My Theology and Experiences of Short Term Missions
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The very basis of every mission, regardless of its size, width, or measure, is for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our commission as His people was declared in Matthew 28, “Therefore go to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” The goal of every mission is clear and decisive as seen through the canon of scripture. Nonetheless, mission trips were formed and have evolved from something of lifelong purpose to week long mission trips. I by no means believe this has been an averted decision or path of the Church from the command of Jesus, it rather brings along new rafications and disciplines. For example, Adventures in Missions is a organization that has configured multiple avenues for the spread of the Gospel to those within and outside the borders of America through short term missions.
The opportunity and experience that the program offers, I believe, is a great picture of what appeals to short term mission trips. Like myself, the ability for me to go overseas and spread the Gospel is an astounding privilege. Living missionally can occur anywhere, but the dedication to an area, people, language, and culture that is foreign beckons different dedication. The unique ability of short term mission trips is just that; dedication. They allow opportunity to be maximized in a short period of time, assimilation to alien cultures, and the perspective of reality from different peoples and cultures. Short term missions are designed to accomplish much in a short period of time.
With time as the starting point, I would explain my theology of short term missions through Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, let your roots grow down into Him, let your lives be built on Him, and your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and your heart will overflow with thanksgiving.” Contextually, Paul calls out (or identifies) the possibility of there being plausible arguments of delusion and uses verses six and seven to bolster and encourage the people of Colossae and Ladocia. This is a plan for the people to be rooted in the Truth of Jesus and follow only the traditions according to Him(verse 8). Similarly, I would urge that all short time mission trips would take into account the theology in which they teach and carry with them. Which, is through the focus of biblically rooted and exegetical teaching by discipleship and teaching. Without the Bible as teacher to those that are on and encountered during short term mission trips, I cite the words of Balthasar Hubmaier “The greatest deception of the people is the kind of zeal for God which is invested without Scripture in the interest of the salvation of souls, the honor of the church, love for the truth, good intentions, usages or custom, episcopal decrees, and the indications of reason, all of which have been begged from the light of nature. These are lethal errors, when they are not led and directed according to Scripture.” Therefore, since the window of time is so small, the severity of speaking Truth into the missionaries and out of them is most important.
On more of the practical sense of short term missions, I would consider the time of investment in the relationship of people as second most urgent to the Gospel being dispersed. Salvation has come through Jesus Christ to man and there is no better depiction of that than the genuine remarks and actions of the one who loves Him. Therefore, international investment for the people that are met in any given area is second-priority. Let us bolster their soil and hearts with the word of God so that when the seed does fall, it can grow past the thorns of sin and not choke out that which is has been taught. It can look like participation in conversation, communal event, or even sports games. Whatever connection can be made between those who live in the culture, and those who are the short term mission trip, should be made for the sake of love. I believe any genuine desire to go on such a trip should be then fullmented by the desire to give it out.
With that, love should be the message of each word and action of the trip. First, the preaching of the Gospel (conviction of sins and the need for forgiveness, which is only found in Jesus Christ) and then the genuine affection and care that follows it. If anything be activated on the trip, let it be the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit that we are given, love. We not only share in the Father’s love, but we are commissioned to share it. This must be the face of each short-term mission trip and each brother and sister that attends. There is no greater message, with no word or action, that speaks greater than love. This love, is not only for those who are met on the trip, but for those that are going as well.
Lastly is the discipleship of those on the trip. Short-term trips present a time of investment in those who have given up two or three weeks to serve. I think it can be a crucial time for those who may have never left the country or are experiencing a new culture. Emphasizing what they are going into, the environment, and then connecting that to reality when they get there can be a powerful perspective shift. Let the poverty of the poor become something tangible in their minds and the window as a woman who is alive and fighting in the world a reality. Let the call of Jesus in our lives become a reality to the people that are welcomed onto the trip. The call of missions is for those who know Jesus, not for those who are called.
In conclusion, short-term mission trips begin with a biblical heading and Gospel-centered motto. There, the people and the focus should be on bringing Jesus Christ and His saving of sin, instead of human intention. After this, the people that are reached and their discipleship fall into place. They can founded, taught, and encouraged by the Truth that is taught. In that, those who attend the mission trip can be actuated to the culture and people they invest in. The perspective of the Christian call to those who haven’t heard and live in poverty and destitution can take shape. And in all of this, love will be the face of action and word. For every relationship, decision, and planning strategy, to position each participant and person encountered to be loved well by His Church.
