So you’re the one spearheading that next mission trip. Nervous?

You’ve heard about other mission trips – some that went well, others that … ok, were a bit of a disaster. So you’re wondering, what can you do to make this mission trip the best it can be?

I could give you a hundred ideas about how to prepare, but there’s something even more important. Instead of starting with detailed instructions, let me just share 4 things you need to believe if you want your team to be a success.

1. Believe that God can use this team

Can a short term team really have an impact for Christ in another culture? You bet. But you wouldn’t believe how many people don’t believe that. “I don’t know how much good our team will do, but I know God can use the experience in our lives.”

Sure, God can use this trip to change your hearts. But can’t God work in our lives closer to home (for less money!)? Plus, if we stay home, there’s less chance we’ll have a negative impact (it happens)!

Folks, God CAN use your mission team. You have unique talents, you can make a unique contribution. I’ve seen it happen over and over. You really can have an impact. If you don’t believe that, think twice before going.

2. Believe that training matters

Why do so many teams do so little training? Busy? Not enough resources? Don’t know where to start?

Or do people have the attitude that they should be able to just “share what Jesus means to them,” and that’s enough. God doesn’t just want the “professionals,” He can use anyone, right?

Of course He can use anyone! He takes our feeble, fumbling attempts and turns them into eternal gems. His Spirit gives us the words to say when we need them. But He also gave us a mind to think and learn, He gave us skills to develop, character to build.

You’re going into an unfamiliar culture. You don’t even know how these people think. You don’t know what struggles they’re facing. Those stories and verses and songs that mean a lot to you may not make sense to them.

Jesus prepared for His ministry. In turn, Jesus spent years preparing Paul (Gal 1:11). Paul then trained Timothy (he even gave him homework! (1Tim 4:13-16)). Take the time to prepare. Find out what’s meaningful to the people in this new culture. Learn a little of the language. Spend time in prayer. Learn to work together. Prepare for practical details. It can make a huge difference.

3. Believe that experience matters

This is similar to the last one, but more about where the training comes from. At least some of it needs to come from someone with experience in the new culture.

A veteran missionary from your culture (or a similar culture) not only knows a lot more about the other culture than you do, he/she also knows what you don’t know. They know the dumb mistakes they’ve made, and can help you avoid them.

They also know – and this is key – they know how you can help the most.

Some research was done years ago in a part of Mexico that received a large number of mission teams. It was discovered that many of the poor people in this area would wear a set of clothes only once, then throw them out! Why? Because mission teams, with sincere, loving hearts, brought so many clothes down that the Mexicans didn’t know what to do with them all! They had enough clothes to wear a different outfit every day.

If these mission teams had had some guidance from a local, they would have known that nobody needed more clothes. They might have learned a better way they could have contributed. But apparently, no one ever asked. Ask.

4. Believe that relationships matter

It’s really all about relationships. Your relationships matter. Your relationships with leadership, team leadership, church leadership, missionary leadership – that matters. Your relationship with the people – of course! They will see if you’re going through the motions and not really interested in them. For that matter, they’ll notice if your relationships with each other are out of sync!

But most important of all – do I need to say it? - are your relationships with God. Spend time in prayer. Get to know God in His Word – dig in it, struggle with it, wonder about it, learn to communicate it, live it.

Make sure people are behind you praying. Listen to what other people have to teach. Learn to love even when it hurts.

By now you can tell that I wouldn’t open the van door and shout,”Anyone who wants to do missions jump in – we’re leaving!” I believe that invading darkness with light is too important to take casually.

But you can – I hope you will – have a lot of fun! Prepare with love and joy and hope and have a great time in the power of the Lord. God is doing great things in the world, and you can be a part of it.

For more information on mission trips see:

• Who to work with on a Mexico Mission Trip
• Down on Vacation Bible School
• Learning from the Aussies

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 27th, 2007 at 1:09 pm and is filed under Short Term Missions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.