, depending on availability.

Heirloom Church Projects 

Community Engagement

One of our church plant's biggest needs is to be known in our community. We have several strategies including passing out free water bottles with our logo, handing out gift cards and treats to first responders and local businesses, or putting out door hangers. We also have coffee/food kindness hour, a red light drink giveaway, a city park giveaway booth, or goodie bags. Please be willing to help us in these efforts to reach the city.

Local Connections

Please make a list of anyone you know who lives in the Austin area. Set up meetings with them while you're in the city and connect them with Heirloom Church, if they aren't already involved with a local church. Personal connections and referrals are one of the strongest ways to build our congregation and reach the people of our city.

Special Ministry Projects

This area encompasses all needs for Heirloom, which will vary depending on the time of year that you can work with us.  These projects will include vacation bible school, sports camps, block parties, holiday outreach, area-wide outreach events, child care help, care bags for the homeless, etc.  

NonProfit Organizations

South Austin is filled with local ministries and organizations that desire to help those in need. Some of these ministries and organizations focus on the homeless, while others focus on vulnerable children or the terminally ill.  This section will provide you with a list of contacts so that you can fill your ministry schedule, do good work, and promote what Heirloom Church stands for in the community.  

Autism Society of Texas
Website | 512-479-4199
The autism society of Texas (AST) supports all individuals with autism and their families throughout the state of Texas, over the entire life span from diagnosis through adulthood. AST offers support and resources through its navigating autism program; support groups for parents and caregivers; educational events online; social groups for autistic individuals; and advocacy efforts at the state level.

Foster Villiage
Website | 512-599-4144
Foster care/adoption: we serve children and families intersecting with the child welfare system (licensed foster parents, kinship caregivers, reunifying parents, families engaging with family-based safety services, and adoptive parents). We wrap a village of support around caregivers by equipping them with critical resources, connecting families to a sustaining community, and advocating for a community beyond the system. Through our 2 home-like resource centers, we equip families with essential items at the time of placement (and during transitions of placement) and provide ongoing support through engagement with our programs and gatherings. Join us at our support gatherings or events for connection throughout the year or parents and caregivers; educational events online; social groups for autistic individuals; and advocacy efforts at the state level.

Autin20
Website | team@theaustin20.org
The Austin 20 is dedicated to supporting organizations that focus on aiding children victimized by sex trafficking, addressing critical gaps in the continuum of care.

Central Texas Food Bank
Website | 512-599-4144
Working collaboratively with food donors nationwide, financial supporters, and dedicated volunteers, the organization strives to address unmet needs in Central Texas. The commitment from a diverse array of private, government, and charitable partners has enabled them to deliver nearly 54 million meals to the community last year. These meals reach families and local nonprofits that rely on their support for assistance and sustenance.

Texas Ramp Project
Website | 214-558-0339
Texas Ramp Project provides free wheelchair ramps to low-income older adults and people with disabilities identified by local healthcare providers. Ramps are built exclusively with volunteer labor, keeping costs to a minimum. Ramps are built without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, age, or gender. The vision is that "no Texas resident shall lack safe access because of financial limitations."

Backup Plan Ideas

We're a new church plant just now onboarding mission teams for our missional efforts. There might be a mission project or two that falls through due to weather, overbooking, or other unforeseen events.  This section is critical for your planning and highly effective when the Spirit is leading.  Listed below are several opportunities to show the love of Christ in our community.  Keep in mind, that these ideas are abstract but highly effective.  While doing these activities, we ask that you wear your Heirloom Church T-shirts, which accurately represent the God we serve and the church you are helping.  If you need more information specifically on any of these projects and where you can implement them, we can provide additional guidance.  Heirloom cannot fund these efforts, however, they are effective and appreciated.

• Offer free face painting and popsicles at a local park

• Local restroom cleaning for area businesses

• Blankets for great ministry

• Soft drink giveaway

• Prayer walking the area

• Stamp giveaway in front of the post office

• Water bottle giveaway at vendor events

• Glow-in-the-dark necklace giveaway at family events

• Polaroid photos @ VBS/frame making

• Helium balloons and balloon animals

• Winter/Summer survival kits for the homeless 

Serve by Giving

We ask that by serving with Heirloom Church to bring some type of financial donation to give to the church. The suggested amount is $1,000. However, we gladly accept any amount you can give.

At this point, you should have...

Decided on South Austin service projects
Arranged other South Austin area service work
Created a backup plan in case of rain
Finalized your team's weekly schedule
Partnered with Heirloom Church through giving

Plan Austin, Texas Activities & Meals

FREE DAY

It is important to remember in Kyle that your group’s primary focus is serving the city. However, you should not at all feel guilty for taking some time each day to see a site or two. It may be the first time for many in your group to visit the city, and some of them may not have another opportunity to visit again. It also is an integral part of understanding how the city works and the people who live here.

FOOD

It can sometimes be hard to come by when looking for lodging, and often the mission schedule is so busy that it makes it hard for you to find time to cook. We have found that one of the best solutions has been to budget your trip around a cereal bar (continental-style breakfast), pack a sack lunch to eat on the go, and then give cash to participants at night.

We typically budgeted $10-$15 per person for the evening meals (Sunday-Thursday on a typical trip). Individuals who wanted to spend more supplemented with their own money. We always had thrifty members eat for closer to $5 and pocket their savings! The following is a list of affordable places and activities that we have used on previous trips for evening meals. Information and menus are easily accessible online. 

Things to do and places to eat in Austin

There are many things to do in Austin. Austin enjoys on average 222 days of sunshine each year so there are many things to do outside. You can click here to discover the variety of options.

Here are a few ideas for your team:

• Paddleboarding

• K-1 Speed Austin

• Cota Karting

• Cidercade

• Lake Travis Zipline

• Walk South Congress

• Zilker Metropolitan Park

• Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures

• Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge

• Bullock Museum

• Capital of Texas

• Murals for Photos

Food

• Terry Black’s BBQ

• Eat at Home Slice Pizza

• Jeni’s Ice Cream

• Salty’s Donuts

• Matt’s El Rancho Tex-Mex

• Lou’s

• Tiny’s Milk & Cookies

• Baked Bear

• Easy Tiger South Lamar

Things to do and places to eat in San Marcos/Kyle

While Kyle is a growing city and may not offer as many activities, the nearby city of San Marcos has several enjoyable local attractions for you and your team to explore. Click here to discover some other activities you can take your team to do.

Activities

• Evo Entertainment

• Doc's Drive-In Theatre

• Go Kayaking at the San Marcos River

• Shop at Premium Outlets

Food

• Fuego

• Bean & Brew

• Hays City Store (Driftwood)

• Torchy Tacos

• Willie's Grill & Icehouse

• Aviator's PizzaVia 313 Pizza

• Smokee Mo's

Things to do and places to eat in New Braunfels

New Braunfels is a rapidly growing suburban city with a charming blend of idyllic surroundings and metropolitan amenities. Renowned for its rich German-Texan heritage, the city attracts a significant number of visitors, particularly during the summer, who are drawn to its cold-spring rivers and diverse attractions, ranging from natural and historic sites to entertainment, shopping, and outdoor activities.

Activities

• Explore Landa Park

• Comal River

• Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels

• Gruene Historic District

• Texas Ski Ranch

• Natural Bridge Caverns

Food

• Krauses Cafe & Biergarten

• Muck & Fuss

• Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar

• Gruene River Grill

• Black’s BBQ

At this point, you should have...

Decided on South Austin service projects
Arranged other South Austin area service work
Created a backup plan in case of rain
Finalized your team's weekly schedule
Partnered with Heirloom Church through giving

Next Step: Prepare your team

Participant Instructions

Every mission trip is different, and each team brings various expertise and resources to our community. In your opening discussions with Pastor Dakota, it is important to lay out what your group specializes in and if you have certain resources that could be beneficial to Heirloom Church and to your overall mission team experience. However, there are certain things that Heirloom Church requests of each group coming to serve the city

1 | Bring Gift Bags

During the week, your group is going to be connecting with lots of people in the city, but some of those meetings will be special. For this reason, we are asking that each member of your team bring 3 gift cards to either Chick-fil-A or Starbucks for $5 each. We will provide sleeves with the Heirloom Church logo and website. As you have meaningful encounters or conversations, use these cards to help bless the individual and help make the handoff of the person to Heirloom Church so we can continue to work. 

2 | Memorize scripture

We believe that scripture is incredibly powerful, especially when partnering with the Lord to start something from scratch. Our two major verses for this year are John 13:35 and Psalm 127:1. Have your group participants memorize these verses in the weeks leading up to the trip, and this will help them remember the purpose of the trip. 

3 | Bring an extra Bible

Encourage each participant to bring an extra Bible that they can give away to someone who they meet in Kyle. During the week, you will often have an interaction with someone who is so spiritually driven that you will feel called to hand them a copy of God’s Word. Especially in a case where someone is led to Christ through an interaction with your group, having copies of the Bible further facilitates God’s work in the individual’s life. 

4 | Make a list of South Austin connections

As discussed in the intro, we are also requesting that each group member put together a list of friends, family members, and other connections he or she may have in Austin. There is a large number of people in this area that have relocated here from another area. Have your group members schedule opportunities to meet these people when you come up to serve in the city.

5 | Connect with someone

Challenge each group member to connect with one regular attendee of Heirloom Church. This requires time and energy, and intentional caring for individuals encountered in the city. At the end of the week, make the hand-off of that person and their contact information to the Heirloom Team. 

6 | Support us Financially

Finally, we are asking each team serving with Heirloom Church to bring some type of financial donation to give to the church. There is no suggested amount, but we do ask that each church give something.

To give now, please click here.

Rules for the week

1. Pray, Pray, Pray! 

Whether it is before a meal, before you begin a mission project after you have completed a set of door hangers in a neighborhood, or after parted ways with a homeless person you met on the street, always pray. 

2. Be Flexible! 

No mission trip in the history of the world has ever gone exactly the way it was planned. We believe that the Holy Spirit is active in all of our mission endeavors, and although we strive to put together an organized and working plan, we always defer to the Spirit.
  

3. Do No Harm! 

Remember, your team is here for a week, but our team is here long-term. In all things, while you are here with us, remember to leave things better than you found them and to help people move towards Jesus.

Evangelists have long known the truth of this, but it has not often been taught and understood. Almost everyone who makes a commitment to Jesus has a story to tell of people and events in their lives bringing them closer and closer to the point of total surrender. Some figures indicate that the average length of the journey, from the time people start looking for God to the time they find Him, is four years. However reliable that figure, and whatever it means, it is clear that for most people the journey to God is a long one.

AT THIS POINT YOU SHOULD HAVE...

• Given your team a list of instructions

• Ordered T-shirts for your team

Contact Information

When communicating about mission trips, please send communication to both Dakota and Cy.
Dakota Adair
Lead Pastor & Planter
dakota@heirloomchurch.org
404-804-7185

Cy Calcaun
Next Gen Director/Associate Minister
cy@heirloomchurch.org
605-641-2451

Mailing Address
Heirloom Church
PO Box 1450 Kyle, Texas 78640