Short-term mission: one way to raise up long-term workers

“Oh, Japan is a hard mission field.” This was the overwhelming response, usually given with a grave expression and a knowing look, when, as a university student, I began inquiring about long-term mission in Japan. People were trying to help by giving me realistic expectations, but this nearly snuffed out my interest. It certainly dampened my enthusiasm and stirred up many doubts and uncertainties. I don’t know that I’ve got what it takes. Maybe I’ll go somewhere else. However, I’ve now been working as a long-term missionary in Japan since 2012. “What happened?” you may ask.

It started with short-term mission

Experience was key for me. After university, in my first year working as a teacher, I had the opportunity to go on a short-term mission to Japan with a team and work with Ruth and Martin Ghent, who are church planters in Aomori Prefecture. During our three-week mission, we did not see anyone come to Christ. However, as I did life with the local people and got to know their stories, they became more than names and statistics. Through relationships, God gave me a love and burden for the Japanese people.

As we baked cakes and cookies late into the night to prepare for Christmas events or as we enjoyed a relaxing bath in the hot springs, Ruth shared many stories about some people who had come to faith and some who were on their way. The Ghents’ example of a life of sacrifice and love challenged me about how I was to live my life. Their stories showed me what it takes—faithful labour over the long haul, and the mercy and power of God.

Short-term mission: is it worth it?

There are many attitudes about short-term missions. Some people are short-term mission junkies who go again and again. Some long-term missionaries are more sceptical and question the benefits. Is it worth the hours of preparation and great financial cost? Others welcome short-termers to offset their workload.

Short-term mission trips are hard work to organize and an added load for long-term missionaries who are already weighed down with local ministry. It is an expensive way for people to experience mission. Having organised multiple short-term missions and made many mistakes, I think these trips are not always effective and beneficial. However, if organized well, they can make a positive and lasting impact on both the long-term work and the short-term worker. Nothing beats firsthand experience, and increasingly the trend seems to be for people go on short-term mission before committing to long-term service.

The biblical model for mobilisation

My short-term mission trip to Japan was instrumental to my becoming a long-term missionary. The Ghents made an impression on my life, yet what they did was nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it is what Jesus did with his disciples. Jesus taught the disciples about mission by modelling and teaching. He gave them opportunities to experience mission. He involved them in feeding the crowds and casting out demons, and he sent them out to preach and to heal. Mobilisation is essentially discipling.

As a missionary, I now have the privilege and joy of journeying with others as they consider long-term mission and grapple with the questions and doubts I once grappled with.

Morgan said, “What you said to me at the sushi restaurant during my short-term mission was instrumental in me coming back to Japan.” She is now serving for three years as a medium-term missionary and preparing to be a long-term missionary.

Gloria said, “Your sharing and prayer letters have been incredibly humbling and thought-provoking to see how you serve him and share his gospel with others despite personal cost, struggles, and challenges. It’s been a great help to me to understand that gospel workers are also just weak normal Christians whom God uses in his power to proclaim his name and build up his church for his glory.” She is currently doing a ministry training apprenticeship in Sydney and open to serving God overseas long term.

Mobilisation is making disciples who make disciples. As we share our stories and create opportunities for others to experience mission, God can open eyes to the needs and possibilities and stir hearts to go. Sometimes God shows us glimpses of the fruit of seeds we have sown in others’ lives. But even if we never know the result, we are called to faithfully and lovingly sow into their lives even as we prayerfully plead with God to raise up workers for the harvest field. 

Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japan_Airlines,_B767-300,_JA8986_(25455194740).jpg