Pre-Trip Missions strategy

Recently, I was asked to formulate a rationale for doing pre-trips before you take a Short-Term Missions team somewhere in the country or the world. Here is what I came up with:

1. There are things that can and do happen in a partnership in ministry/short term trip that can not be anticipated by emails and phone calls.
An example of this was recently on a pre-trip to Mexico we saw the “red light” district where teenagers were going to walk with evangelistic materials and share their faith with people. As we drove down the street where scantily clad prostitutes were pursuing cars and people walking – we determined that was not a place we wanted teens to see or experience and we were grateful we could make that determination before the trip.

2. There are conversations regarding vision and strategy that can occur with Missions partners without the pressure of leading a team.
Another example – recently we were able to have conversations with a Missions partner and then tailor our short term trip to meet their needs more effectively. Instead of a clean up project we ran a program for children. I think it would have been more difficult to assess those needs and make adjustments prior to the trip without talking to them first hand and seeing the environment where they are doing ministry.

3. It is important to have research and development happen before we go to a place where Corinth has not taken a team.
We have set a precedent for this by doing pre-trips to Chicago, Newark, and Tijuana. We had built this into those trip budgets. We will not have to do this every year- unless the leadership or environment changes where we choose to send a team.

4. A lot of this has to do with our vision for missions.
That is, we're not simply relying on an agency to coordinate everything.The leaders are not just along for the ride with participants. They are part of integrating the mission vision in to the cross –cultural spiritual formation vision. Thus, we require more input than Pastors who utilize (and pay more per trip) an agency to take care of everything.

Essentially, we're saying: Before leading a large group of people somewhere, we want to scout out the land, look into our hosts' eyes, hear their heart and be sure we have the same vision for what our people are going to experience. We don’t believe you can do that without a pre-trip.

How old do you feel?

Our oldest daughter is 24 today. I woke up feeling ready to tackle a new day and wondered how old you feel? People say you are as old as you feel, so if today is an indication of that I am not much older than my daughter :).

Our weekend: Friday night was a date night meeting with the Webster's in Holland. Catching up with one of the guys that lead me to Christ and taught me early lessons on how to walk with the Lord - good times! We hope to be with them again here in the near future.
Saturday was chores and getting ready for Adoption awareness Sunday at Corinth. We are having booths from our international partners and domestic partners while praying for the families in our church that are waiting for a child. Sunday was a great time of connecting with the adoption families and agencies @ Corinth - a nap, then Life Together groups after worship with Resonate!!

Can I blog more than I did in 2006?

My goal today is to see if I can blog more than I did in 2006. I only blogged 3 times that year and nothing in 2007. I have one entry in January so I thought I might catch you up a little.

I haven't been on the treadmill much this year - but I have run most every week at least 1 time. I have an Elder at Corinth who runs and so we have been getting out 3 or 4 miles on the weekend. I also have a Youth Pastor friend who runs with me too.

I have been consistently in a book study with a man who holds me accountable in my relationship with the Lord. I am loving my wife more and more as each day passes! I have struggled to care for our girls while they are 2,000 miles away in CA.

I also have changed jobs at Corinth this year. In August, I went from directing Children and Student ministries to becoming the Pastor of Spiritual Life (mostly about small groups) and Missions. Jann and I are excited about the growth potential in these arenas of ministry and looking forward to new friendships and ministry partnerships!

I also this fall returned to the basketball court. I know for some who have known me are fearful of how this might turn out. I am praying that laying off for my 40's will have made me realize the limitations of my skill and just have fun!

I hope to return to discuss other issues as this year comes to an end.


Kev