I want to spend a little time talking about short-term missions. I recently did a class on “Modern Missions Movements,” and you can’t talk about the current state of missions without talking about short-term trips. I’ve got some concerns and suggestions for improvement, but first let me share some relevant personal facts:

• A short-term trip led to a long-term commitment for me. I went on a campaign to Argentina (my first trip outside the U.S.), which led me to spend two years there as an apprentice and thirteen years in a long-term work.
• My wife’s family came to the Lord through a campaign that involved short-term workers. That campaign also resulted in the establishment of the congregation that we worked with for thirteen years.
• My wife and I met on a later campaign.
• I’ve been on numerous trips through the years, as recently as this past summer.

So as I criticize some aspects of short-term missions, I want you to know that I do so as someone who merely wants to see them improve, not see them go away.

What have your experiences been with short-term missions?