Children met on a short-term mission trip.

Should I Go on a Short-Term Mission Trip?

When thinking of missionaries, many people think only of Christians who have taken up residence in some foreign country where the inhabitants most likely are unfamiliar with the Christian faith. However, every year thousands of Christians travel all over the world for periods of one week to six months to share the good news of the Gospel.
I went on my first short-term mission trip in 2001, about three years after retiring from the U.S. Navy. I had never considered becoming a missionary, either long or short-term, but when I read the announcement for volunteers to go to Russia I knew I had to go. For my entire life the Soviet Union, and then Russia, was the enemy. I studied their armed forces, orders of battle, language, culture, history and geography. If necessary, I was prepared to engage them in battle. But now God was calling me to go to Russia to talk with them, not as the enemy, but as His children who needed to hear His word. As the Grateful Dead once sang, “What a long, strange journey it’s been.” And it’s not over yet.

What are short-term missions?

When thinking of missionaries, many people think only of Christians who have taken up residence in some foreign country where the inhabitants most likely are unfamiliar with the Christian faith. However, every year thousands of Christians travel all over the world for periods of one week to six months to share the good news of the Gospel. They may indeed travel to countries without a history of Christianity, but they may also go on missions to former Soviet Bloc nations or to western European countries that have become secularized. They may even perform mission work right here in the United States. Think of it like this: Every military person on active duty is assigned to a permanent duty station. Occasionally, however, circumstances require a sailor or soldier to perform temporary duty (TDY) in support of another unit or operation. Consider a short-term mission as TDY in support of long term missionaries.

Why consider going on a short-term mission?

The answer to this question is found in Matthew 28: 18-20 (The Great Commission). Jesus tells His disciples to go out into the entire world to share the Gospel and make new disciples. As Christians, we are inheritors of this commission. In carrying out our obligation, we may travel near or far (or work right in our own communities), for long periods of time or short. Before considering any mission journey, pray for guidance and discernment. If you’ve never been on a mission trip, consider a short-term mission as a starting point. Short-term missions will teach you about building relationships through service to others, education, medical service and even pop culture. You can change the world and the experience will definitely change you. Participants typically return from the field with a deepened Christian commitment.
FInd a short-term mission trip right for you by filling out a service profile with MissionNext!

Jan R. Dray LCDR, USN (retired)

A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, Jan Dray enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1968 and was trained as a Russian Voice Processing Specialist. Completing his enlistment in 1972, he earned a BA in Russian language from Old Dominion University. After working in the civilian sector, he attended Naval Officer Candidate School, was commissioned in 1982 and was subsequently designated as a Special Duty Officer—Cryptology. Upon retiring from the United States Navy in 1998, he re-committed his life to Christ. He has led short-term mission teams to the North Caucasus region of Russia and to Chile, taught American history and culture at Stavropol State Agrarian University in Russia. As well, he has served as vice-chairman of the Russia Initiative Committee of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), UMC Staunton District missions coordinator, and is a certified lay speaker. His post-Navy employment positions include Director of Personnel and Testing for Highland County Public Schools and Executive Director of Industrial and Commercial Ministries.

2 thoughts on “Should I Go on a Short-Term Mission Trip?”

  1. I appreciate the spirit of this question, and the answer. I know it is not possible to address all components in a short article. However, as a missions organization director for 25 years, I have observed much good from short term missionaries. But also harm: both to the recipients as well as the “missionary.” Motive, preparedness, maturity, location, and purpose are primary. Though the following research is dated, it is still relevant: I strongly recommend the archived article by Randy Friesen: “The Long-term Impact of Short-term Missions.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly, October 2005, Vol. 41, No.4, p. 448. It is shocking. Negative impact is often on short-termers themselves. Not to mention the questionable results left on the field. And remember, we long-termers often must pick up the pieces from the harm done by well meaning short-termers who “had a great experience,” but left a mess in their wake. I am an advocate of short-term missions but ONLY when time-tested and specific pre-trip selection and preparation have taken place first. Having “my adventure with Jesus” or “Discovering if missions is for me” are not reasons at all. We’ve got to do better.

    Reply
  2. Pastor’s advice: Pray and ask God to lead you. Reflect on the skills and passions you have been given and offer them back to the Lord. Talk to those who know you well. Consider going with people you know. Work with an organization you already understand and respect. Or, if God is leading you into the unknown, trust him and step out!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

recent posts

recent comments

Latest

MissionNext Blog

Should I Go on a Short-Term Mission Trip?

Share!

Children met on a short-term mission trip.
I went on my first short-term mission trip in 2001, about three years after retiring from the U.S. Navy. I had never considered becoming a missionary, either long or short-term, but when I read the announcement for volunteers to go to Russia I knew I had to go. For my entire life the Soviet Union, and then Russia, was the enemy. I studied their armed forces, orders of battle, language, culture, history and geography. If necessary, I was prepared to engage them in battle. But now God was calling me to go to Russia to talk with them, not as the enemy, but as His children who needed to hear His word. As the Grateful Dead once sang, “What a long, strange journey it’s been.” And it’s not over yet.

What are short-term missions?

When thinking of missionaries, many people think only of Christians who have taken up residence in some foreign country where the inhabitants most likely are unfamiliar with the Christian faith. However, every year thousands of Christians travel all over the world for periods of one week to six months to share the good news of the Gospel. They may indeed travel to countries without a history of Christianity, but they may also go on missions to former Soviet Bloc nations or to western European countries that have become secularized. They may even perform mission work right here in the United States. Think of it like this: Every military person on active duty is assigned to a permanent duty station. Occasionally, however, circumstances require a sailor or soldier to perform temporary duty (TDY) in support of another unit or operation. Consider a short-term mission as TDY in support of long term missionaries.

Why consider going on a short-term mission?

The answer to this question is found in Matthew 28: 18-20 (The Great Commission). Jesus tells His disciples to go out into the entire world to share the Gospel and make new disciples. As Christians, we are inheritors of this commission. In carrying out our obligation, we may travel near or far (or work right in our own communities), for long periods of time or short. Before considering any mission journey, pray for guidance and discernment. If you’ve never been on a mission trip, consider a short-term mission as a starting point. Short-term missions will teach you about building relationships through service to others, education, medical service and even pop culture. You can change the world and the experience will definitely change you. Participants typically return from the field with a deepened Christian commitment.
FInd a short-term mission trip right for you by filling out a service profile with MissionNext!

Jan R. Dray LCDR, USN (retired)

A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, Jan Dray enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1968 and was trained as a Russian Voice Processing Specialist. Completing his enlistment in 1972, he earned a BA in Russian language from Old Dominion University. After working in the civilian sector, he attended Naval Officer Candidate School, was commissioned in 1982 and was subsequently designated as a Special Duty Officer—Cryptology. Upon retiring from the United States Navy in 1998, he re-committed his life to Christ. He has led short-term mission teams to the North Caucasus region of Russia and to Chile, taught American history and culture at Stavropol State Agrarian University in Russia. As well, he has served as vice-chairman of the Russia Initiative Committee of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), UMC Staunton District missions coordinator, and is a certified lay speaker. His post-Navy employment positions include Director of Personnel and Testing for Highland County Public Schools and Executive Director of Industrial and Commercial Ministries.

Share this Post!

2 thoughts on “Should I Go on a Short-Term Mission Trip?”

  1. I appreciate the spirit of this question, and the answer. I know it is not possible to address all components in a short article. However, as a missions organization director for 25 years, I have observed much good from short term missionaries. But also harm: both to the recipients as well as the “missionary.” Motive, preparedness, maturity, location, and purpose are primary. Though the following research is dated, it is still relevant: I strongly recommend the archived article by Randy Friesen: “The Long-term Impact of Short-term Missions.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly, October 2005, Vol. 41, No.4, p. 448. It is shocking. Negative impact is often on short-termers themselves. Not to mention the questionable results left on the field. And remember, we long-termers often must pick up the pieces from the harm done by well meaning short-termers who “had a great experience,” but left a mess in their wake. I am an advocate of short-term missions but ONLY when time-tested and specific pre-trip selection and preparation have taken place first. Having “my adventure with Jesus” or “Discovering if missions is for me” are not reasons at all. We’ve got to do better.

    Reply
  2. Pastor’s advice: Pray and ask God to lead you. Reflect on the skills and passions you have been given and offer them back to the Lord. Talk to those who know you well. Consider going with people you know. Work with an organization you already understand and respect. Or, if God is leading you into the unknown, trust him and step out!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Follow MissionNext!

TOP POSTS

recent posts

recent comments

Latest

Yes, I'm In!

Know when we post a new blog!

Recommended Browsers

Desktop Recommended for Profile Data Entry

Chrome Browser Logo

Chrome by Google

Works on Windows and MAC

Opera browser Logo

Opera by Chromium

Recommended Cautiously

Vivaldi Browser Logo

Vivaldi Technologies

Works on Windows and MAC

Edge Browser Logo

Edge by Microsoft

Works on Windows 10, 11

Firefox by Mozilla

Recommended Cautiously

safari-240-e1704411346526.png

Safari by Apple

Works on MAC