These 2‑week trips are designed for young adults dis­cern­ing a poten­tial call into global mis­sions. It’s for those who haven’t had much exper­i­ence over­seas but con­tinue to feel a nudge from God to con­sider serving in the global church. Joining an Encounter Team is a won­der­ful first step in this journey.

You’ll dis­cover what serving cross-cul­tur­ally looks like through hands-on exper­i­ence with diverse min­is­tries and com­munit­ies, and have some adven­tures along the way. As part of a sup­port­ive team guided by an exper­i­enced NZCMS staff member, you’ll gain prac­tical insight into mission life and build lasting connections.

You will Christ and the eternal impact of the Gospel at work in the world. You’ll encountere the global church in all its diversity, beauty and pain and the global church will encounter you. You’ll encounter your­self in ways you’ve never known.

Join our Encounter Team.

Join us for a journey to Nepal in 2026 — encounter a first taste of life and min­istry in a dif­fer­ent part of the world. This trip will include visits to long-term mission workers, local churches, and com­munity pro­jects. It will be all about local living, local food and trav­el­ling light. 

• July 2026 (Exact dates to be confirmed)
• 8 — 10 day journey across Nepal
• For young adults aged 18 — 30
• Includes a 3‑day prayer trek in the Himalayas

Carl and Melanie Tinnion have pre­pared and led mission teams for 30 years as part of YWAM (Youth With a Mission). No strangers to risk and faith, they sold all their pos­ses­sions and moved from the U.K. to New Zealand in 2020 after sensing a calling from the Lord to the Pacific. 

Carl now serves as Assist­ant Min­is­ter at St John’s Anglican church in Te Puke and is a Mission Cata­lyst with NZCMS. Melanie retrained here in New Zealand and is a Primary School teacher in Tauranga. 

Together, they have trav­elled to and worked in over 50 coun­tries, and love the nations and their many cultures.