Short Term Mission, Long Term Impact
October 2008
"If I had to describe Paul and Christie’s ministry in two words it would be 'changed lives'. Lives that go on to impact others for the Kingdom of Christ through their experiences," Dr. David Summey, CEO and Director of HIM says. "They are a huge blessing to us and all the people that they lead on teams, as well as those they minister to overseas who need to hear the Gospel and of Christ's love for them."
Paul and Christie Kendall, Short Term Mission Teams Coordinators at HIM, can talk with you for hours about the impact that any one trip has had on volunteers, ministry workers and international believers - not to mention their own lives.
While the ministry's overall aim mirrors that of long-term missions - making disciples of all nations - the purpose of Short Term Missions at HIM is not so much one of blazing unchartered territory only to desert it again, but rather coming alongside in assistance to existing ministries. Where present needs are found, Paul and Christie prayerfully match volunteer teams to help.
"I really see the importance in developing and facilitating relationships," Christie notes. "Dependence on relationships with nationals is huge because of their intimate understanding of the culture. With short-term missions, our cultural knowledge can never be as developed."
A bonus of involvement in Short Term Missions is being able to witness an increase take place in volunteers' hearts for the international church and the global reach of God's Word. Some volunteers find the Lord drawing them into further ministry - even committing to long-term missionary work in order to be directly involved in disciple-making and continued outreach. Volunteers and national believers, filled with excitement and passion for what God is doing, turn and share with others what they themselves have received. "That’s like the cherry on top," Paul says.
Currently, HIM Short Term Mission Teams are involved with ministries in a number of countries on three different continents. Following are brief summaries of a few of them:
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Intro: Long Term Impact