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Cross Exchange

WHY CROSS EXCHANGE?

Cross Exchange was created to bridge the gap between traditional work exchanges and missions trips.

White-washed buildings and windmills cascading down a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea in Oia, Santorini, Greece

Affordability: Travel on Any Budget

We believe exploring the world and making a meaningful impact shouldn't come with a hefty price tag. Designed for students, recent graduates, and budget-conscious travelers, Cross Exchange provides a unique opportunity to deepen your faith, serve others, and experience new places—all while keeping costs low. The only major expense is your travel, as housing and meals are generously covered by your host!

This affordability reflects Christian stewardship, encouraging the wise use of resources to focus on what truly matters: serving others, sharing the gospel, building lasting friendships, and creating meaningful memories. With Cross Exchange, you can embrace purposeful travel without a large financial sacrifice.

Comparison of Travel Costs

Here's how a typical trip with Cross Exchange compares to other common travel experiences. All figures assume a one-month stay for one person.

While all values are approximate, this table shows just how much further money can go with Cross Exchange, allowing you to immerse yourself in meaningful experiences with greater peace of mind. It's an affordable choice that prioritizes both purpose and practicality.

*It is important to note miscellaneous costs during a vacation are often much higher because nothing is included, and more free time leads to more spending.

Comparison of travel costs for a one-month stay
Expense CategoryCross ExchangeMission TripVacation
Program FeeCurrently free$2,000+N/A
AccommodationCovered by hostIncluded in fee$2,250(assuming $75/night)
MealsCovered by hostIncluded in fee$500(eating out/groceries)
Flights$500–$1,000$500–$1,000$500–$1,000
Misc. Costs$200(activities, apparel)$200(activities, apparel)$500*(activities, apparel)
Total Estimated Cost$800–$1,300$2,700+$3,750+
A smiling Western man in sunglasses gives a high-five to local children in front of a whitewashed brick wall in a South Asian village

Missional: Christian Faith in Action

By utilizing our worldwide network of Christian hosts, travelers can engage in missional service in a fresh new way. Whether assisting a local church, orphanage, widow's home, or anything in between, these experiences not only bless the communities being served but also deepen travelers' understanding of what it means to live out their faith in action—across borders, cultures, and contexts.

A Warm Welcome

to the christian work exchange platform

Our mission is to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities across the globe that foster cross-cultural understanding, spiritual growth, and social impact.

Who Benefits

The beauty of work exchanges is that a fair trade is made without needing to pay any money: the host welcomes the volunteer into their home and provides room and board (under most circumstances), and in exchange, the volunteer accomplishes an agreed-upon amount of service for the host family. With short-term missions, some missionaries have stated that the volunteer is the primary beneficiary of the trip, leading to the high price-tag that almost always accompanies those trips.

Cross Exchange seeks to be more like a traditional work exchange in this regard: the host and volunteer should both feel they are receiving a good deal without any money being exchanged.

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