10 Reasons Why Short-Term Missions are Good
My prayer for you is that you will see the benefits of short-term mission trips and will consider afresh participating in one soon.
This post is part of our “From the Field” series, where we’re highlighting our Summer 2026 short-term mission trips. If you’re a student at NOBTS, consider a trip with the Global Mission Center. Find more information on our website under the “Participate” tab!
I recently returned from a short-term mission trip. The hope and desire for our team was to answer three questions during our time in Southeast Asia:
What does lostness look like in this part of the world?
What does it mean to live as a Christian in this context?
What is it like to be a missionary in this place and among these peoples?
For the next two and a half weeks, we spent time in multiple places and engaged with a ton of people. By the end of that time, all of us had a better sense of lostness, following Jesus, and what it means to be a missionary in this context. It was truly a trip that had a lasting impact on our team. (Read more from NOBTS News and Baptist Press)
While the location and team dynamics were different from those of other trips I have taken part in, I believe this trip exemplifies the good of short-term missions. In my role, I regularly participate in short-term trips and send multiple teams of students each year. The goal is always the same, no matter the context, which is to help fulfill the Great Commission through evangelism, discipleship, and related activities.
Short-term mission trips are invaluable, and you should consider participating in one or sending people in your ministry sphere on one for the following ten reasons.
Seeing and engaging lostness in a different part of the world or with someone from a different cultural and religious background is good and healthy for believers. Believers are called to have a Great Commission posture, even if we are not called to serve long-term as a missionary. Short-term trips help us live that out.
Short-term trips help you understand and appreciate other cultures and people from other walks of life. Traveling cross-culturally and engaging people beyond being a tourist only helps you in seeing men and women who as made in the image of God and understanding that there is much more that connects than separates us from others.
STM trips allow you to show your support of and care for the global church. It is amazing to spend time with and experience life with believers in contexts different from our own.
Holding the ropes for our sent ones takes on more tangible expressions. Not only can you walk with and take part in the ministry of sent ones. Once you get a taste of their life and work, you are energized to pray and care for them in deeper ways.
STM trips shape how you pray and, often, how you see God work. I know for me, seeing God provide, answer prayer, and change people’s lives around the world has helped me love God more deeply and grown my expectations of how He will work daily.
Participation on a short-term trip is a demonstration of sacrifice and trust. Giving up time and finances is a sacrifice. Additionally, a healthy short-term trip should push you out of your comfort zone in terms of evangelism, discipleship, and training. Talk about needing to trust God!
STM trips provide a lab of intensive training and discipleship. Not only can you partner with and learn from believers around the world, but it is also a great way to walk alongside someone who is younger in their faith and help them grow to look more like Christ.
Done well, a short-term trip should energize your walk and witness back home. Yes, often opportunities for kingdom activities are intensified overseas. The reality is that much of what you do while on a STM trip should be a consistent part of your life back home.
A healthy short-term mission trip pushes you to take on a posture of humility and charity. From team dynamics to navigating new cultural realities and food, to listening to national believers and local missionaries, opportunities to cultivate humility and charity are numerous.
For many, long-term missionary service began as a short-term mission trip. It gives you the reality of life and work overseas. Yes, you often only see much of the good, but it also allows the Lord to work in you and, for many, begin to consider, “Why not me?”
I am thankful for our time in Southeast Asia. I am eagerly anticipating how the Lord will continue to produce kingdom fruit in Southeast Asia and within my team due to our obedience in going. My prayer for you is that you will see the benefits of short-term mission trips and will consider afresh participating in one soon.