Short Term FAQ’s
Tips to running a successful short-term trip!

The increase popularity in short-term missions over the past ten years has been exciting to watch – more people today understand God’s heart for the nations then ever before! Unfortunately, many have ventured into short-term missions solely because of its increased popularity; it has become the trendy thing to do! Unprepared, ill-equipped teams can do more harm to the advance of the Gospel then what little assistance they end up providing.

Here are some of the most issues facing anyone who is planning a short-term trip. Avoiding these pitfalls can mean the difference between true success and long term failure. These have been tried and tested throughout our countless short-term trips, and have proven to work!

1. Educate yourself – I know this may seem obvious, but it is essential that you take the time and educate yourself about three things; short-term missions, leadership development, and the location you are praying about serving in. The more you know, the easier it is to clearly communicate with organizational leadership, missionaries on a particular field, parents (for youth trips), and participants.
2. Team Selection – Selecting the right people for your team is critical to a successful trip. Most have used some sort of “application” process to screen potential candidates, followed up by an interview to explore the applicant’s spiritual life further. References are sometimes requested. Those desiring to go on a Missions Trip need to know that this is a serious undertaking, and that you have high expectations for them. You don’t need applicants to be perfect, but be prepared and ready to be challenged and pushed beyond their comfort zone. Nothing will set back a team more then getting on field and finding out that a participant is living a life of habitual, unrepentant sin, with zero desire to change. It not only damages the group dynamics, but also can potentially destroy any ministry you had hoped to accomplish. We always suggest being overly cautious, and allow God to guide the selection process. If that means that NO ONE is qualified to go on a trip, you simply don’t go!
3. Leadership Development – Many leading short term missions trips miss out on a real key opportunity to develop the leadership ability of the team participants. What is the purpose of your trip? Are you going to change the world during your two weeks on the field? Most likely no (but we do know that God can and will do some awesome things, and can change the hearts of people in a moment). The second greatest outcome from any short term missions trip, next to those who receive Christ, is the growth, and change that happens in the lives of team members. Most come home from a two-week (or longer) mission and will comment on how they expected to change others lives, and yet they were impacted much more than they ever anticipated. Prepare your team for this by providing leadership training and development before you even go. Much of this comes from your mentality – you are going on this trip to change YOUR world as much as changing others.

4. Pre-Trip Preparation – Training, training, training! Most career missionaries on the field in foreign countries are hesitant to accept short-term teams. Why? Because many have had very bad experiences with short-term teams coming unprepared in every aspect of the ministry; physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. With out proper training, participants will be allowed to create in their own minds what is expected of them, the nature of their ministry, and the people and culture they plan to encounter. When in the field, this will always lead to frustration, as you end up with competing agendas, and disappointed people. It is best to have at least three training session or about 2 hours each. What do you cover during your training times? Much of this depends on the group, their experience, and the field you will be going on. Some suggested topics are “Leading others to Christ”, “Understanding Missions and the Great Commission”, “Evaluating and Understanding Culture”, and “Leadership Basics”.

5. Selecting the on field Projects – Much of the actual on-sight ministry will (or should) be dictated by your team. Ask the question, “what do they need to move to the next level in their walk with God?” Your actual ministry will largely be directed by the answer to that question. Understand that “work projects” (building houses, digging ditches, manual labor) though physically tiring may not provide the challenge your team needs. Some teams get caught up in the need to have tangible results – a building we can show the congregation, etc. – that they may miss the greater needs of the team. One important element we always try to incorporate is interaction with people. Even if we primarily participate in construction, we still try and interact with the people as much as possible. Struggling through a language barrier can teach you a lot of yourself. Many are overwhelmed by how “people oriented” most other countries are. Always look for ways to challenge. As the team leader, try and look for ways that you will be challenge too! It communicates a lot to a team that you are learning too.

6. Understand and define (or redefine) success – How would you define a successful short-term missions trip? Are you willing to define success outside “tangible” results? Some of our most successful trips have had the least “tangible” results (try and figure that one out!).

7. Vision cast with organizational leadership – Make sure that you spend the appropriate amount of timing vision casting with those who “oversee” your ministry. Communicate what you are doing, and why you are doing it. Nothing can dampen a successful trip more than a supervisor sharing his displeasure over unfulfilled expectations.

8. On-field flexibility – Key to survival on any trip – expect changes. Be prepared that much of what you dreamed and planned may not happen. How others operate outside the U.S. is radically different than how we do. The ability to change plans, and adjust your expectations is key. Learning from this first hand experience, we will often bring back-up equipment for a “plan b”, or additional materials than requested.

9. Try to understand the culture – There are often really three cultures involved here; the culture of the country you plan to visit, the culture of those who are participating (if there is an age or geographic difference between you and the participants), and your culture. Learning to identify and evaluate culture is not only essential in working overseas but is becoming more and more important in our own pluralistic post-modern culture.

10. Communication from field = Prayer! Establishing a communication portal between the participants on the field and home is great way to ensure appropriate prayer support. Establishing a web-site updated daily with pictures, journals, participant bios, and prayer requests can be a very useful tool while on the field. For youth trips, this is really a must! Parents can see, hear, and “participate” with their kids. We also include short video clips on our web-site to help parents feel like they “are there”.

11. Debrief - Debrief is an important tool to help participants know how to process all of their experiences – all of the images, feelings, struggles, frustrations, and joys. We have traditionally sought to do debrief at the end of every ministry day. It seems to help all to process their experiences that day. A debrief can be as simple as people sharing what they did that day. It allows you as a leader to help them know how to respond to their experiences, and how to be prepared for ministry the next day.

12. Post trip meeting for supporters – If you enlisted supporters for prayer and financial support; make certain that you have an opportunity for the trip participants to share their experiences. Invite anyone interested to come and hear about the trip. Have team members share their experiences. Cooking an authentic meal from the country that you just visited are great “thank you” to supporters. Make certain that each financial supporter receives a “thank you” note or card from the person they supported. This ensures