Short Term Options

Mission Year now offers a weekend long excursion called PRoP (Pauper’s Rite of Passage).

What is PRoP?

PRoP offers a radical alternative to the typical “mission trip.” Rather than coming to the city to serve poor people, you will come to the city and live as one. For one weekend you will be stripped of your conveniences, and you will live the life of a pauper. Instead of handing out food to the hungry, you will walk among them seeking your own daily bread. The Bible says, “Do not worry about what you will eat or what you will drink. Isn’t your life worth more than food, and your body more than clothes?” Have you ever had an opportunity to live this out… not knowing where your next meal would come from, but trusting God would be your provider? Lucky for you, now’s your chance!

The Goal of PRoP

PRoP is designed to raise awareness about the issues poor and homeless people face on a daily basis. The end goal is to awaken compassion in the participants to join in God’s concern for “the poor” and to make the lifestyle decisions reflecting that concern.

Is PRoP for you?

PROP is for people ages 16 and older. Because Mission Year offers a year-long opportunity to serve Jesus among the poor in an urban setting for folks 18-29, PRoP will target this age group, but will accept people 16 to elderly.

PROP is for mature people willing to be stretched from their comfort zones. PRoP is ideal for folks desiring to learn more about God’s heart for people who are poor and are discerning a calling to serve among them. Unlike the traditional “mission trip,” participants will not be asked to “serve,” but rather to become learners, opened to embrace God’s heart for the poor.

Important Info. About PRoP

The price of PRoP

The cost for the weekend is $100 per person.
This will cover meals for Friday evening – Sunday morning
“Housing” will also be covered for Friday and Saturday evenings.

Requirements for PRoP Participants

15 people are required by the registration deadline for PRoP to run. Also, registration for PRoP is stopped at 30 people maximum. Several individuals and groups (not associated with each other) may be represented each weekend.
Groups, as well as individuals, are welcomed to register. There must be 1 adult (18 years and mature) for every three youth (16 – 17 years old).
Registration must be completed one month before PRoP by all participants.
Liability waivers must be signed and turned in by the registration date by all participants.
Each person should bring… a sleeping bag, clothing for the weekend and an open and good attitude.
Absolutely NO pagers, laptops or other technological toys (including cd players, iPods, music machines of any kind).

When is PRoP, and what are the registration deadlines and guidelines?

PRoP is now being offered in both Philly and Chicago!

PRoP begins on a Friday at 4pm sharp and goes until Sunday at 1pm. If you are flying in for the event, please arrive between 2-3pm if possible.

2009 Philly PRoP Dates:

May 22-24, 2009: Registration Deadline April 15, 2009
June 19-21, 2009: Registration Deadline May 19, 2009
August 14-16, 2009: Registration Deadline July 21, 2009

2009 Chicago PRoP Dates:

June 26-28, 2009: Registration Deadline May 26, 2009

If you have a group of 15 or more interested in PROP Chicago please contact Chris Lahr.

We encourage you to have your group sign up for one of the set dates. If you have a group of at least 15 people, and the dates do not work for you, contact Chris and we can see if accommodations can be made.

Each group/individual needs to fill out a registration form. The group’s leader may fill out the group registration for the entire group. Every participant of PRoP (even if coming with a group) will need to fill out their own liability form. If a participant is under the age of 18, they will also need to have their parent’s signature.

PRoP Liability Form (.pdf)