Intentions in Short Term Mission Trips

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Wow- it's been way too long since i've blogged... 

I've been involved in short term mission work and local church ministry for about ten years now, dating back to when I was finishing high school. It's safe to say that my worldview has really expanded during this time. As I work with teams, prepare groups to serve, and lead trips on the ground, I have the opportunity to serve alongside many different church leaders. One of my favorite things to do, and in my opinion one of the most important aspects of my job in serving with PPM, is to dig into and analyze the intentions of the team. Early on in the preparation process I'm asking a lot of questions of the group leader...
  • Why are you taking this short term mission trip?
  • What are you hoping to accomplish, on a spiritual level?
  • What does success look like for you and your team? How do you feel you'll measure that?
  • What is your philosophy of missions and model of missions within your church?
It's always interesting to extract the desire and purpose of leaders and teams. Intentions range widely. Some teams come serve because it's tradition- they just do it every year, and not much thought goes into it beyond that. Some leaders and teams vaguely 'want to serve'. Others desire to expose their team members to an experience that will stretch them spiritually. Many hope to impact a local community through their efforts while also drawing closer to God. Some hope to establish an opportunity for a partnership in missions. There's no right or wrong. Actually, there is, in my opinon. I'm just still trying to figure it out, even though I've been doing it for 10 years or so. It's funny how much more you realize you don't know when you grow older. What i'm confident in, however, is that I have learned so much about the results of our intentions.

Our intentions have great ramifications, especially when it comes to something as important as a short term mission trip. Thousands of dollars are spent and hundreds of hours are given in order for teams to embarq on such an effort. The reason we serve through short term mission trips is extremely important. So, a 'wrong' answer to our intentions of serving is an intention based on selfishness, tradition, or apathy. A 'right' answer is one based on the Bible, discipleship, selflessness, learning & discovery, and Christian unity. It's wonderful to hear a pastor who is bringing a team to Jamaica with our organization talk about their intentions and desires to genuinely meet the needs of the local churches, schools, and communities where we serve. When leaders leave egos and selfishness at home and come to be a blessing, it's a beautiful thing. Intentions are right when...
  • Leaders focus on 'them' more than 'us'
  • Teams are flexible instead of fussy
  • Participants are more concerned with their ministry than with their luxury
  • Leaders are passionate instead of apathetic
  • Relationships are valued over accomplishments
  • Authenticity is apparent, not insincerity
I have the honor of serving with some leaders who have Godly intentions. Intentions that help shape our ministry and are monumental in making a difference in both Jamaica and in the lives of those who participate in our short term trips. My challenge is for each individual- leader, student, adult, staff, pastor, anyone- to analyze intentions. Intentions in short term mission trips are extremely imporant. Are yours intentions healthy?

Below: Our Jamaican staff 2014. About 20 of the most genuine, selfless, well intentioned people I know.

Below: Andy Eldemire, myself, Carol Cunningham, Al Dicks, and Isau Bailey.

Below: Rev. Reinaldo Whyte, myself, and Rev. Ainsworth Taffe. Rev. Whyte is bringing a team from his church in Alabama to serve with Rev. Taffe this summer at his church in Kington. We're partnering together to put on a three day medial clinic. 

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