Short-term missions

10) It’s not Too Late to Study/Teach This Summer in China

Believe it or not, here’s an opportunity you still might be able to make happen. Visit…

http://www.errchina.com/SummerBridge.html

To learn about “Summer Bridge,” and

http://www.errchina.com/summerProgram.html

to learn about Summer Teaching. Put the two together, and it looks like you could spend virtually the entire summer in China. Download more details, brochures, and applications at the sites above.

1) Planting Islands of Integrity in Eastern Europe

East European Lake

East European Lake

We’re grateful this week for a financial gift from a project consultant with Integra Ventures USA.  Our Brigada friend is a non-residential missionary working in the country of Bulgaria. He does 3 one-month trips a year, focusing on Small to Medium Enterprise development – or “Planting Islands of Integrity in Eastern Europe.” To learn more, please browse to

http://www.integrausa.org and

http://www.integra-bds.bg

 

Thank you for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9) Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities with IDEAS

IDEAS offers short-term volunteer opportunities for Christian professionals who want to gain international professional experience while also developing relationships and embracing a new culture and community. The Contract Associate Program (CAP) was created to provide international opportunities for Christian professionals while also providing support and expertise to long-term Associates and projects. These short-term assignments range from two weeks to one year. Visit

http://www.ideasworld.org/opportunities/short-term-opportunities/

for a list of current opportunities or email vickidotoehringatideasworlddotorg  (vickidotoehringatideasworlddotorg)  

5) Three Myths about inspiring your churches

Statistics say millions are going on short-term mission (STM) trips every year. Undoubtedly the vast majority are coming home excited to get others involved, especially those from their church. However many people go about inspiring others with wrong ideas. Here are 3 myths that commonly lead people astray:

Myth #1 – If I can just get people to go, they will be changed just like me.

Myth #2 – Sending STM teams means my church is missions-minded.

Myth #3 – I can inspire my church to action by myself.

For more information on these myths and how to conquer them, go to

http://themissionsmoment.blogspot.com/2012/08/3-myths-about-inspiring-your-c hurch-to.html

(Note: This last link will “wrap.” If you have trouble copying it and pasting it into your browser, just log on to Brigada today online and find this same item posted there. We’ll make sure the link works on our site. Thanks.)

7) Get Free Access to Resources for Coordinating Short-term Trips

STM Toolbox, a ministry dedicated to providing free access to resources for those coordinating short term mission, is launching a new email series. This monthly email provides insight on a particular topic related to short term mission. Each issue is filled with articles and links to help the short term mission coordinator perform their ministry with greater passion and knowledge. The August issue catalogues over 25 resources for debriefing short term mission teams. Subscription is free, but you have to sign up at

http://www.stmtoolbox.org

7) Conference for Short-Term Mission Leaders —

Every October STM leaders from around the world gather to grapple with where God is leading and how missions can be improved. Whether you are an educator, agency executive, church pastor, host-receiver, or team leader, the Forum exists to renew your soul, equip your ministry, and expand your vision. Join this vital ongoing conversation on the role of short-term leadership in global mission! For more information, check out FSTML’s website,

 

http://www.fstml.org/index.php

6) Short-Term Mission Leaders’ Conference —

The Short-Term Mission Leaders’ Conference (STMLC) is an annual training event open to churches, schools, agencies & individuals. It is designed to impact team members, leaders, and those who train, organize, or supervise Christian short-term mission trips as well as those who receive them. If you want to learn to lead short-term mission teams with excellence, you won’t want to miss this! April 12-14, 2012 in Bloomington, MN. Learn more about this conference at:

 

http://www.stemintl.org/training/stmlc

 

or go directly to the registration page here:

 

http://www.cvent.com/d/1cq7vh

 

or call 1.877.STEM.646 or 952.996.1385 for more info. Early registration/group discounts available.

5) The Next Mile: A Coach’s Guide —

Change lives before, during and after a short-term mission. The Next Mile: A Coach’s Guide is designed to encourage and equip pastors and lay leaders to follow-through with returning short-term missionaries in a meaningful way. The goal is to see short-termers experience lasting change by helping them determine God’s call on their lives and how they can become more like Christ.  Developed in partnership with Western Seminary’s Transformational Coach Training Program, this guide will equip you with enough information to become an informal coach for a returning short-termer. A short-termer is someone who has participated on a short-term mission team, served at a Christian camp or any type of short-term ministry assignment for as little as a few days to three years.  The basic objectives are 1) For you to know a basic definition of coaching and the unique role coaching plays in a person’s spiritual growth; 2) For you to understand the basic framework of a coaching conversation; 3) For this Coach Guide to serve as a resource in your coaching; 4) To provide the short-termer with intentional help and forward movement as they consider the impact of their trip on the rest of their lives.  The Next Mile is a collaborative effort of mission agencies and organizations joining together to address the “black hole” of short-term missions with resources for effective follow-through. It’s available as an E-Book at:

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006YH2AKQ

 

Find it via a hard copy at:

 

http://ondemand.condeopress.com/s-thomas-c-mcdaniel/the-next-mile-a-coach-s-guide.html

 

(Note: This last link will “wrap.” If you have trouble copying it and pasting it into your browser, just log on to Brigada today online and find this same item posted there. We’ll make sure the link works on our site. Thanks.)

9) The Next Mile E-Zine -–

Are you going on a mission trip or recently back from one? Sign up for Next Mile’s free twelve-part E-Zine. Designed especially for those recently returning from a short-term mission experience, The Next Mile E-Zine will help you process your short-term mission experience and keep the flame alive! You will learn how to share your story, process your experience and live life on mission.  This twelve part E-Zine provides nearly 50 resources covering these major areas of follow-through for short-termers:

 

1.    Welcome Home

2.    Sharing About Your Mission Trip

3.    Re-entry

4.    Growing Closer to God

5.    A Missional Worldview

6.    Navigating the Crossroads

7.    Stay the Course Locally

8.    Stay the Course Globally

9.    Staying the Course with Your Field and Missionaries

10.   Exploring Career Missions

11.   Mission Training and Resources

12.   Closing Thoughts

 

Sign up and encourage others team members to sign up here:  http://www.thenextmile.org/ezine-signup/

9) Don’t forget the Nat’l Short-Term Missions Conf. in Tucson —

Make your short-term mission efforts more effective with practical insights, innovation, and inspiration gained at The National Short-Term Missions Conference (NSTMC) in sunny Tucson Jan. 26-28, 2012 at Casas Church. This gathering is sponsored by the Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission organization. Featured speakers include Dr. Ron Blue and Glenn Schwartz among several others. Learn more about the conference at

 

http://www.nstmc.org

 

and about the Standards of Excellence at

 

http://www.soe.org

6) Do Inexperienced Short Term Missionaries Make You Nervous? —

Don’t miss the blessing they bring. Remember, you were once on your first short term mission! Help them get their hearts ready for the cultural and spiritual challenges they will face, so that they go with humility, team unity, and servants’ hearts. “Before You Go” a 40-day devotional to prepare short term missionaries by Jack Hempfling, with a Foreword by YWAM Regional Director Peter Warren, is now available as an EBook for Kindle and Nook, (Apple is in process). “I wish I had this book when I was starting out. I’d have avoided a lot of mistakes” and “Our teams are much better since we have each member get on the same page with this devotional,” are commonly heard reports from using this tool.  Excellent and easy-to-use way to get all your short termers into the Presence of God before a trip and maximize their impact during the trip.

 

http://xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781607913511

 

to see a summary. Get bulk discounts at U.S. number 866-381-2665, ext 1163 (Jason), or order from Amazon.com or your favorite bookstore. (Thanks to the author for the way he helps Brigada, by the way!)

5) New Short-term Missions Tool –

Have you ever wondered if your church or ministry should send a short-term mission (STM) team?  With all the needs and all the opportunities, how do you know where to go and what to do? Recognizing that many churches and ministries wrestle with determining which STMs to promote and move forward with, DELTA Ministries International (DELTA) has recently released the Short-Term Mission Trip Assessment Tool.

 

http://www.deltaministries.com/onlinestore?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=12&category_id=2

 

[Warning: This URL will "wrap." If you have trouble reassembling it, just go to this item on the Brigada page at www.brigada.org and click there.]

 

This tool and the free supplement guide will provide insight needed to assess your church and mission trip objectively as well as provide a target to work towards as you develop your individual trip or short-term mission sending program.  Visit DELTA’s online store to purchase an unlimited use license for only $4.99US. If you have questions about this tool contact Tory Ruark at toryratdeltaministriesdotcom or call 1-800-533-5822.

1) Most Popular Mission Trip Locations —

An analysis of 85,000 searches made on

 

http://www.ShortTermMissions.com

 

this past Spring reveals that Kenya and Uganda dropped out of the high popularity position which they enjoyed over the past several years. Mexico, which has solidly been in second place for years, is no longer in the top ten most popular countries for mission trips. Haiti, which rose to prominence last Spring following the devastating earthquake, remained in second place this past Spring. Japan moved up to the #3 position following the March 11th Tsunami, and Israel, which was in 15th place two years ago, has moved up to the top five. To learn more about where people want to go on mission trips and what activities they want to be involved in, go to

 

http://www.mdat.org/reports

 

(Thanks David!!! God bless you!!!)

4) Short-Term Mission Trip Assessment Tool —

Here’s a new tool to help churches and ministries discern if they should send a short-term mission team. Have you ever wondered if your church or ministry should send a short-term mission (STM) team? With all the needs and all the opportunities, how do you know where to go and what to do? Recognizing that many churches and ministries wrestle with determining which STMs to promote and move forward with, DELTA Ministries International (DELTA) has recently released the Short-Term Mission Trip Assessment Tool.  This assessment has been broken into three major categories of consideration: Calling, Stewardship and Quality.  Within each category include critical assessments for your STM derived from the Word of God, experience, as well as the Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission (SOE).  Along with the STM Assessment Tool, you will receive a free supplement guide. It will provide insight needed to assess your church and mission trip objectively as well as provide a target to work towards as you develop your short-term mission sending program.  Visit

 

http://www.deltaministries.com

 

to obtain your unlimited use license.

1 2 3 … 8  Scroll to top