Short Term Mission

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE
ARTICLES
OPPORTUNITY FINDERS
HOW-TO BOOKS
CONFERENCES
TRAINING
SECURITY ISSUES & ASSISTANCE
FUND RAISING
INSURANCE
PACKING
PASSPORTS
MISCELLANEOUS

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN SHORT TERM MISSION
In order to more effectively impact God's world, Sending Entities (churches, agencies and schools) have come together to identify nationally-derived ethical norms and practices for every type of short-term mission trip imaginable.

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ARTICLES

SHORT TERMERS AND THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN MISSIONS by Monroe Brewer
If put into practice, the proven strategy laid out in this article--by one of America’s jost prolific missions pastors—has the potentional of seeing many more churches successfully transition some of their short term missionaries into long term missionaries. You don’t want to miss this one!

TEN EMERGING TRENDS IN SHORT-TERM MISSIONS by Seth Barnes (Mission Frontiers, January 2000)
Note: See next article for more recent insights from Seth
What a difference a few years makes. In 1970 you could count on one hand the number of youth groups doing short-term missions. Now it has become a standard feature for thousands of youth groups across the country. Many youth leaders affirm that their summer missions projects have greater impact than any other single event they schedule. (Read more)

THE FUTURE OF SHORT-TERM MISSIONS by Seth Barnes (World Pulse, March 2006)
A number of years ago, I noticed certain trends emerging in short-term missions. Many are still in effect, but ten stand out. Each of these ten are undergirded by five factors that drive the pace and nature of the changes afoot in the market. (Read more )

SHORT-TERM RAMP-UP: THOUGHTS, TIPS, AND WARNINGS by Shane Bennett
Nothing in the mobilizer's tool box packs the punch of a well-designed, God-directed cross-cultural experience. Christians have learned through long experience how to resist the wiles of a good sermon and a sunset-climaxed slide show. But share a cup of tea with a Turk in a back street chai house in Istanbul and, it's all over but the visa application. (Read more)

LESSONS FROM THE SAPLING: REVIEW OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH ON SHORT-TERM MISSIONS by Kurt Alan Ver Beek
If you're sending out lots of short-term missionaries in hopes that this is a sure fire way to bless the members of your church with a sustained life change, get ready for a serious re-evaluation.

MOBILIZING WORKERS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: Weslyan World Missions takes steps to bridge the burning passion for mission and career service By Scott Olson with Joy Bray
As Director of Mobilization for Wesleyan World Missions, I am continually looking for effective ways to mobilize men and women for cross-cultural ministry. But our focus is not on big numbers. We want to send people who are willing to be trained and stretched for ultimate effectiveness. That means developing close connections with church-related colleges, local churches and districts, as well as individuals. (Read more)

MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF SHORT-TERM MISSIONS by Glenn Schwartz
A burgeoning interest in Christian missions has produced a new interest in short-term service. This has resulted in thousands of short-termers going out across the world, some under the direction of the Holy Spirit, some for their own benefit (as on a glorified vacation), but all, hopefully, for the benefit of those they seek to serve. (Read more)

MISSION TRIPS: WHAT ARE WE DOING? By David Mays
A question about short-term missions in a book review snapped me to attention. “Is this the first major missionary movement carried out primarily for the personal benefit of the missionaries?” (Read more)

THE "HARVEST CYCLE" AND SHORT TERM MISSIONS by David Rogers
Anyone who knows anything about farming knows that, in order to reap a harvest, there are various stages you must pass through first. It should not surprise us that, when both Jesus and Paul, on various occasions, compare Christian evangelism and discipleship to the agricultural process, many of the same principles hold true for both.

ARTICLES FROM SHORT TERM MISSIONS.COM

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OPPORTUNITY FINDERS

The following will help you to discover both short-term & career mission opportunities.

MSearch (Urbana.org opportunity database for students)
RightNow (opportunities and counsel for 20 & 30-somethings)
Mission Finder (comprehensive, all ages, short-term & career opportunities)
MMN Short-Term Missions Database (comprehensive, all ages, short-term opportunities)
shorttermmission.com (comprehensive, all ages, 1-week to 3-year opportunities)
AGRM'S Short-term Urban Missions Directory (Urban-based Short-Term Opportunities)

Non-North American Agency Listings

Oscar (database of both UK and no-UK-based opportunties for short-term and career missionaries)

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HOW-TO BOOKS

SENDING OUT SERVANTS
A handbook to help church leaders take a clear, hard look at short-term missions as a part of their church's total missions strategy. It will define the what and why, as well as the when, how and who of this particular subject. A brief philosophical outline is followed by pages of sample procedures and forms which you can use for your church.

MACK AND LEANN'S GUIDE TO SHORT TERM MISSIONS
Mack and Leeann Stiles are veteran leaders of more than a dozen two-month mission trips that have taken them around the globe. Their practical advice, hard-won lessons and hilarious stories will help you know what to expect as you get ready to see God in action in new ways.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE SHORT TERM MISSION TRIP by David Forward
This is a highly recommended and practical guide for short-term missionaries and their team leaders. Topics include: Getting Started; Money; Team Building; Travel Arrangements; Cultural Diversity; and much more. Sample checklists are included with a suggested reading list and a guide to short-term missions opportunities.

CROSS-CULTURAL SERVANTHOOD: SERVING THE WORLD IN CHRISTLIKE HUMILITY by Duane Elmer
Whether you're going on your first short-term mission trip or ministering overseas for extended periods, this useful guide is essential reading for anyone who wants to serve effectively in international settings with grace and sensitivity.

MAXIMUM SHORT TERM MISSIONS IMPACT by Roger Peterson
An exhaustive book featuring the 9-cell planning matrix "MISTM-Grid"(Maximum Impact Short-Term Mission), process trilogy, participant trilogy, solid Short Term Mission theology, and excellent tables and illustrations to capture the intensive, comprehensive overview of Christian short-term missions.

SUCCESSFUL MISSION TEAMS: A GUIDE FOR VOLUNTEERS by Martha VanCise
Paperback - 231 pages
The 23 chapters in this book contain a real treasure house of information that anyone planning or going on an overseas mission trip should begin to learn about as soon as possible. "Mission tours are not vacations," the author says. It is as important to consider one's spiritual preparation and cultural values relating to the trip as knowing what to pack into your suitcase. She covers all three—and many other related topics—in a very clear and forthright manner. There are mission tour scams as well as wonderful organizations with excellent track records. Horror stories about what can go wrong are included, and she has good tips on how to avoid jost pitfalls.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST by Christine Sine
Keeping Yourself Healthy in Travel and Service Overseas
When God calls us to work overseas, he doesn’t expect us to leave our common sense at home. Yet many do, expecting a greater degree of divine protection because we are doing “God’s Work." The author, a physician, has treated many illnesses and injuries that could have been prevented. Health problems are costly, stressful, use up valuable medical resources, and slow down the work. This book tells readers how to stay healthy as well as how to treat common illnesses.

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CONFERENCES

THE NEXT MILE CONFERENCES

FELLOWSHIP OF SHORT-TERM MISSION LEADERS

NATIONAL SHORT-TERM MISSION CONFERENCE

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TRAINING

TRIP STUFF by David Mays, ACMC
An indespensible CD collection of more than 200 documents developed or used by local churches for doing mission trips. Worth well beyond it’s price! To see the table of contents click here.

GO PREPARED (videos)
A six-session video training series for 3 hours of training. Sessions include: Laying the Foundation, Spiritual Preparation, Building Your Team,Cross-Cultural Training, Ministry Without Dependency and Re-Entry and Debriefing. In addition to this set there are now six other separate Contact TCCI at: 407-857-8224
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

HOW TO DO SHORT-TERM MISSIONS WITHOUT DOING LONG-TERM HARM (Online Course)
The ultimate goal of this course is that the benefits of short-term missions are maximized and any harm is minimized. The course is designed for: 1) sending churches and denominations, 2) host churches and missionaries, 3) missions project leaders, and 4) missions team members. The training is applicable to missions trips to locations in the U.S./Canada as well as throughout the world.

THE NEXT MILE LEADER GUIDE
Designed for Short-Term Team leaders, this comprehensive tool enables leaders to plan and conduct Short-Term Mission trips for long-term impact. Multiple contributors who are recognized leaders in missions have provided articles that offer Biblical and practical insight to Team Leaders.

ALDERGROVE VINEYARD COMMUNITY CHURCH SHORT-TERM TRAINING MANUAL
An all-in-one 54-page manual for doing short term missions in a local church, including forms. A great model for other churches to consider.

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SECURITY ISSUES & ASSISTANCE

SHORT-TERM TEAM SAFETY PREPARATION by Steve Vereb
What if a crisis occurs for one of your short-term teams? If you are a church that sends teams, do you have a emergency management plan in place? Do you train team leaders and team members to know what to do in crisis situations? If you are an agency or missionary that receives teams, do you work with those teams' sending churches to make sure everyone is well prepared? This article outlines areas where advance planning can prevent or minimize the impact of a variety of serious crises situations.

VEREB, HITT & ASSOCIATES LLC
Church Safety and Short Term Missions Risk Mitigation Consultants

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FUND RAISING

SAMPLE FUND RAISING LETTERS from Howard Culbertson’s Web Site

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INSURANCE

ADAMS & ASSOCIATES

eGLOBALHEALTH.COM

eINTERNATIONALHEALTH.COM

GOMISSIONTRIP.COM (provides rate comparisons)

INSURANCE FOR MISSIONS by Mission Finder

MISSIONARYHEALTH.NET

SERVING ABROAD

SQUAREMOUTH.COM (provides rate comparisons)

Disclaimer: The above listing of insurance carriers has been gathered from various sources and recommendations. Go Connect does not in any way guarantee satisfaction with their services and we do not make any profit from referrals to these agencies.