A missionary survey trip is when a pre-field missionary purposely goes to the host country to pray for, prepare to move into, and pursue information needed to enter into ministry and life in that country. It is not a short-term mission, but a pre-field exercise for the home church and future missionary.

Taking 10 to 14 days for a survey trip may seem costly in time and resources, especially if there is a family involved. It may seem wasteful in this age of easy internet communication and research. For others, the survey trip can seem to postpone the actual move onto the field.

It is better to see the pre-field survey trip as a key and early investment for the home church and pre-field missionary. A future post will deal specifically on manner in which already on the field missionaries can help pre-field missionaries on their survey trip.