The question of whether short-term mission trips are really worth the time and money is constantly debated in mission circles. Is short-term really just glorified Christian tourism? Wouldn't it be better if we took all the money spent on short-term trips and donated it to the field? Doesn't having to host short-term teams keep missionaries from their real work? Are short-term trips more harmful than helpful in the long run?

For us at Operation Mobilization, the answer to these questions is a resounding NO! We believe that short-term teams from local churches have a vital contribution to make to the ministry on the field, to the growth of those who go and to the spiritual life of the sending church. Short-term trips are a key component of long-term partnerships!

Here are some testimonies, in their own words, from church members/leaders who participated in a short-term outreach this year and from OM field leadership who hosted these teams. These are just a few of the 50 short-term church teams that our Church Mobilization staff worked with this year. We are thankful to God for all He has done in and through these church teams.

Would your church like to partner together in 2014 to mobilize your people to reach the unreached and marginalized? We are ready to serve you and join together to accelerate the Good News of Jesus Christ to the nations. Click here to start your journey. 

Church Members:

• "God moved in mighty ways during our outreach. At least 36 people made decisions to follow Christ." (California church to Merceron, Haiti)
• "Our team served over 1350 adults and children at 6 medical clinics, prayer and counseling was also done. Many Hindu's and Muslims heard the gospel during our trip." (Georgia church to Rae Bareli, India)
• "The mission never stops. I had the joy of leading my friend to Christ the day after we arrived back in California." (California church to Hungary)
• "The highlight for me was seeing God at work in the village church we visited. This church did not exist 5 months ago, normally has 20-25 in attendance, and we were able to see 80 people come to the service." (Georgia church to Moth, India)
• "God called me to go into full time mission work with Muslims!" (Texas church to London)

Church Leader:

• "The preparation materials were also excellent. We worked through all the Bible studies, Evangelism, Cultural, and Re-Entry studies as a team." (California church to Haiti)
• "We want to see this develop into a long-term partnership between our church and OM." (Florida church to Turkey)
• "We are excited to form a long term relationship with OM Costa Rica. We fit really well with them, and they have needs that our church can help fill." (Maryland church to Costa Rica)
• "I saw God motivate our team to work together for the benefit of those we served. I saw God give strength when team members were tired. I saw God present himself in joyful camaraderie of the church." (Illinois church to Panama) 

Field Leader: 

• "This team opened the door for so many new people from other faiths to know Jesus as their personal Savior." (India)
• "The team was there on a survey trip to see what potential partnership could be developed. From this perspective, I believe they were more than successful in both experiencing what God is doing but also sitting with the right people to map out a way forward." (Zambia)

Full-service short-term mission trips

OM provides a one-stop, turn-key service to connect your church to impactful short-term mission trips!

• Dedicated trip liaison
• Trip planning (location, dates, cost information and ministry options)
• Communication with your trip location
• Trip preparation materials (Bible studies, evangelism, cultural issues, re-entry, support-raising)
• Ministry Training at your church (if requested)
• Streamlined process (online applications)
• Trip logistics (Finances, visas, travel arrangements, if applicable)
• OM Trip Facilitator (if requested)
• Post-trip evaluation process (online)