When combined with its twin city (Saint Paul) right next door, it has a population of approximately 3.6 million people.  Additionally, it has a theater system second only to New York, has a city park system that comprises almost 17% of the city, essentially having 770 square feet of park per resident of the city. Minneapolis is also one of the most walkable cities, ranked 9 out of the 50 major metropolitan areas.  Finally, Minneapolis is one of the most educated cities, has some of lowest rates of unemployment and is one of the most philanthropic cities in the United States with over 40% of the residents actually giving time to volunteer in charitable work.

In other words, Minneapolis is more than what initially meets the eye.  This is true of the needs in the city as well.  While the city does have some of the best social services, it also has a lot of need.  According to the United Way, in the Twin Cities, 680,000 people are living in or at the edge of poverty and 32 percent of those are children.  Additionally, there are over 10,000 homeless people in the Twin Cities and at least 2500 unaccompanied youth on the streets each night.

Another aspect of Minneapolis that few people know is the diversity that exists in the city.  In the last three decades, it is estimated that 95,000 refugees from over 90 countries have been resettled in the Twin Cities area.  In fact, the Twin Cities has the largest Hmong and Somali communities of any other city in the United States.

These lesser known realities of the Twin Cities provide many incredible opportunities for us to partner with ministries and churches in the area who are daily serving the needs of both the international community and those experiencing homelessness and poverty.  We would love for you to come and partner with us in the Twin Cities as we both serve alongside of our incredible partner ministries, as well as learn from them more about what it means to live out the Gospel in our own communities.

We invite you to bring your group to come and serve alongside of us on an urban Minneapolis short term mission trip.

7:30 – 8:45 – Breakfast/Devotionals:

We provide breakfast for your team and give you the opportunity to either do devotionals as a group or for your students to do devotionals individually.

9:00 – 12:00 – Downtown Homeless Ministry:

Serve alongside one of our ministry partners that reaches the un-sheltered homeless all throughout the city of Minneapolis.  This often involves visiting with people on the streets experiencing homelessness and praying for them and their needs.

12:15 – 12:45 – Lunch at Kaleo Housing Location

12:45 – 1:45 – Bible Club preparation time

2:00 – 5:00 – Bible Club with a partner church in North Minneapolis.

Your group would have the opportunity to lead all aspects of the club including arts/crafts, Bible time, games, and a literacy/reading time.

6:00 – 6:30 – Dinner at Kaleo Housing Site

6:30 – 7:15 – Evening Debrief


*Please note this is a sample schedule and does not reflect specific times and ministry activities for your team.

Cost:  $315 for a five night trip or $365 for a six night trip includes all of your housing, food and ministry expenses.  The only additional cost to your group is the cost of transportation.

Housing:  Our Kaleo teams stay at a partner church close by many of the ministries we serve with.  Sleeping areas for boys and girls are separated and their are showers and meeting areas onsite.  We will be sleeping on church floor, but Kaleo will provide air mattresses.  Teams will need to provide their own bedding.  Showers are provided at a nearby facility.

Parking:  Parking is free and is available in the church parking lot.

Transportation:  You will need to have vehicles to transport each individual team and a space available in your van for one Kaleo staff member for each team.

Food:  Our goal is to provide good and healthy food options for your team. Additionally, as part of our food service.   We provide fruit at all meals and have salad options during lunch and dinner.  If members of your team have food allergies, please let our City Director know.  We can make basic accommodations such as gluten free bread and lactose free milk and you are free to bring additional food if necessary.

Chris McArdle, Kaleo Minneapolis City Director

Contact UsRegister My Group

We are excited about the opportunity to partner with your group to serve our ministry partners and the people of Minneapolis.  If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us, of if you are ready to register your team, click on the “register” button above.