Missions Challenge Levels - NLW International

Our Mission Trip Level ratings are meant to be a helpful guide for potential mission trip members.

LEVEL 1

Language barriers: Practically none
Comforts: Similar to 1st World accommodations
Food: Similar to most US diets
*Security risks: Low
Emergency care: Well-equipped hospital in region
Physical fitness: Minimum walking and physical exertion

LEVEL 1+

a marked escalation in certain areas of Level 1

LEVEL 2

Language barriers: Many church leaders speak English
Comforts: Possible 2nd-3rd World accommodations
Food: Some differences to US diets
*Security risks: Low-medium
Emergency care: Adequate hospital in region (for most injuries)
Physical fitness: some physical exertion

LEVEL 2+

a marked escalation in certain areas of Level 2

LEVEL 3

Language barriers: Few speak English
Comforts: 3rd World accommodations
Food: Vast differences to US diets
*Security risks: Medium-high
Emergency care: No trusted hospitals in region
Physical fitness: much walking and physical exertion

LEVEL 3+

a marked escalation in certain areas of Level 3 (think extreme)

Important Notes:

“1st World” means developed countries similar to England or Germany.
“2nd World” means developing countries similar to South Africa or Sri Lanka
“3rd World” means under-developed countries similar to Zimbabwe or Bangladesh

LEVELS 1-1+ are generally recommended for first-time mission trip people
LEVELS 2-2+ are generally recommended for experienced mission trip people
LEVELS 3-3+ are recommended only for experienced mission trip people who are in excellent physical condition

*Security risks are accessed based on information from US and local government websites and also from our local country hosts.

Disclaimers:

This guide is an unscientific evaluation which may or may not completely accurate. We recommend you also consult the US government’s recommendations for each country.

As much as the NLWI team does its best to keep team members safe and secure, the reality is that anything can happen to anyone at any time while on a mission trip. We can make no guarantees about a team member’s complete safety (not even for trips in the US).

We require all mission team members to complete a waiver form and a medical release form. In addition, for challenge levels of 2 or higher, medical trip insurance may also be required. Level 3 trips may require a recent physical fitness exam.