10 Ways the World Race Builds Resilience and Faith in Young Adults

How a few months of missions can shape a lifetime of purpose.

Let’s be honest: being a young adult today comes with a lot of pressure. The world tells you to have it all figured out: your career path, your five-year plan, your “personal brand.” But what if what you really need isn’t more direction, it’s deeper resilience, stronger faith, and a chance to discover who God created you to be?

That’s where the World Race: Semesters comes in.

These 1-4 month international mission trips give young adults the opportunity to unplug from the noise, live simply, serve boldly, and grow in ways that textbooks and timelines never could.

Here are 10 powerful ways the World Race helps build resilient, faith-filled leaders ready to take on the world – Kingdom-style.

1. It pushes you out of your comfort zone.
   From sleeping on floors to trying unfamiliar food to navigating language barriers, the Race is full of stretching moments. But that’s where growth begins. You learn you’re stronger and braver than you thought.
2. You develop grit through unpredictability.
   Flexibility isn’t just a nice quality on the Race, it’s a necessity. When plans change (and they will), you’ll learn to adapt, pivot, and keep going with joy. You’ll discover how to stay steady even when everything feels uncertain.
3. You live in tight-knit, intentional community.
   Living in close quarters with your team teaches you communication, conflict resolution, humility, and how to love people well, even when it’s hard. Real resilience is often built in relationships.
4. You learn to rely on God, not your own strength.
   When your resources are limited, your plans fall through, or you’re emotionally drained, you’ll learn what it really means to trust God daily. Your faith won’t just grow, it will deepen in a way that can only happen when He’s all you’ve got.
5. You see the Gospel come alive.
   Faith becomes more than theory when you see the joy of someone hearing about Jesus for the first time, or the power of prayer to heal and restore. Witnessing God move builds confidence that He’s just as real and active in your own life.
6. You gain a global perspective.
   The world becomes a little smaller when you worship with believers in the Philippines, share meals in South Africa, or pray in the streets of Ecuador. You begin to see the Kingdom of God in every culture and carry it with you everywhere you go.
7. You build discipline in spiritual practices.
   Morning devotionals, team worship, listening prayer, and processing with mentors – these rhythms become part of your everyday life. They’re habits that stick long after the trip is over.
8. You learn to let go of control.
   On the Race, you don’t always know where you’ll be sleeping or what the day holds. But that’s the gift: it forces you to surrender. And surrender births freedom. You realize that when God leads, you can always trust the outcome.
9. You grow through service.
   Whether you’re playing with kids in Brazil or planting a garden in Eswatini, you learn that the heart of leadership is servanthood. You gain purpose not from spotlight moments, but from humble ones.
10. You discover who you are in Christ.
    Without the noise of social media, performance pressure, and comparison culture, you begin to hear God’s voice more clearly. You realize your identity isn’t in what you do, it’s in who He says you are. That’s the kind of confidence that can’t be shaken.

Ready to Build Real Resilience?

If you’re looking for more than a vacation or a break from routine, this is your chance to step into something bigger – something that shapes your soul and strengthens your spirit.

The World Race: Semesters is designed for young adults ages 18–30 who want to know God deeply, grow in authentic community, and make a real impact in the world.

Upcoming Semesters Trips | August 29 – November 23, 2025
South America: Brazil & Ecuador
Southern Africa: South Africa & Eswatini
Southeast Asia: Philippines & Thailand