They say time is of the essence. No time like the present, others say. Planning your short-term mission takes preparation; it takes time. While there may be occasions when a mission effort can be pulled together quickly, most often the preparation requires many months. No rigid timeline exists for short-term missions, but there are some general steps that allow a team to prepare well in advance in order to maximize the impact of the team with the strategy of the host missionary. Here is a suggested timeline that can be used as a guide:
- 10 to 12 months prior—determine assignment
- 9 months prior—determine team leader(s)
- 9 months prior—publicize mission effort
- 6 to 9 months prior—recruit team/receive volunteers, deposit due
- 6 to 9 months prior—contact travel agent to begin searching ticket prices
- 6 to 9 months prior—schedule initial info meeting, collect bi-monthly or quarterly payments
- 6 months prior—apply for passport and check requirement for visas
- 6 months prior—plan team meetings and meet monthly to discuss general mission prep
- 3 to 4 months prior—purchase plane tickets
- 3 to 4 months prior—get immunizations (shots!) if necessary
- 3 to 4 months prior—team meetings should become more specialized according to what the team will be doing on the field
- 2 months prior—develop prayer team
- 4 weeks prior—plan commissioning service for team
- 1 week prior—hold commission service
- 1 week or month after—plan celebration time with team and/or church
Preparing well allows us to go with a plan and then once there to go with the flow. We trust that God uses our planning, but we also go knowing that the Lord will direct our steps and guide our ways for gospel advancement.
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