Why Short Term Mission Trips Are Good For Our Ministry Partners

Are short-term mission trips a good idea?

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You may have asked yourself this question as you considered going on a short-term mission trip for the first time, or maybe you asked it after you got home. And for many, this skepticism is warranted. I’ve asked them myself!

What is truly helpful as Americans traveling overseas on a mission trip?

Over the years, Reign Ministries has faced this question and answered it by prioritizing partnerships with local churches and established missionaries. This partnership allows us to come alongside an already active ministry and say, “How can we help you? How can we help this community?” Our partners can answer with effective ways we can serve that do not hinder our witness. 

As an organization that takes teams on short-term trips, we may be a bit biased, so don’t just take it from us. Read below what our ministry contact from our Europe 2024 trip had to say.

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“We strongly believe that short-term teams are most effective when partnered with long-term local workers to both prepare and guide the short-termers in sharing the Gospel in culturally appropriate and relevant ways, but also to carry on with necessary follow-up and care for those impacted by the short-termer. 

We also see that short-termers infuse fresh energy and enthusiasm at times when long-term workers can be discouraged or tired.  They bring different sets of gifts and skills that the host team may lack and provide locals with a bigger picture of the Body of Christ.  

Last summer, the Royal Servants team provided much-needed extra hands to host a community-wide VBS. Without short-term visitors, our team simply isn't big enough to staff a multi-day event for dozens of kids, including those with disabilities. 

Furthermore, they came in such a way that the work of hosting them was less depleting because we did not have to plan for, shop, store, and prepare all of their meals, nor find an empty hotel to accommodate them.  They truly come with the "servant" mentality that made hosting them a pleasure and not a burden.  And our missionary kids got to see examples of North American teens living for Jesus with joy and commitment in a context where those examples are few and far between.”

-Cydil Waggoner - Missionary to Albania and Royal Servants Alum

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...short-term teams are most effective when partnered with long-term local workers to both prepare and guide the short-termers in sharing the Gospel in culturally appropriate and relevant ways...

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I remember during my one non-Reign related mission trip, our ministry partners were so excited for our team to be visiting them for a week in Colombia, and at the end of that week, they were genuinely sad to see us go. Before, I didn’t understand why. But now, as I’ve worked more closely with many full-time missionaries over the years, including Cydil, I’ve gained more of an appreciation for the support short-term trips offer our ministry partners. Full-time missionaries may experience slowness in doing ministry day in and day out, just like we experience in our jobs. That doesn’t mean they are devoid of the passion and calling they first had, but when a short-term team arrives, their energy and excitement are contagious.

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...when a short-term team arrives, their energy and excitement are contagious.

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Cydil and her team host groups from all over the U.S. Most of what she has to share comes from experiencing teams from varying backgrounds. 

At the end of the day, just as Cydil shared, short-term teams bring new energy, refreshment, new skills, and extra hands that our overseas ministry partners desperately need as they work year after year on the mission field. 

Something else Cydil shared stuck out to me, and that was the witness Christian youth have to the youth in other countries. Cydil was thankful for our team showing her own teenage children what American Christian youth act like. It’s a bit of a culture shock for some when all they know about American teenagers is what is seen through the lens of Hollywood, which we all know doesn’t accurately portray the lives of teenagers you find within the church. The simple witness we bring with our enthusiasm and joy translates across ages, cultures, and languages. It speaks louder than most words we can share with people. 

Look around you, and wherever you find yourself in this world, I’m sure you can point out the lack of joy in your families, friends, and communities. Sometimes, even on our darkest days, we all need a little hope to be reminded of the goodness still in the world. This is easily shared with others just by being ourselves. 

So, do short-term mission trips matter to our ministry partners? Yes.

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