We encourage you to read our Cross Exchange Statement of Faith.
FAQS
A work exchange is a travel arrangement where individuals offer their abilities and time in return for accommodation. Travelers connect with hosts who are looking for specific types of assistance, such as gardening, teaching, cooking, childcare, or maintenance. In exchange for serving an agreed-upon number of hours or completing specific tasks, the traveler receives a place to stay, usually meals or groceries, and sometimes additional perks like transportation, language practice, or local experiences. Work exchanges provide a unique opportunity to experience new cultures, travel affordably, develop skills, and build friendships around the world!
Cross Exchange is designed to benefit an underserved segment of the travel industry – Christian hosts and travelers. We hope to expand the work exchange market to allow more people to participate, without taking away from opportunities the other work exchange platforms provide.
Hosts are required to sign our Statement of Faith. Travelers do not sign a statement of faith, but should either be Christians or open to learning more about Christianity. Travelers opposed to Christianity will not find this a suitable service.
Eventually, Cross Exchange intends to charge travelers a subscription fee for the ability to contact hosts. This ensures that no money trades hands between the traveler and the host.
If you're concerned about traveling alone, we encourage you to travel with a friend. Hundreds of thousands of people – the majority of whom are solo travelers - have completed international work exchanges. Your level of maturity, familiarity with the area/language, and your level of risk tolerance are all important to consider beforehand. Please read our Safety page for more tips on how to have a positive work exchange experience.
Neither hosts nor travelers are employed by us; all hosts have signed up at their own volition and gain no monetary benefit from Cross Exchange International Ministries, Inc.
Travelers must be at least 18 years old and hosts must be at least 28 years old. 17 year old travelers are allowed to sign up and contact hosts, but are not permitted to participate in a work exchange until their 18th birthday. There is no maximum age for travelers or hosts!
This is a big question with many different aspects to consider. See our page Why Cross Exchange for more information on this question. In short, we believe Cross Exchange is a better option for travelers who prefer flexibility and customization, are interested in serving the global church, and are looking for an adventure. Additionally, Cross Exchange travelers' money goes far further, because their hosts find their services valuable and cover the cost of living for them. That being said, we recognize the value of traditional mission trips and encourage people to do what makes sense for them.
We strive to operate in a space between the work exchange market and the global missions industry. Our goal is to bridge these two worlds to create new opportunities for travelers and hosts alike. While we hope to foster relationships between missionaries and travelers, we are not a traditional Christian missions organization.
Some hosts may offer payment for all or some of their work (i.e., extra labor beyond the agreed-upon work exchange). However, Cross Exchange strongly discourages work exchanges from involving monetary payment for two reasons: 1) It turns the work exchange into a business transaction, which can lead to frustrations on both sides, and 2) It can create legal issues, as many countries require a special visa to be employed there.
In a typical work exchange, the traveler pays for their transportation to the host's home, and the host provides lodging and meals. Travelers typically pay for their own purchases beyond this (ex.: if the traveler decides to purchase snacks from the store on their own, he/she should NOT expect this to be included). However, each work exchange is slightly different, and it's the traveler's responsibility to find out what is provided by the host.
NOTE: Hosts are NOT allowed to ask for payment. If a host asks for payment, please contact our team immediately.
Cross Exchange offers a unique faith-focused experience compared to traditional work exchanges. It encourages open discussions about faith, includes hosts who are missionaries or church-affiliated, and requires all hosts to affirm a shared Statement of Faith. Travelers often live and work with believers and are encouraged to participate in local church activities, with access to online services if language barriers arise. This fosters a sense of community and connection to the global Christian body.
First, create a profile HERE. Profile verification is required for all users before communicating on our platform. For a step-by-step guide, hosts should visit our Host page and travelers should visit our Traveler page.
Note to travelers: Once approved, you may begin contacting hosts. To improve your chances of a positive response, start with a friendly greeting, personalize your message to show why you're a good fit, and try to keep it concise. Avoid repeating profile information, as hosts can review your profile directly. Clearly state your dates of availability and the amount of flexibility in your travel plans. We encourage travelers to find a respectful way to stand out with your message, such as mentioning something you have in common with the host and/or something about their profile that interests you.
There is no enforced minimum or maximum length of stay; it is up to the host and traveler to agree upon a duration. Usually, work exchanges last one week to six months. Travelers must consider visa restrictions when deciding how long to stay for a work exchange (check the host country's visa/travel website).
Positive and/or constructive feedback for hosts can be submitted on their profile. Please report issues and concerns to help@crossexchange.org. If you or those around you face an immediate threat while on a work exchange, contact the applicable authorities in your region.
A huge factor in determining your experience is your personal attitude, as well as packing appropriately, doing research on your destination ahead of time, having realistic expectations, and making friends on your journey.
While we can't guarantee a positive experience, please contact us at help@crossexchange.org if you need assistance or to report a concern. You may also be interested in reading our Safety page and Terms of Service.
We're glad you want to support our mission! For most people, the best way to promote Cross Exchange is to tell your friends and family about this platform. If you have a skillset that you think could be helpful to our team (app design, web design, marketing, legal, videography, etc.), we'd love to hear from you! Please contact us at help@crossexchange.org with "Here to Help: …" in the subject line. We are also building partnerships with churches and other ministries, so if you have connections with a ministry that might be interested in partnering with us, please let us know.
A joint account is a traveler profile created for two or three people who are interested in traveling and volunteering together. Cross Exchange supports these accounts, allowing travelers to make arrangements with their spouse or close friends more easily.
As outlined in the Statement of Faith signed by all Cross Exchange hosts, it is required that travelers stay in an environment consistent with Christian values. Provided this standard is upheld, along with meeting all other host requirements, hosting is welcomed and encouraged.
For travelers, Cross Exchange is designed for adventurers seeking new experiences, who are teachable, eager to explore different ways of living & working, and deepen their understanding of Christian faith – or live it out. Ideal travelers are resilient, adaptable, enjoy connecting with others, and appreciate new cultures, foods, & environments.
For hosts, Cross Exchange is designed for Christians who are comfortable welcoming guests into their home, are open to sharing their faith, and have tasks in their home, church, or community they would appreciate help with. Hosts should have space in their homes (or similar accommodations) to house travelers and provide meals or groceries without significant financial strain. They should be patient, resourceful, good communicators, and enjoy guiding travelers through their service responsibilities.
We are focused on connecting the global body of Christ rather than being affiliated with a particular denomination. We affirm the Cross Exchange Statement of Faith.
Cross Exchange is designed primarily for short-term Christian work exchange experiences, typically under 3 months per individual work exchange. If you're seeking a longer-term arrangement (6–12 months)—whether as a host or as an Au Pair—we highly recommend checking out our partner organization, the Christian Au Pair Network. They specialize in connecting Christian families and young adults for faith-based, long-term Au Pair placements around the world. It's a great complement to what we offer here at Cross Exchange, and many of our users benefit from using both platforms depending on their needs.
You can explore their opportunities here: https://www.christianaupair.net/