Short Term Missions Is It Worth It?

God uses short-term, cross- cultural experiences today to transform people’s theological world-view.

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. And God was compassionate over the evil that He had said to do to them, and He did not do it. (Jon 3:10)

And he prayed to Jehovah and said, Please, O Jehovah, was this not my saying when I was still in my land? On account of this I fled before to Tarshish. For I knew that You are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and One who repents over calamity. (Jon 4:2) And now, O Jehovah, I beseech You, take my life from me. For better is my death than my life. (Jon 4:3)

Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, How do you, being a Jew, ask a drink of me, who am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews do not associate with Samaritans. (Joh 4:9) (See – Jn. 4:41)

…And in that day there was a great persecution on the church at Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Act 8:1) And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the many miracles which he did. (Act 8:6) And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them. (Act 8:5) Guess Who Winds Up In Samaria?

God also uses short-term, cross-cultural experiences to transform people’s understanding of the body of Christ.

And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean. (Act 10:28 )

After these things I looked, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palms in their hands. (Rev 7:9)

God uses short-term ministries and cross-cultural exposure to challenge people long-term about entering lives of service to the church around the world.

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled the ministry, having taken with them John, whose last name was Mark. (Act 12:25) But Paul thought it well not to take that one with them, he having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work. (Act 15:38) And Barnabas determined to take with them John, he being called Mark. (Act 15:37) For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and he has departed to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. (2Ti 4:10) Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2Ti 4:11)

Is Short Term Missions Worth It? The Answer: Yes!!! God changes lives God enlarges our vision of Himself God transforms us out of our racism and stereotypes God calls us into His mission to the world Through Short Term Missions: