“That was a life changing experience!”
“I will serve God ALL the days of my life!”
“My life is forever changed!”
These are just a few of the comments I hear at the end of a short-term mission trip. It brightens my day and encourages my spirit that such great impact has been made in such a short time. You wave good-bye to the team members as they gather their luggage and head towards the boarding gate. You thank the Lord for a great successful trip. And then there is the follow-up.
How is everybody doing?
Well, we have had a few issues. Mr. Whatshisname stopped coming to church, Mrs. Whatsherface started partying and little Ms. Sweetestlittlegirlever decided to stop believing in God.
What?!?!?! After all that success? Are you kidding me? Believe me when I say that everyone of those examples are real. I have been leading/hosting short-term mission teams since 2001. Unfortunately, after nearly every experience there is a casualty. Here are 3 reasons why:
1. Lack of preparation
2. They are Targeted
3. They disconnect from the local church
***I would like to add a 4th reason- people are just sometimes crazy. There, I said it. I will not expound any further on this point due to word count limits.
Here is a strategy to prevent the loss of good people after they return from the mission field.
1.Prepare them for reentry.
Before the team goes make it a point to explain the reentry process. Let them know that the journey does not end as soon as they arrive safely back on their home soil. This is actually where it begins and can be really life changing. If you are a leader of the team, plan a few meetings after the trip to debrief. Yes, I know everyone is physically tired and emotionally exhausted. But I would not wait more than a week to have the first debriefing meeting.
I used to require our team members to participate in a local outreach the very next weekend. Yes, the parents of the teenager weren’t happy with me. But, I wanted to show the team members that local missions was just as important and needed. It also was a good excuse to let them unwind back to their reality while still doing ministry. It is my opinion that ministry is a lifestyle not an event.
2. Pray for them AND with them
Participating in missions and being about the Father’s business is fun and actually serious stuff. Anyone willing to spread the Good News is going to be targeted by the enemy. He wants to take the joy from the trip and turn it into doubts. After every great success there seems to be a lull and that is the time the enemy will pounce. Remember Elijah? He had one of his greatest victories in 1 Kings 18 followed immediately by one of his biggest crashes in 1 Kings 19. From the Fire of God falling down to lying under a broom tree feeling totally isolated and asking God to kill him. If it can happen to a great prophet like him it will happen to you.
Prayer Prevention Plan- Build a prayer team
Pray- Two weeks before the trip
Pray- The duration of the trip
Pray- Two weeks after after the trip
3. Stay Connected to the Local Church
This is the lifeline. I believe everything flows and grows through the local church. This is a place where you find your spiritual covering, prayer partners and ultimately shape your destiny. The church is designed by God to be a safe place to discover your gifting, practice and hone in your God given skills. It is a place that you need to be. Especially after a missions trip. This is a place to grow and celebrate. You make lifelong friends and learn lessons that forever mark your life. Why would you not want to remain connected to the bride of Christ? Stay connected with His bride (the church) and you will cherish the memories of your missions trip. It will increase the value and richness of your experience.
I have gleaned from Steve Edwards. He is the founder and President of Global Passion. His organization puts together short-term mission trips for groups and individuals to countries around the world. He is doing a great work. You should donate to his work and help change the world.