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Refugees in Christ: A Lent Guide

Lent is a season rich in remembrance. This year, join us as we reflect on the refugee crisis and our ultimate hope of salvation through Christ. Photo by TEAM

Feb 13 2018

Lent is a season rich in imagery. As we reflect on the life and ministry of Christ, and remember His suffering and resurrection, we are reminded of the darkness that pervades our world, as well as the hope of new creation. We remember what we have lost to a world broken because of sin. We remember how, before Jesus made a way, we were foreigners to the family of Christ. We remember how in the most broken of circumstances, God continues to move in and through His people. As we reflect on all this, may another picture come to mind:…

To extend the impact of your short-term mission trip, having a debriefing plan in place to help you process your experience is crucial. Photo by TEAM

Aug 08 2017

Short-term mission trips are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that can be highly impactful for both the participants and those they serve. However, coming home after such an intense foreign experience is often a difficult process to navigate. You’re likely to experience reverse culture shock, and accepting the realities of being back home may take longer than you anticipate. That’s why having a plan to debrief your short-term mission trip is so important. If you’ve recently returned from a short-term mission trip, here are five practical tips for a healthy and productive debriefing process: 1. Share your experience with others. People…

Know a team, friend or loved one returning from a mission trip? Curious to know how it went? Help them process their experience with this list of 15 thoughtful questions to ask after a mission trip.

Jun 22 2017

¡Descargue una traducción al español de esta publicación aquí! “It was life-changing.” “It was amazing.” “It’s hard to put into words.” If you’ve ever asked a short-term missionary about their experience, you’ve probably heard one of these statements in response. Returning short-term missionaries often benefit from processing their experiences. In fact, TEAM recommends each of our short-term missionaries debrief from their trip with both their missions coach and their church community. However, helping someone process a cross-cultural mission trip isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Often, the questions asked are so broad that missionaries struggle to articulate answers without…

Whether the word committee makes your cringe or cheer, your church needs a dedicated group of people to focus on global missions. Photo by TEAM

Jan 19 2017

It’s easy to assume someone at your church will do mission work. After all, isn’t the church charged with the Great Commission as one of Jesus’ last commands on earth? But the reality is, living in obedience to God’s mission takes intentionality. Having point people focus on how the church is called to share the gospel, send new missionaries and care for sent ones is critical to any congregation. In many churches, this group of people is called the missions committee. Whether your church loves committees or feels like the word is old-fashioned, there is just something effective about a group…

Church leaders, you are key players in preparing a potential missionary for cross-cultural service. Here are actionable steps to shepherding missionaries in your church. Photo by TEAM

Sep 13 2016

Someone comes to you, their pastor, and says they feel called to ministry. That’s awesome! But what can your church do from there? The temptation could be to send potential missionaries from your church to a missions agency and let the organization take care of the rest. While agencies have valuable resources for churches, many agencies agree: The local church is the one God has called and equipped to fulfill the Great Commission. That means the church gets to play an important role in assessing and preparing missionary candidates for global ministry. Below are four areas where church participation and support…

No one is ever fully ready for missions, but with some critical thought, you can leave for the field armed with wisdom and a healthy perspective. Photo by TEAM

Aug 23 2016

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you.” Luke 14:28-29, NIV Jesus said a lot of radical things during his time on earth, but in Luke 14, he settled in for a moment of plain common sense: People who jump into things before they’re ready frequently live to regret it. In the missions world, we like to celebrate passion, risk-taking…

Every mission trip is different, but there are few essential items every short-term missionary shouldn't leave home without.

May 12 2016

Whether you wait until the eleventh hour or have been packing and re-packing for months, here’s your comprehensive mission trip packing list. Download the checklist here to cross off items as you pack them! THE ESSENTIALS Don’t pull out of the driveway without these items in your bag. Bible and Journal Keep your journal handy to record your experiences and what God is teaching you. If you are serving in a security-sensitive area, like the Middle East, check with the long-term missionaries there before you bring Christian materials. Cash and Debit/Credit Card Find out how to best obtain the local currency when…

Cultural preparation is critical to a short-mission trip. Jumpstart your cultural learning with these 20 questions. Photo by TEAM

Apr 21 2016

Preparing for a short-term mission trip doesn’t stop when your funds are raised and your flight is booked. Before jetting off on your short-term mission trip, it’s critical to have an understanding of the culture in which you will be living and serving. Having knowledge of your host country’s unique customs will engender the respect you need from locals to be successful in ministry. It also might save you from a cultural blunder or two! To build a foundation of cultural competency, spend time answering the following diagnostic questions. You can download a printable version with space to record your findings here. Questions to Help…

There are beneficial things you can do to help yourself thrive after a short-term missions experience. Photo by TEAM

Aug 14 2015

All short-term trips are supposed to end. But having a return ticket in your backpack doesn’t make the journey home a breeze. Below are six simple steps you can take to weather one of the toughest parts of going overseas: coming home. 1. RESUME YOUR OLD ROUTINE Your body doesn’t know if it’s 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., your pantry is empty and your clothes are tangled at the bottom of a suitcase. After a season of adventure, it might sound like the last thing you want to do, but getting back into a normal rhythm of life is crucial. Sleep…

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Refugees in Christ: A Lent Guide

5 Ways to Debrief After Your Short-Term Mission Trip

15 Questions to Ask Someone After a Mission Trip

3 Reasons Why Your Church Needs a Missions Committee

4 Ways Pastors Can Prepare Future Missionaries [Free Resource]

How Do I Know if I’m Ready for Missions? [Free Download]

The Essential Guide to Packing For Your Mission Trip

20 Questions to Help You Prepare for a Mission Trip

Six Steps for Thriving After Your Short Term Mission Trip