May 9, 2018 Is Short-Term Missions Just a Glorified Vacation?
You’ve probably heard someone say it before: “What are you really going to accomplish in a couple of weeks? It sounds more like a vacation to me.”
It can feel like a tough blow when people accuse short-term missions of being useless at best and even hurtful, at worst. But is it true that your time would be better spent doing something other than short-term missions?
I think not and here’s why.
There are several arguments I’ve heard against the effectiveness of short-term missions. Some common ones:
- It’s too short to do anything real or make any long-lasting impact
- Foreigners are seen as outsiders or just used for free handouts
- It would be better to simply send the money instead of using it to travel there
Parts of these arguments may have validity in some situations, but that’s why we’ve created an evangelism cycle that takes these possibilities into account.
Wherever we go to do mission work, we partner closely with local churches. This ensures that after our mission team leaves, new believers are integrated into an existing community where they can grow in their faith.
Once we’ve established a relationship, we arrange for local gospel workers to begin personal evangelism several months before our team arrives. They start searching out interests in the community by going door-to-door and giving Bible studies in people’s homes.
By the time our mission team arrives, the church members and gospel workers have interests who they can bring to the evangelism meetings and, many of whom, are well on their way to a decision for baptism.
Our foreign team provides an interesting draw for locals who often live in rural areas where they don’t interact with many foreigners. Plus, our team conducting evangelism, children’s outreach, clinics and construction brings reinforcement and encouragement to the local church.
I can’t tell you how inspired and revived local churches in the field become when a mission team partners with them, working together. Many churches experience a rekindling of excitement for evangelism because they feel supported that their brothers and sisters in Christ were willing to travel a far distance and donate time and energy in their community.
Even though our foreign team is only on the ground for a short time, because of the groundwork laid by our local partners, newly baptized believers and those still studying after the meetings are not left feeling alone.
With renewed energy inspired by the mission team, the local church is in great shape to follow up and integrate new members.
If you, as a mission team member, go into the field for a couple of weeks, your own life is likely to be changed! That in itself has a great impact in your sphere. But also, be assured that your part is only a piece of the larger, long-term evangelism cycle.
So, if someone asks you why you’re going on a short-term mission, remember this:
- You’re working in tandem with the local church, for whom, it’s not a “trip,” it’s their community
- Local partners will advise how you, as a foreigner, can best relate to their community for good
- The encouragement and inspiration shared by the mission team and the local church is incalculable
And the most important thing to remember is that, if you’re willing to be used by God, He will use you! No matter how others may think it could be done differently, God can work through you if you put yourself in His hands.
Emily Weber
QHM Marketing
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