New Mexico: A Land of New Starts
Faith in Action
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Business Exploration & Workforce Ministry
1 Week of Service • Cultural Immersion • Servant Leadership
Did You Know?
New Mexico is nicknamed the “Land of Enchantment” for its stunning desert landscapes, ancient Pueblo culture, and thriving local economy of farms, wineries, and small businesses. But beneath the enchantment, Albuquerque faces one of the highest rates of poverty and homelessness in the American Southwest — with many residents seeking nothing more than a fresh start and a chance to put their existing skills back to work.
A Land of New Starts
Paul wrote to the Ephesians about people who once took what they needed, now called instead to “work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28). That's not a verse about judgment — it's a vision of dignity restored through meaningful work. Your team will spend this mission trip partnering with a local shelter's job-readiness program, sitting down with unhoused neighbors to hear their work histories, skills, and stories, and supporting staff as they match people with jobs suited to what they already know how to do. It's slow, relational work — no quick fixes, just showing up and listening well. Students who serve in New Mexico come home changed — not because they solved homelessness, but because they discovered that everyone has a skill worth naming and a story worth hearing.
The Worldwide Faith in Action Difference
Cross-Cultural Ministry • Daily Devotions • Local Shelter Partnership • Workforce & Job-Readiness Ministry • Pueblo & Southwest Culture • 1 Week of Hands-On Service
The Worldwide Navigators Difference
Sojourn – Gain a better understanding of the community you’re visiting. Learn about different religions or spiritual practices. How do these impact the communities? How does religion or spirituality influence local traditions?
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Savor – Will you choose sweet or savory? Take the time to visit local markets and discover unique local ingredients. Learn how to prepare traditional meals & local favorites.
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Tip of the Tongue – Each morning, take the time to learn a few basic greetings and phrases in the local language. Learn how to write greetings & your name in the local script.
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A Wrinkle in Time – History influences our present. Discover the history of the country you visit. Hear the stories of your guides & their family history. Where do they come from?
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Journal Journeys – Take some time to reflect on the day’s events and document your journey. Spend a moment journaling about the day had & day ahead. These are memories for a lifetime!
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Culture – From local dances, festivals, or simple gestures to communicate – all of these make up a country’s culture. Learn and practice cultural norms & how to show respect in the culture you visit.
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Welcome to New Mexico! After arriving in Albuquerque, we’ll settle into our accommodations and gather for a welcome dinner. Opening devotional and orientation: what does it mean to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in a new culture, in your own country?
Tour Albuquerque’s Old Town, plaza, and shops. Visit the historic Los Poblanos Ranch and Farm to see a working agritourism business in action, and learn about wine production at Casa Rondena Winery. Discover the remains of Anasazi culture at the prehistoric Pueblo village of Kuaua. Evening devotional on cultivating a servant’s heart.
Tour a 1930s Rio Grande Heritage Farm and an organic lavender farm to see small agricultural businesses at work. Enjoy a progressive walking food tour through historic Albuquerque, meeting the owners of several small local restaurants. Evening devotional on the dignity of work.
Meet our local shelter partner and their job-readiness program staff. Training on respectful interviewing practices, active listening, and how to help someone identify transferable skills. Devotional: praying for the week ahead.
Our week of service begins! Alongside program staff, sit down with shelter guests to hear their work histories and skills, help draft simple resumes, and support staff as they identify job opportunities matching each person’s background. Afternoons include team debrief and reflection.
Continue interviews and resume support alongside program staff. Team members also assist with practical shelter needs — meal service, facility support, and simply spending time with guests.
Service continues, with today’s devotional focused on dignity restored through meaningful work. Afternoon: continued interviews and job-matching support.
Service continues. Today’s devotional theme centers on every person having a story and a skill worth naming. Evening: shared meal with shelter staff and guests.
Our final day of service wraps with a closing celebration alongside shelter staff and the guests we’ve come to know this week.
A joyful close to the week: rise before dawn for a hot air balloon flight over the high desert, watching the sun come up over New Mexico’s dramatic landscape
Visit the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, then white water raft down the Rio Grande for a wet and wild adventure.
Final group devotional and debrief: what did God teach us this week? Depart for home.
Choose Your Impact
Every Faith in Action mission trip pairs a full week of hands-on service with a tour component that immerses students in local history, culture, and faith. This New Mexico itinerary can be shortened, extended, or modified to fit your school’s calendar and budget.
- Value — 9–10 Day Group Trips
Ground Transportation • 2.5–3 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 2 Meals Per Day • Job-Readiness Program Materials • Daytime Tour Director • 5 Days of Service (Workforce Ministry)
- Classic — 11–12 Day Group Trips
Ground Transportation • 2.5–3 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 2 Meals Per Day • Job-Readiness Program Materials • Daytime Guided Tour Director • 5 Days of Service (Workforce Ministry) + Business Exploration & Adventure Excursions
- Epic — 12+ Day Group Trips
Ground Transportation • 3.5–4 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 2 Meals Per Day • Job-Readiness Program Materials • 24/7 Guided Tour Director • 5 Days of Service (Workforce Ministry) + Extended Business & Cultural Immersion • Final Night Celebration Dinner & Commissioning Service
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Interested in adding or modifying activities? All Faith in Action itineraries can be customized — extend the service week, add a second shelter partner, or swap in additional business or cultural excursions
Value
3-6 Day
Group Trips
- Airfare
- Transportation
- 2.5 - 3-Star Accommodations
- Daily Activities & Excursions
- 2 Meals Per Day
- Tours & Entrance Fees
- Daytime & Self-Guided Tour Director
- 1 Impact Project
Classic
7-12 Day
Group Trips
- Airfare
- Transportation
- 2.5 - 3-Star Accommodations
- Daily Activities & Excursions
- 2 Meals Per Day
- Tours & Entrance Fees
- Daytime Guided Tour Director
- Up to 2 Impact Projects
Epic
7-14 Day
Group Trips
- Airfare
- Transportation
- 3.5 - 4-Star Accommodations
- Daily Activities & Excursions
- 2 Meals Per Day
- Tours & Entrance Fees
- 24/7 Guided Tour Director
- Up to 3 Impact Projects
- Final Night Celebration Dinner
Interested in adding or modifying activities? No problem! All Worldwide Navigator itineraries can be customized to your liking!
In collaboration with our partners