For the amount of money it costs to send a young person on a short term “missions” trip – I would like to see a longer commitment than 2 weeks or even 3 months – I think six months to a year would make that travel money work a lot harder.

It has always appeared self-indulgent to me when there are so many needs at home that the youth have *most likely* not involved themselves in,
and personally, I would like to see someone with skills, medical, construction, engineering, teaching or other take the opportunity to go.
Come to the table with something to offer . . .

We have young friends who care for orphaned and aids ridden children, but do so long term – so much need, so few arms to hold these others.

Love to see accepted “Christian” practices examined. The old time missionaries lived among those they hoped to help – they didn’t pop in and pop out.

Report comment to moderator

It was a learning experience, to say the least.

On the other hand, I think most youth go into it with the wrong attitude and walk away patting themselves on the back for a job halfway done. Oftentimes, attitude is everything, and if you go into it thinking it’s going to be a vacation, then you’re not going to be a productive member of the group, and whatever money spent on getting you there was wasted.

I agree with several of the posters who said that there should be a stricter selection process when it comes to youth and short term missions outside of the country.

Growing up in inner city St. Louis, I didn’t have to look far to find poverty. More often than not, we don’t even have to leave our state to find people in need, let alone our country.

Of course, I have also seen a great deal of benefit from short term missions, both spiritual and material.

Perhaps the point is that God can use anything to achieve His purposes. We should be asking ourselves what the best and most productive way to spend our resources is, but a short term mission is often better than no mission at all. That’s not a blanket statement, but the parable of the talents comes to mind.

Report comment to moderator

sorry for the ommission.

Report comment to moderator

There are factors that affect the answer…

What is the purpose of missions trip? If it is of an evangelistic nature, then local pastors are certainly more accepted and effective for economic and cultural reasons and teens have very little, long-term effect in this area.

If the purpose is of a charitable nature, then it would be in the best interest of the charitable organization to use locals when possible, in order to stretch the budget and boost local economy. Where there are no locals available (such as medical or technical) then send any who are qualified.

Overall, it is very difficult to say as to whether or not they are “worth it” or a “waste of money”. That is relative… it depends on who is being asked. Who actually benefits from the trip? The teen or their parents? The poor people they leave behind as they head to their XBox and Wii?

I have to agree with Kurt. I cannot help but feel that the impoverished indigenous peoples would choose to have the money donated directly to the organization that would spend it on improving their life.

I am biased and experienced in this area(depending on your opinion!), as the Secretary and Treasurer of a small, 14 month old, non-profit organization that uses 100% indigenous pastors to preach the gospel in the tribal areas of the Philippines. We build and operate schools for the poor children (where there are no schools at all) and charge nothing for tuition. We buy land and build a school for about $2000! That is about one plane ticket and 1 week hotel for a teen missionary…

I humbly offer this opinion as someone who has seen first-hand how many more people can be fed, clothed, educated, medically treated, and most importantly, brought to the knowledge and salvation of Christ with only a few dollars. How many more can this help for a few thousand?

… blessed are those who believe and have not seen.

Report comment to moderator

So I think we know how to make experiences like this result in lasting changes (just like if we set a goal to exercise, we are much more likely to be successful if we have friends running with us each morning) –but it seems like we thought it would happen in STMs without the effort. I think we need to have STM participants set goals (like buying less CDs and giving the money to the organization they visited….) before and during the trip and then set up accountability and encouragement to make sure they follow thru on those goals.

Report comment to moderator

As several people mentioned above, no matter what the context, the best missionaries are those who come with the attitude of a learner.

As was also mentioned, many long-termers were once short-termers. After my short-term experience in what was then Czechoslovakia while I was still a university student, I was already praying for God to bring me back to Central Europe. He brought me back, and I’ve been here ever since. But even if a short-termer doesn’t return to the mission field, the exposure will provide unique perspective and will be invaluable as he/she ministers back home.

Kyle: What year were you in the CR?

Report comment to moderator

Report comment to moderator

It’s more work than just sending money…but maybe that’s part of the point – to get US involved, too.

Rom 10:15a – “And how shall they preach unless they are sent?”

Report comment to moderator

Report comment to moderator

Report comment to moderator