Missions Trip

I returned from my most recent missions’ trip to the continent of Africa at the beginning of April. On this twelve day trip, I was able to visit three different countries and preach numerous times. While this wasn’t my first trip to this great continent, it was one that profoundly impacted me. Allow me to share some things I observed, as well as some things God showed me.

Having served as a church planting missionary in London, England for over five years, I had some groups that were a tremendous blessing. I also had others who were a tremendous burden and left my family and the ministry that the Lord gave us suffering when they left. Let me quickly say, a missions trip can be a great blessing to the church planter or it can be a great burden. Below are a few thoughts about short term missions trips that will come from the perspective of a pastor and a church planter:

Make sure the schedule is planned out well in advance of your arrival so everyone is on the same page. This will help the missionary plan and prepare, and hopefully, there will be fewer surprises.

There is a broad spectrum of responses when one hears the phrase short-term missions. “Why even bother?” “It’s a total waste of money that could be better spent somewhere else.” “It opens the eyes of the world to the needs around them.” “It will forever change your life.” “No short-termers ever become long-termers, so why waste the time and effort?”

As you prepare all of the logistics of the trip, it is equally important that you prepare your team too.

The key to a well-organized missions trip is communication. Many aspects of the trip logistics need to be coordinated with the missionaries in the country you are visiting.

This is where the rubber meets the road. You must formulate a budget to cover the expenses of your trip while keeping it within the reach of your people.

I went on my first mission trip the summer after I graduated from high school. Before that trip, I really had no idea what biblical missions was all about.