It can be confusing, finding where to plug in to missions - and navigating the maze of missionary opportunities that are out there. If you are a student, chances are you have a long summer break during which you can get involved in some short-term summer missions. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
- Check out the the many missionary societies offering short-term missions opportunities.
- Talk to your church leadership - homegroup leader or pastoral elder, Logos core team or a member of the missions team.
- Save money! Missions cost. Time and cash. You need to save during the year, or raise some support to be able to take time off to serve. But remember not all missions cost a lot for you to go. There are plenty of beach missions, youth camps, etc available in the UK - possibly even in the town where you live...
- Pray! Where does God want you to go? Mongolia or Margate? Aberdeen or Zimbabwe?
- Are there others in your church or CU with whom you can form a group to go? Previous teams from Carrubbers have gone to Mozambique, Romania, Mexico, Latvia...
In Carrubbers, any member of the missions team will be happy to talk to you more about this or put you in contact with other people who can help you consider missions - short term or longer term.
Questions you need to ask yourself
- Am I spiritually prepared to go?
Have I "kept the faith"? How is my "Quiet Time" and prayer life? It might be helpful to talk to your pastor or small group leader for example.
- Am I physically prepared to go?
This will vary according to where you are planning to go, but remember that a developing world placement might have a more physically demanding schedule.
- Am I financially prepared to go?
Have I been careful enough with money to go, or will this just send me deeper into debt?
- Am I psychologically prepared to go?
In some places you may come across extreme poverty, disease or danger. You must be prepared for this. Take advice from those who have gone before, and pray much.
- Am I prepared to GO?
What if God calls me to long-term full-time mission? Can I face giving up the luxuries of life in the West? Am I prepared to say "Here I am, Lord, send me!"? Only you can answer this. Short-term missions projects can give you an excellent "taster" for missionary life - but bear in mind that God may call you to give your life to it!
