7 Reasons Short-term Mission Trips Are Good

When I was 14-years-old I went on my first short-term mission trip to Sri Lanka for two weeks. It set me on a path to serve missionaries for the rest of my life. I went on many more short-term mission trips throughout high school and college, and each one impacted me in a different way.

At Nations Outreach, we offer short-term mission trips throughout the year. As someone who has been both a participant and a leader on short-term mission trips, I can attest that they are good for so many reasons. In this article, I will give you seven reasons why short-term mission trips are good.

Why Short-term Mission Trips Are Good

Here are seven reasons why short-term mission trips are good:

1. Sharing The Gospel

The most important part of any short-term mission trip is the opportunity to share the Gospel with people who may have never heard it before. These trips give you a chance to spread the love of Jesus and help communities around the world.

If you’ve never shared your faith before, short-term mission trips are an excellent way to practice sharing your testimony. You’ll also have the opportunity to see how different cultures respond to the message of Jesus and learn how to effectively communicate it. In addition, you will learn how to build relationships and engage in meaningful conversations with people from diverse backgrounds.

2. Spiritual & Personal Growth

Another positive aspect of short-term mission trips is the spiritual and personal growth you will gain. Being in a new environment, surrounded by different people and cultures can challenge you to step out of your comfort zone.

You’ll have the opportunity to grow in areas such as patience, compassion, empathy, and understanding. Through serving others and being exposed to different ways of life, you may also gain a new perspective on your own faith journey. The trip will test you and open your eyes to possible weaknesses in your faith, allowing you to strengthen and grow in those areas.

3. Inspiration

Something we believe that’s really important at Nations Outreach is inspiring people to get started. Short-term mission trips are a great way to inspire a life filled with sharing the Gospel. Many full-time missionaries go on short-term mission trips before dedicating themselves to a life in the field.

Not only will the trip be an inspiration for you, but it will also inspire others around you. As they see your passion and willingness to serve, it may spark a desire in them to join in the mission work as well.

4. They Help Develop Empathy

Short-term mission trips allow you to step into the shoes of others and experience a different way of life, particularly for Westerners who have never traveled outside their home county.

Through interacting with the locals and seeing their living conditions, you may develop a deeper sense of empathy for those in need. This can lead to a greater understanding and appreciation for all that we have been blessed with in our own lives. You may also gain a better understanding of global issues and how you can make a positive impact in the world.

5. Humanitarian Aid

Some trips focus on providing humanitarian aid such as building homes, schools or providing medical care. My first mission trip was to Sri Lank after the massive tsunami in 2004. We were able to help the local community with medical aid, food, and more for those who had lost everything. This not only helped meet immediate needs but also provided hope for the future. And it provides an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Most of the mission trips we send teams on at Nations Outreach go to our projects, like the Jinja Children’s Home and Barahona Mission, where you will do these types of activities as a team.

6. Skill Development

A lot of short-term trips allow you to develop skills that will be valuable to you in the long run. For example, working on a construction project can teach you basic building skills and working with children can give you experience in child care and teaching.

These experiences can also open up opportunities for future employment or volunteering in areas of need around the world. Through short-term trips I have helped in orphanages, building houses, youth ministry, and so many more things that I wouldn’t have done otherwise.

7. Cultural Exposure

One of the most impactful things that short-term mission trips did for me was open my eyes to different cultures and ways of life. We often get so consumed with our own culture that we forget there is a much bigger world out there.

By going on a short-term trip, you will be able to experience new foods, customs, languages and more. This exposure can lead to greater understanding and appreciation for God’s creation.

Short-term Mission Trip Opportunities

Nations Outreach has multiple short-term mission trip opportunities throughout the year. If you’re interested in joining us, check our short-term mission trip schedule for upcoming opportunities. We believe that short-term mission trips are an impactful way to share the love of Christ with others and experience personal growth in your own faith journey.