The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip

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Summary: This book is a valuable tool for first-time trip planners!
Review: In writting "The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip," David C. Forward has generously provided first-time trip planners with a comprehensive and detail-filled resource. I would recommend it to any congregation that is looking for a "manual" that will get them started and see them through their first trip.

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Summary: For Missions Team Leaders
Review: Maybe you are a missions pastor teaching a class on short-term missions and are looking for a textbook, or you are leading a team overseas. You might be going on your first trip and want to know how to approach the whole matter.

"The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip" by David C. Forward explains with examples the sorts of things which those in missions leadership at a church should be thinking about.

The points made in this book could avert disasters. What good is spending a lot of money to go overseas only to find you've no idea what you've got yourself into? While it is true that having a flexible personality is key to any missions effort, it is also a good idea to prepare when possible.

Some readers may cringe at the strategic sensibility of David Forward. "The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip" is all about practical thinking. St. Paul prepared practically for his trips. He knew where he was going, how long it would take, and how much food to being along. Forward helps think like Paul.

Noting that many going on the trip may be first time short-termers, or first time airplane riders, he discusses travel tips. For example, bring a spare pair of glasses, remember to bring a list of people you intend to write (Like your supporters), and how to deal with lost luggage. He even outlines how to run a team meeting, with suggestions for topics.

He spends time on the complex matter of money, and how support should be raised, and what a church's financial involvement should be. He is not dogmatic, but points out the pro's and con's of the various positions.

Forward's missions experience has taken him primarily from Britain to Romania, with stopovers in Budapest. He cites from this experiences fluently, and helps the reader see how the essentials in this guide can be applied. He gives anecdotes about cultural sensitivity, like how in Romania, the real Dracula is considered a national hero for reasons other than what Bram Stoker's novel talks about. Jokes, Forward writes, about the morbid side of Dracula are unappreciated by locals.

The appendices are useful, helping the reader think through the incidentals. Some things, like having calling card codes and travel insurance numbers with you, should not be overlooked.

I fully recommend this excellent tool for preparing a team for short-term missions. For a solid text helping the sender church, see "Serving as Senders" by Neal Pirolo.

Anthony Trendl

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Summary: A FABULOUS Resource!
Review: This is the best book ever written on short term missions. It helped me organize our teams and we gave one copy to each team member for their own planning. It covers the spiritual basis and logistical requirements, it tells us about mistakes others have made so we can focus in being true missionaries.