World Race: Gap Year 2020

Why take a Gap Year?

It's important to bring God to the center of your life while making big decisions. Taking an intentional year off from school can actually propel you into making the most of your college experience, or whatever you may decide to do.

We've seen the fruit of students making wise decisions and doing great things, in college and afterwards, because they took a season to seek after God's heart while serving His people.

World Race: Gap Year gives you a chance to discover what passions, gifts, and talents God has given you to pursue for the Kingdom of God.

What makes World Race: Gap Year different?

The World Race currently serves in dozens of countries, spanning from the tip of South America to the vast wild of Mongolia, and focuses on three main areas: mission, discipleship, and adventure. The World Race is different because it’s the only mission program that allows you to go to more countries than the average gap year program covering 3 continents in 9 months. And you'll learn by doing.

Jesus taught His disciples by having them pray for the sick, evangelize, and numerous other things they didn'’t study for. They were just normal people, who stepped out in boldness, allowing God to use them for extraordinary things.

What do we actually "do" on the Race?

Every day on the World Race: Gap Year looks a little different. Some days will be packed full with construction, VBS, building relationships with orphans, or praying for the sick at a hospital.

Some days could be slower — shopping for groceries at the market, cooking for your team, and spending time praying for the community you walk through. Much depends on our ministry partner’s needs in each country, and specifically during your team's month with them! Regardless of the pace or the activity, every day will be focused on being a part of God's Kingdom work.

Do I have what it takes?

We are looking for Racers with good attitudes and a willingness to grow. We are looking for people who are passionate about seeing God’s Kingdom come to life in the world. While ministry and travel experience are helpful, they're not a requirement for World Race: Gap Year. In fact, any lack of ministry experience, or your experiences / struggles do not disqualify you from becoming a Racer.

How old do you have to be to go?

World Race: Gap Year encompasses ages 18 to 20. Age range is based on the launch window. For example, a Racer launching in September 2019 must turn 18 by September 1, 2019.

If you are over age 20 and want to go on the World Race, visit this page for details.

Can I afford it?

We understand raising money can be intimidating, which is why we pair you with an admissions advisor who will guide you through the support raising process. And we only require a portion of the money to be raised before you leave; the rest can be raised while you're on the field. If you're worried about finances, don't be. Over the years, we've learned time and time again that when God calls, He provides.

Here's a closer look at the numbers:

Only 4.6% of participants who start the Race have raised 100% of their funds by training camp, 20.8% typically raise their funds by the launch.

You will need to meet the following deadlines for your trip:

The trip fundraising amount now includes an estimated $800 to cover the cost of a required MissionSafe medical insurance plan, and $300 to cover your entrance to Project Searchlight, a month 10 debrief for your squad. It focuses on re-entry and will take place at our headquarters one month after you return home.

When you look at the trip’s fundraising amount, the amount needed for the World Race averages to less than $62 a day – and you’ll be fundraising that money! The average cost of living in the U.S. is $65 a day.

We have a plan, a process, and tools to help you fundraise. We take every Racer through our fundraising process built around relationship-building. We give each Racer a fundraising coach who will equip you with practical tools to help you set and achieve your fundraising goals.

What if the route I want fills up?

Because we offer a variety of routes for each launch window, these routes will fill up unevenly. We can only launch a limited number of Racers on each route. Although we will allow routes to exceed capacity, we do expect some people to drop before training camp. If routes remain unbalanced, we may ask some Racers to switch routes within the same launch window prior to training camp.

What happens when the route fills up while I'm in the middle of applying?

Your route reservation is determined by the date you pay your $200 trip deposit.

This happens when your application is completed, you've had your interview, your acceptance has been confirmed by admissions, and your first deposit of $200 has been made.

Applying for a route does not guarantee there are or will be available spots by the time you pay your deposit.
Routes will be marked "Join Waitlist" when we reach capacity but are still accepting applications in lieu of anticipated drops. If you are accepted after the route is full, you will still have a spot on a route leaving the same month.
Routes will be marked "Full" when we are no longer accepting applications.