Long-Term Impact and Short-Term Missions

Following is a write-up that I got from one of my friends in Honduras, Mark Fittz (Missionary with CAM International)...

Do short-term missions make a long-term impact? Because it's what I do, I’ve been thinking and reading about that question lately. Below are just a few of the benefits I can think of for utilizing short-term missions as a strategy for following the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
*A mission team provides new ministry opportunities for the indigenous church leadership. Many times a group of short-term missionaries can open doors for the local church that remain open long after the team has returned.
* A mission team can provide support that the indigenous church leadership through supplies, prayers and even finances.
* Mission team members get a chance to interact with church leaders from other cultures. When they return home these team members often become advocates for these national church leaders. There is nothing like a personal testimony from a team member to help a church get excited about partnering with national church leaders.
*Mission team members gain a bigger vision of what God is doing around the world and how they can be involved. The phrase "seeing is believing" applies here. Whether or not you feel called to missions after you return from a short-term mission trip, you will return with a bigger vision of God's Kingdom.
*Mission team members are stretched by their experiences, grow in their relationship with God and discover God can use them in ways they never imagined. Short-term missions allows people to get out of their comfort zone. When we are out of our comfort zone it causes us to rely on God. That realiance on God allows short-term missionaries to see that God will equip you for whatever task He calls you to in His Kingdom.
*Short-term missionaries often become long-term missionaries. Some studies show that 90% of all long-term missionaries view their short-term experiences as significant to their calling. Not all short-term missionaries become long-term career missionaries . . . not by a long shot. Yet those who go on short-term missions have experienced God in ways they may have never experienced Him at home. This often leads to deeper faith and a greater trust in God's plan.
*Hope can only be Hand-Delivered. You can put medicine, supplies, bibles and all kinds of stuff in boxes and send them across the world. Hope, however, can't be placed in a box. Hope must be hand-delivered. Short-term missions is often an avenue for hand-delivering hope to the world.

BOTTOM LINE: Short-term missions helps fulfill the Great Commission command to “Go and make disciples.” Go, and God will change your heart for the whole world!