A quick Google search of “short term mission opportunity” will yield thousands of options and multiple organizations. Finding a place to go and an organization to sponsor a trip is not difficult. Locating the right organization for an effective partnership is more complicated – yet definitely possible.
Start with your denomination if your church belongs to one. Working with another organization has the advantage of connecting participants to someone who is capable of enabling them in missional participation long after their connection with you has faded. If this group is affiliated with your denomination, there is little risk of doctrinal conflicts. However, not all churches belong to a denomination. And not all denominations have short term mission opportunities.
As a next step, consider the organization(s) your missionaries affiliate with. As a church you have affirmed this organization along with your missionaries, making their short term opportunities a probable fit. Working with staff within these organizations can also help you to be of better support for your missionaries as you learn the culture and personnel who support your long term field workers.
If neither of these options works, there are several other avenues to explore. Which you choose depends significantly upon the nature and purpose of the trip you would like to take. Determine this before proceeding further. Without this information to guide you, the myriad of choices is likely to be overwhelming rather than enabling. There are three types of organizations to consider. Continue Reading
