How Mapbox and Rock Came Together for Global Missions
In a recent project with Launch Point Missions, a ministry of ABWE, we had the opportunity to not only build a fully interactive missions map using Mapbox and Rock, but also to design and develop an entirely new custom Rock-powered website to replace their previous non-Rock site.
The goal was to create a more modern, engaging platform that better reflected their heart for global missions while giving their team the tools they needed to manage content and trips directly inside Rock.
The result is a site that combines thoughtful design with real-time data and interactive features, giving visitors an intuitive way to explore short-term mission trips happening all over the world. The map-based experience is central to this, allowing everyone to browse by region, click into a country, and immediately see detailed trip info, all pulled dynamically from Rock.
Key Features
At the center of it all is Mapbox. As visitors move around the animated and interactive map, trip data updates instantly. Click on a country, and a sidebar appears with mission trip details pulled directly from Rock. There's no need for manual updates or duplicated content. The system takes care of that automatically.
To make this work, we built a custom Persisted Data Set that pulls Rock group data and structures it as JSON for Mapbox to consume. It’s clean, efficient, and easy for ABWE's team to manage as they create and update trips within Rock.
Built to Inspire Engagement
This was our first time connecting Mapbox with Rock in this way, and it turned out to be a really effective pairing. ABWE wanted something that not only worked well but also invited people in.
As a ministry of ABWE, Launch Point exists to create meaningful pathways into global missions. By leveraging nearly a century of ministry experience across 84 countries, they provide short-term trips that are deeply connected to long-term mission goals. Their approach ensures that each trip contributes to lasting ministry impact, both for those being served and for those who go.
This new digital experience reflects that heart. It’s not just a map or a trip finder—it’s a tool designed to help people take a first step toward global missions, grounded in decades of partnerships, purpose, and Gospel-centered outreach.
You can check out the new interactive map on Launch Point Missions’ website