Understanding Short-Term Mission: A Guide for Leaders and Participants

In short-term mission experiences, people serve in a culture different from their own for a few days, a week, or a few months. Sometimes called immersion experiences, short-term mission can include alternative spring breaks, medical outreach teams, building programs, parish twinning, mission trips, and other volunteer programs offering people an opportunity to give of their time to help others. This guide offers support and learning for those who lead these programs as well as for the participants. Topics include understanding mission, practicalities for leaders, a comprehensive tool kit for reflection and spiritual practice, and a series of essays sharing wisdom from experienced leaders of short-term mission experiences. As more and more people participate in short-term mission, this book provides practical guidance on how to prepare for, participate in, and reflect on the experience so that participants integrate short-term mission as part of a lifelong commitment to service. This book is one in a series of five volumes published by From Mission to Mission, an organization serving returning missioners and volunteers since 1980. The guide shares insights from decades of experience with those returning from a time of living and serving in another culture.