In Part - Summer 2008

When I went with a short-term work team to Venezuela in 2001, it was really just about satisfying my curiosity and easing my guilty conscience. We live in such an affluent society, and I thought maybe I would “feel better” if I gave something back. I’d heard that short-term mission trips were life changing, but for me, that turned out to be a real understatement. On the final evening, I was sitting on the rooftop, and all at once—and most unexpectedly—the Spirit of God settled upon me. In that moment, God spoke to me, saying, “I want you to follow me into full-time ministry.”

It’s been a five-year journey from there. At many times, it’s made no sense at all—having to let go of 1,800 acres of cash crop land, cattle, and machinery—but here I am today serving as a pastor in a BIC congregation in Gormley, ON. Most times I feel inadequate and ask God why on earth He called me to this. But isn’t that the lifelong journey of a Christ-follower?

So, my whole point is simply this: Regardless of self-seeking, ungodly motivations for going on a short-term mission trip, I believe with all my heart that God uses these opportunities to change lives. My caution: Don’t dare to sign up for a short-term trip unless you’re OK with God doing something in your life. He just might!

—Jim Baker , Heise Hill BIC Church (Gormley, ON)

The closest thing I have ever experienced to what may have been a truly “missional” experience was on my first trip to Haiti with 10 teenagers. For weeks, I had warned them, “Do not eat or drink anything off of the mission compound. Nothing!” We arrived in Haiti, and on Sunday we visited a Haitian church, where they were sharing communion. And when I say “sharing” I don’t mean with individual plastic cups of grape juice and a plate laden with neatly cut little wafers. I mean a church sharing out of a communal cup and a loaf of bread passed hand to hand. As the cup and the bread slowly made their way through the congregation to the very back two rows where we were seated, 10 pairs of great big eyes pinned me and the other leader to our seats, asking, “Should we take communion or not? What are we supposed to do now?”

I wonder if, to really get away from that “rich American tourist” experience, we wouldn’t need to not only share communion with our brothers and sisters, but also to share their homes, meals, bathroom facilities (or lack thereof), and modes of transportation.
But I admit that I would be the first to hesitate and probably turn down such an experience. I am spoiled and finicky; I like air conditioning and comfort. I am certainly not proud of it, but I’m pretty sure I am not cut out for that kind of an experience. God, forgive me!

—Debby Bentch, Hanover (Pa.) BIC Church

Been to a grocery store lately? I know people who go there to see what samples they can try. Why do they offer samples? So you’ll buy in, of course! The same principle applies to missions. Serving others takes on a new degree of intentionality when you go on a short-term mission, and frequently it translates into long-term difference-making subsequent to the trip.

My wife and I visited Haiti a number of years ago, delivering medical supplies to tuberculosis clinics. We shared at a church held in a narrow, dilapidated building that was packed wall-to-wall with spiritually hungry people. We learned that the building was being refurbished and the landlord would be giving them the boot within the next month or so. We came home burdened by what we had seen. Over the next year, we shared that burden with enough friends to see provisions raised for a new building, which was erected in the same area of Port au Prince and seated 500. It was full within the first few months of being built.

I was a businessman when I went on that first mission trip. Now I’m a pastor because there is no joy like that which comes from serving others and seeing people come to Christ. Yes, short-term missions makes a difference!

P.S.: Four of my parishioners just got back from Haiti a few weeks ago. They were thrilled to have been there!

—Tim Harden , Rosebank BIC (Kitchener, ON)

WELCOME