Real Stories of Rescue: How Faith Ventures Works for Mission Travelers

by Logan Kruse and Tyler Ward
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, Faith Ventures

When ministries send teams across the globe, they do so with a heart for service and a mission to share hope. But with every trip comes a level of risk—medical emergencies, travel disruptions, and unforeseen crises that can turn a meaningful journey into a logistical nightmare. We’ve both seen firsthand the challenges faced in the mission field and now we get to help organizations and individual travelers have peace of mind and practical support when it’s needed most.

Faith Ventures was created with one goal: to serve the Church and its mission travelers. Unlike standard travel insurance, it’s designed specifically for faith-based tours, conferences, and mission trips. The coverage is simple to purchase, requiring only a traveler’s first and last name, and the cost is the same for everyone—regardless of age, health, or destination. This makes budgeting easy for churches and trip leaders juggling countless details. Plans begin as low as $30.*

But the real impact of Faith Ventures is seen in the stories.

Relieving Burdens: One traveler was preparing for a bucket-list tour of Israel when, just days before departure, she suffered a detached retina and required emergency surgery. Unable to travel, she faced the possibility of losing thousands of dollars. Fortunately, her group had purchased trip cancellation coverage through Faith Ventures. Because her situation qualified as a covered expense, she was reimbursed for the full cost of the trip. In a moment of disappointment and physical hardship, she didn’t have to bear the financial burden alone.

Accessing Medical Care: Another story comes from a remote part of Africa, where a mission team member was seriously injured in an accident, breaking both legs. The local medical facilities couldn’t provide the care he needed, and he had to be evacuated by helicopter to a better-equipped hospital. The cost of that evacuation? $65,000. Thanks to Faith Ventures, he didn’t pay a dime out of pocket. His church, responsible for his care, was also relieved to know that the insurance had covered everything.

These aren’t just isolated incidents. Faith Ventures covers four core areas that are critical for mission travel:

1. Medical Evacuation – Transporting a traveler to the nearest facility that can properly treat them.

2. Medical and Illness Expenses – Filling the gap when U.S. health insurance doesn’t apply overseas.

3. Security Evacuation – Providing support when governments issue evacuation orders.

4. Repatriation of Remains – Covering the costs of returning a traveler’s body home in the event of death.

Additional benefits include coverage for missed connections, baggage loss, and delays—smaller issues, but still important when traveling abroad.

Global Security
The Faith Ventures team at Brotherhood Mutual also monitors global trends, including security concerns in high-risk areas. While travel to countries under Level 4 advisories may exclude certain coverages, the team offers guidance and alternative solutions, such as kidnap and ransom policies, to help ministries navigate complex situations.

Each year, 70,000 travelers are covered through the Faith Ventures program. That’s 70,000 people answering a call to serve, often in places where help isn’t easily accessible. Behind every policy is a team dedicated to supporting ministries so they can focus on discipleship and mission—not logistics and liability.

Wrapping Up
If your ministry is planning a trip, don’t go it alone. We work closely with the Lightwell Insurance Advisors team. They are here to answer questions, walk through coverage options, and get your team set up with the right plan. Whether it’s your first trip or your 50th, having the right coverage in place makes all the difference.

Watch the full interview here, or listen to The Lightwell Podcast on your favorite streaming service.

New to Lightwell Insurance Advisors? Navigate to “Agent Locations,” select your state, and click “Contact Us.” Our team would be happy to talk with you.

*Faith Ventures is a collaboration between Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company and Fly for Good (also known as AF Travel). See plans for pricing and coverage options.

About the Authors: Tyler Ward and Logan Kruse are passionate advocates for mission work and the people who make it happen. With decades of combined experience in ministry and global mission support, they bring both personal insight and professional expertise to the conversation around faith-based travel. Tyler served as a local church pastor for 20 years before joining Brotherhood Mutual, where he now serves as sales manager for Brotherhood Works. His firsthand experience leading mission trips—and witnessing the impact of travel insurance when emergencies arise—fuels his commitment to helping ministries prepare wisely and serve boldly. As part of Brotherhood Mutual’s Global Mission Protection team, Logan works closely with churches and mission-sending organizations to ensure their teams are protected and empowered. His deep understanding of the risks and logistics of international mission travel, combined with his heart for Kingdom work, makes Logan a trusted guide for ministries navigating the complexities of sending people abroad.

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