Summer 2027 | Paris, France | May 15-26

Developing Global Christian
Leaders

The Global Leaders Initiative (GLI), a ministry of GlobalGrace, exists to develop the next generation of Christian leaders who understand God’s heart for the nations and are prepared to live, lead, and serve in an increasingly global world.

GLI is not simply another short-term mission trip. It is an intensive leadership and missions experience designed specifically for college students who are ready to be challenged spiritually, intellectually, culturally, and personally. GLI combines biblical and theological formation, intercultural learning, hands-on ministry, leadership development, and intentional mentoring. Our goal is not simply to give students an overseas experience, but to help shape leaders for a lifetime of faithful service.

Following the inaugural GLI program in Santiago, Chile, in 2026, GLI is expanding in 2027 with a new location, an enhanced leadership curriculum, and an opportunity for selected students to remain overseas for an additional 4–6 week missions internship.

PARIS 2027

May 15–26, 2027
Paris, France
Cost: $3,500

Paris provides an extraordinary setting for developing global Christian leaders. It is one of the world's great international cities—a crossroads of cultures, religions, migration, secularism, and global influence. Participants will not simply visit Paris; they will learn to see the city through the eyes of a missionary and global Christian leader.

FROM PARIS TO THE FIELD…

Optional 4–6 Week International Internship

For some students, Paris will be the beginning rather than the end.

Following the May 15–26 GLI experience, participants will have the opportunity to apply for an additional 4–6 week international missions internship.

Potential internship locations include:

Ireland | Spain | Morocco | Algeria

Interns will serve alongside experienced missions leaders from various organizations, gaining an inside perspective on the realities of cross-cultural missionary life.

This is not intended to be another short-term trip. Students will experience something closer to the rhythms of actually living on the field—learning from missionaries, participating in ministry, navigating another culture, developing relationships, and observing both the opportunities and challenges of long-term overseas service.

The objective is to help students move from asking:

“What is missions like?”

to asking:

“Could God be preparing me to live and serve overseas?”

The 2027 experience will be built around four foundational pillars:

  • THINKING BIBLICALLY

    Global leadership begins with a biblical worldview.

    Students will examine the biblical theology of mission and God's purposes for the nations, asking how Scripture should shape Christians' understanding of culture, leadership, calling, the Church, and the Great Commission.

    We want participants to leave Paris not merely knowing more about missions, but with a deeper theological conviction about God's global purposes and their place within them.

  • ENGAGING CROSS-CULTURALLY

    Effective global leaders must learn to understand people and cultures different from their own.

    Paris will become our classroom. Students will conduct ethnographic research, spend time on university campuses, interact with people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, and learn practical methods for observing and interpreting culture.

    Rather than approaching another culture simply as tourists, participants will learn to listen, ask good questions, observe carefully, and understand the beliefs, values, relationships, and worldviews that shape people's lives.

    Two days of the Paris experience will focus specifically on engagement with Muslims, giving students an opportunity to better understand Muslim communities and learn how Christians can build relationships and communicate the gospel faithfully and respectfully across religious and cultural boundaries.

  • LEADING MISSIONALLY

    GLI seeks to develop leaders who see leadership through the lens of God's mission.

    Participants will receive intentional leadership development and opportunities to practice leadership throughout the experience. Students will learn from experienced Christian leaders, participate in ministry teams, reflect on their experiences, and consider how biblical leadership applies both overseas and at home.

  • LIVING GLOBALLY

    You can study another culture in a classroom. It is different to live in one.

    For twelve days, participants will navigate life and ministry in one of the world's most influential multicultural cities. We will partner with two English-language churches in Paris, spend time with students on university campuses, engage in ministry and evangelism, conduct ethnographic research, and experience the realities of living and serving cross-culturally.

    Students will be challenged to consider a larger question:

    What would it look like if God called me to live my life among the nations?

DEVELOPING GLOBAL CHRISTIAN LEADERS IS THE MISSION.

The Global Leaders Initiative believes the next generation of global Christian leaders will require more than inspiration. They need biblical conviction, intercultural competence, meaningful ministry experience, experienced mentors, and opportunities to discover what life and ministry among the nations actually looks like.

Summer 2027 is an invitation to begin that journey.

Come prepared to learn.

Come prepared to serve.

Come prepared to have your assumptions challenged.

Come prepared to see the world differently.

PARIS MAY BE THE DESTINATION.

Think Biblically. Engage Cross-Culturally. Lead Missionally. Live Globally.

APPLY FOR GLI SUMMER 2027

Paris, France | May 15–26, 2027
Optional 4–6 Week Internship: Ireland, Spain, Morocco, or Algeria


Paris: $3,500 All Inclusive
Paris + Internship: $6,500–$7,000 Total

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Paris GLI Experience is $3,500.

    The Paris cost is all-inclusive, covering the expenses associated with participation in the May 15–26 program. There is no tuition or college-credit associated with GLI 2027.

    Paris + 4–6 Week International Internship is $6,500–$7,000 total

    Students participating in the extended internship should anticipate a combined cost of approximately $6,500–$7,000 for the Paris GLI experience and internship, depending on the internship location and length.

  • GLI Summer 2027 is open to college students age 18 and older who demonstrate spiritual maturity, leadership potential, a willingness to learn, and an interest in God's work among the nations.

    You do not need to know that God is calling you to become a missionary.

    In fact, part of GLI's purpose is to provide the environment, mentoring, experience, and theological foundation necessary to ask that question seriously.

  • The group of 10-12 university students, male and female, will be lead by GlobalGrace staff.

  • A valid passport is required.

  • Yes. All contributions made toward a student’s program fees are fully tax-deductible.

  • Both are covered by program fee.

    All participants are covered by international medical and evacuation insurance during the trip.