The value of short-term missions
by Pastors Brian DeVries & Wade Koenen
Short-term missions are often criticized as being just a glorified version of Christian tourism or an expenses-paid holiday for a unique experience that makes you feel good about yourself. But these descriptions are excessively critical and overlook the value of short-term missions. It is true that some people abuse short-term mission opportunities, so we must be careful and guard ourselves from these abuses. But this is not always the case, and when we are careful the opposite is true. Short-term mission trips - like our recent experience in Agua Prieta - have great value for the entire global church. Allow us to list a few of the lasting values of our trip as a case in point.
- First, we are able to share some of our blessings with the Reformed Christians in Agua Prieta. By God’s grace, we are able to participate in the various ministries… to Him be the glory!
- Second, we ourselves received blessings from the Mexican people. Those who have been in similar circumstances will understand - it is in giving that you receive. As we gave of ourselves, we realized that we were receiving back much more than we were giving. With the Lord’s blessing, the fellowship and love we experienced caused us to recognize the poverty of our thankfulness for the little blessings in life and to thank the Lord for the marks of grace evident in some of the Mexican Christians. It is always surprising and wonderful to worship God in another culture and to experience that Christian fellowship transcends ethnic and economic barriers.
- Third, there is an often-overlooked hidden value We in Canada and the United States often forget the great blessings we have been given. Especially we as young people need to be reminded of the materialism that saturates our own society - feeling the stark contrast of poverty helps us see how we often misuse these blessings.
- Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, experiences like the one we had in Agua Prieta teach us how to think missionary thoughts. We who have been so blessed - not only with materials blessings but also with the spiritual treasures of Reformed truth - we have a great responsibility to share these treasures with others who are without. How guilty we will be in the Day of Judgment if we hoard these riches for ourselves while the rest of the world continues to live and die in spiritual poverty!
- Finally, short-term missions demonstrate and strengthen the unity of Christ’s global church. A new house in Agua Prieta now stands as a testimony to the Mexican community that Christians in Canada and the United States are one in Spirit with the Christians in Mexico. Though language issues, economic realities, and cultural differences separate us, and though politically there are great barriers, yet in Christ we are one. Though our brothers and sisters south of the border struggle with basic needs of life while we enjoy our warm showers and comfortable beds, yet in Christ we are untied by the Holy Spirit. And our recent experience of this oneness in Christ reminds us to remember their needs (Heb 12:3) and to do what we can to share our great blessings with the global church.
So our recent trip to Agua Prieta was a wonderful opportunity for giving, receiving, learning, and growing. For all who participated in making this trip possible - in giving, in praying, in planning - we wish to extend a warm thank you. May the Lord Himself replenish you with His grace. Please remember to pray for the needs of Agua Viva Ministries as they continue to demonstrate and declare the gospel of Jesus Christ in Agua Prieta.
Reprinted with permission from Glad Tidings, official publication of the Mission Committee of the Heritage Reformed Congregations.
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