Mission Builders Survey

The Mission Builder program, a self-supporting ministry of the ELCA, invites people of faith—retirees, tradespeople, RV travelers, and anyone with a willing spirit—to use their hands and hearts to answer God’s call to walk alongside congregations and outdoor ministries as they share the good news of the gospel by ministering to and caring for their neighbors. 

Over the past 38 years, Mission Builders has partnered with more than 190 ministries completing over 260 projects throughout the United States including projects in 34 states and territories. The program began with a small group of volunteer couples who lived on-site in travel trailers or RVs for several months at a time, building new church facilities for emerging congregations. As the needs of the Church evolved, we shifted to remodeling, expanding, and updating camp and ministry buildings. Living arrangements also diversified with some volunteers continuing to travel with RVs while others stayed in guest rooms or cabins provided by host ministries, sharing daily devotions, meals, worship, and meaningful fellowship with one another and with the host congregation.

While our calling to this ministry of service remains strong, the COVID pandemic has changed the types of projects needed by our partners and reduced volunteer availability while increasing administrative and construction costs. Mission Builders is entering a period of discernment to allow us to continue to be a vital and relevant ministry of the ELCA in a changing world.

We invite you to share your thoughts by responding to a brief survey and/or attending one of three upcoming virtual listening sessions. To get the most diversity of viewpoints possible, we would appreciate separate responses from each member of your household. Your insights will help shape the next chapter of this meaningful, service-focused ministry.

Regards,

Mission Builder Advisory Board
Jim Dyess, Steve Schenk, Sue Ost, Bruce Pollock, Dean Hatzenbihler, Jon Halvorson

ELCA Mission Builders-Program Director
Josiah Benedict

ELCA Mission Builders – Volunteer Interest & Demographic Survey

(Approx. 13 minutes to complete)

Section 1 — Virtual Listening Session Interest

I am interested in attending a virtual listening session:
☐ Monday, December 8, 2025— 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CST / 6:00 PM MST / 5:00 PM PST 
☐ Wednesday, December 10, 2025 — 1:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST
☐ Saturday, December 13, 2025 — 10:00 AM EST / 9:00 AM CST / 8:00 AM MST / 7:00 AM PST

Section 2 — Project Availability & Interest

Mission Builders plans for the summer of 2026 currently include a major retreat center project at a camp in Oregon and assisting in the construction of tiny houses for unhoused individuals in Virginia.

Contact me with more information about serving as part of the team for:
☐ The Oregon retreat center project 
☐ The Virginia tiny homes project
☐ A project opportunity requiring less travel
☐ I am not available this summer but am interested in future opportunities
☐ I no longer able to serve in this ministry

Preferred service length:
☐ 1 week
☐ 2–4 weeks
☐ 1–2 months
☐ 3 months or more

There will also be opportunities to serve on Mission Builders 2X2 projects during the summer of 2026. 2x2 projects are short duration projects lasting 1-2 months that have been successful in connecting Mission Builders with the needs of our partners around the country.

Where would you be interested in participating in a 2x2 project?
☐ Within my state
☐ Within my region
☐ Anywhere in the continental U.S.
☐ US including Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories

Preferred service length:
☐ 3-day weekend
☐ 1 week
☐ 2–4 weeks
☐ 1–2 months

State of Residence:
☐ State: _____________________________

Region of Residence:

☐ Central (IL, IN, MI, OH)
☐ Mid-Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)
☐ Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
☐ Mountain (CO, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY)
☐ Northeast (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
☐ South (AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)
☐ West (CA, OR, WA)
☐ Pacific (AK, HI)
☐ U.S. Territories (PR, VI, etc.)
☐ Bahamas
☐ Outside U.S. & Bahamas

How likely are you to volunteer within the next 12 months?
☐ Very likely
☐ Likely
☐ Unsure
☐ Unlikely
☐ Very Unlikely

Section 3 — Vision and Discernment

From your personal experience with Mission Builders, what do you value most about your participation in this ministry?

Is there any aspect of the Mission Builders Ministry that would prevent you from participating in future projects?

How do you envision God working through Mission Builders over the next five to ten years?

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Mission Builders as a ministry of the ELCA focused on improving the physical infrastructure of our partners??

Section 4 — Demographics

Have you volunteered with Mission Builders before?
☐ Yes
☐ No
If yes, how many times? ______________________________

Age Range:
☐ Under 18 (with parent/guardian participation)
☐ 18–24
☐ 25–34
☐ 35–44
☐ 45–54
☐ 55–64
☐ 65–74
☐ 75+

Employment Status:
☐ Full-time
☐ Part-time
☐ Retired
☐ Semi-retired
☐ Student
☐ Other: ______________________

Gender:
☐ Female
☐ Male
☐ Non-Binary
☐ Prefer to self-describe: ______________________
☐ Prefer not to say

Section 5 (Optional) — Please provide your contact information if you would like to receive emails about Mission Builders opportunities 3-4 times a year 

Name:

Email:

Phone:

City/State:

Additional comments or questions: