God continues to move in a mighty way through short-term missions. What started as small groups of individuals going out a few decades back has now grown into a global missions movement. Within the U.S. alone, it is estimated that anywhere from 1-4 million people are mobilizing annually from tens of thousands of churches, ministries and schools. God is using short-term mission teams to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, to engage the Church in the Great Commission and to transform the individuals serving on teams. Our prayer is that God will guide and direct you in your journey and that this Kit will help you get started.

A successful short-term mission experience is one that brings about a long-term commitment to God’s purpose in the participants' lives. "Short-term missions for the long haul" requires goals and plans. Building a strategy that includes the church leadership and the congregation will make reaching those goals all the more realistic. Your pastor and church leadership need to be on board and the congregation needs to know and feel that the short-term mission is a church-wide event that lasts more than the actual days of the mission trip.

DELTA recommends four ways to help activate your church for local and global short-term missions:

PRAY

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Only God can fully engage your church in a thriving ministry of local and global short-term missions. No matter how passionate you are, God is the only one that can move the hearts of leaders, bring co-laborers to assist you, bless with unity and provide all of the necessary resources to make it happen. First, acknowledge this and then commit yourself to a season of focused prayer. Invite others to pray with you. Your journey will require patience, perseverance and a submissive heart to God's will and timing.

The FREE STM Starter Kit provides a 40 Day Prayer Catalyst to assist you in your journey.

ENCOURAGE

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

Here are a few tools to help you encourage others towards mobilizing local and global short-term mission teams. Request our free STM Starter Kit for additional tools or contact one of our experienced STM Coaches to come alongside your church.

• Why Send a Short-Term Mission Team? 
• Testimonial - Just one of thousands of testimonials from a church that engaged in short-term missions.
• The Ripple Effect DVD - An inspirational DVD that demonstrates how Short-Term Missions changes lives, churches and the world.

EQUIP

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.  Colossians 1:28

DELTA’s STM Coaches have the experience your church needs to equip your leaders and volunteers for short-term missions.  Each Coach seeks to serve and to be a blessing by coming alongside your church’s leadership and supporting your vision.  We provide you with the tools, training and resources to develop members within your church so they can accomplish the ministry long-term.  Our Coaches are available by phone, email, live chat or can come onsite with your support.  A few tools are provided below and more can be found on our free Short-Term Mission Starter Kit.

• Ministry Ideas for Short-Term Teams
• Sign-up for our free monthly Missions Moment e-mail.
• Change a Church DVD - Informative DVD demonstrating how DELTA can equip and assist your church.
• Request an STM Coach for your Team Training or Team Leader Training.

A DELTA STM Coach can provide your church a Full Service experience for your mission team.

Full-service support includes pre-trip consultation, locating a ministry opportunity and field locations, travel arrangements, field and church coordination, customized onsite training, accidental, medical and evacuation insurance coverage and a team budget. Each Team Member is provided the following resources: Training Manual, T-shirt, DISC Personality Profile and Workbook, Spiritual Journal, Team Members Short-term Mission (STM) Guide, Team Leaders STM Guide and various Mission Resources.  Contact an STM Coach today for more information.  

ENGAGE
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea  and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

Start Locally:  Before venturing into an overseas cross-cultural mission start by mobilizing teams for local ministry needs.  With a little effort and research your eyes will be opened to all the opportunities in your own back yard.  Start by praying and asking the Lord to lead you to where HE wants you to serve and to be a witness for Him in the community.  Also, contact partner churches, community organizations, government organizations and other local ministries for ideas.  You can also do your own research with a brief Community Assessment that is available on our free Short-Term Mission Starter Kit.   Another good investment is to accomplish a Link2Lead Ministry Area Profile.

Go Globally:  When planning a cross-cultural mission we recommend a church first contact their long-term supported missionaries to determine their needs and interest.  If the door is open, send them a Team Request Form to better access their needs and to determine how a short-term mission team can support their long-term efforts.  

In the beginning you may want a DELTA STM Coach alongside to assist you.  Each coach can assist you with the pre-field, on-field and post-field aspects of a short-term mission.  Our STM Coaches can also assist you with field locations and ministry ideas.