Answering the critics
Q: Is it cost effective to be sending out summer teams? Are we seeing results sufficient enough to justify the expense?
A: That depends on the prices you put on the human soul and spiritual growth in disciples. When is the price too high to see someone saved? When is the price to high to proclaim the gospel? How much is spiritual growth worth?
Q: It cost $15,000 to send a mission team to work one or two weeks with a missionary on the field who happens to be under-supported. Wouldn’t it be a wiser use of the Lord’s money to further support the full-time missionaries on the field who are there year-round than to fund teams who can do so little in such a short time?
A: This question makes a HUGE assumption that if there was no summer mission team, the $15,000 would be sitting in the church bank account awaiting some other use. The one asking the question is not considering how the summer mission team got its money. Just where do summer missionaries get their support from? If the church covers the whole $15,000 from the church budget, then this becomes a credible question about the church budget. However, I have run into few summer teams where the sending church footed the whole bill.
Most summer teams raise most, if not all, of the funds they need for the trip. In churches that allow fundraisers, the team members do a lot of work raising money for their trip. In both churches I have served in, the church constitutions forbade fund-raisers of any kind. If the church gave money to summer missions, it was less than 10% of the total trip price and came from the Mission Fund. If the total trip price was $15,000, the Missions committee might, or might not, give up to $1500. The rest of the money came from support letters and out of the summer missionaries’ pockets.
The critic who charges, “It’s not the best stewardship of the Lord’s money!” fails to realize that without the summer missionaries raising the funds, there would be no $15,000. Fundraisers would not be held to generate extra support money for full-time missionaries. Even if they were, how many people would buy popcorn, candy bars, pizzas, calendars, or candles to help support “our under-supported missionary”? How many of the youth’s friends, neighbors, school teachers, and extended family would respond to a support letter requesting funds for a new or current missionary in their church? How many youth are going to give their birthday and Christmas money to the full-time missionary?
To sum it up: there would be no $15,000 if there was no summer team.
The person that raises such a question speaks out of ignorance. Some inquirers truly want to know the answer. Others are asking out of the self-imposed ignorance based upon their own presupposition that summer missionary teams are ineffective, a waste of time and money, and distract the full-time servant from his more important and more effective ministry. While there may be many summer teams that fit the stereotype that feeds this self-imposed ignorance and resulting critical attitude, hopefully by this point in the book, you can see that not all summer teams are the bumbling misfits that such critics presume is true of all teams.
Q: Are summer teams effective in reaching unreached people groups?
A: Yes and no. Obviously, we can’t send a team to an unreached tribal group in New Guinea or Brazil that no missionary is working with. That would be foolish. To be honest, I have never heard of anyone offering such a mission trip to churches.
Summer missionaries can’t do frontier, first contact type of ministry with an unreached people group. That means there isn’t any full time missionary or national Christian to work with. That means there won’t be a translator for the team. The people will know little or nothing about God, Jesus, or the Bible. The team will know nothing about the culture. So, the answer is “No” to trying to reach such an unreached people group.
However, the Albainian Muslim Kosovars are still an unreached people group. Yet, God used summer missionaries to reach some with the gospel of Christ. So, yes, they can be effective in reaching unreached people groups. But, to do so, they most likely will have to work with full time missionaries or national Christians among that people group. Since the summer missionaries are only going to be there a short time, someone that knows the culture needs to guide the team across cultural differences and into whatever their ministry will be. The Kosovo missionary had been in that region for three years after a stint in Albania. He had a plan as to how to best use the summer missionaries.
Therefore, in some cases where the ground of the unreached people group has already been prepared, a summer team can be very effective.
Q: Is it good for a summer team to reach people with the gospel when they have no one to follow them up?
A: I am always amazed at this question. Every time I have been asked it, the questioner already believes the answer should be a definitive “No!” Yet, we hear stories all the time about someone sharing the gospel with a stranger on the airplane and leading them to Christ. But never do we hear the speaker criticized afterwards for the lack of a follow-up program in place for that new believer. While it is always preferable to have follow-up in place for new Christians, we cannot refuse to evangelize just because there is no follow-up in place.
In Mark 5, Jesus takes His disciples on a mission trip across the Sea of Galilee to the land of the Gerasenes. They encounter the man possessed by a legion of demons. Jesus cast them into the swine. Afterwards, this newly saved man wants to go with them back to Galilee. But Jesus tells him he can’t come. He is to go back to his home town and tell people the great things the Lord has done for him.
Then Jesus and the disciples hop back into the boat and leave him there as the only Christian in the land. There was no follow up. Worse yet, Jesus doesn’t even seem to be concerned about it.
Who followed up on the Ethiopian eunuch? Phillip sure didn’t. The Holy Spirit snatched Phillip away immediately after baptizing the man.
Read the gospels and Acts. Not everyone saved is followed up with a discipleship program. Apparently, we are to realize that God can and will take care of His children, even if there is no follow-up.
It’s amazing to me that while the angels rejoice in heaven whenever a sinner is saved, some on earth won’t rejoice unless there is also a follow-up program in place. In reality, most that object to summer mission evangelism without follow-up also object to the whole idea of summer missions. For, even if there is a follow-up program in place, they then just shift their objection and express doubt that anyone really got saved. “They just prayed with you to be polite.”
Don’t we wish everyone in our churches would be out sharing the gospel with people? Does everyone in your church have a follow-up program handy or in mind?
Jesus and the disciples often didn’t have follow-up available. And they still proclaimed the gospel. So should we, both locally and on the summer mission trip.
Q: How can a summer mission team hope to be effective in such a short time? The missionaries work for years to build relationships and you think your team can come for a week or two and really reach people with the gospel?
A: How is it that teens can go all year without a date and then in one week at camp, find their true love? Two reasons: One, there is a lot more free time to be together on a daily basis. Two: both know they only have one week to get to know each other and make decisions. The whole relationship building process is sped up considerably. Openness with each other isn’t such a risk because if it doesn’t work out, you go your separate ways at the end of the week and the rest of the world never knew you were dabbling with love.
On the summer mission trip, the relationship building process is sped up. Both the nationals and the summer missionaries know they are only together for a short time. People around the world are curious about foreigners. Most never get an opportunity to meet and get to know a foreigner. Some don’t want to meet the foreigners. Others do. Even when they find out you are Christians, those others will often ask questions and open up because they know you aren’t going to be around long to pester them for showing some interest. Maybe they can get some answers to spiritual questions they’ve been afraid to approach and ask the missionary or national pastor.
The missionary on the field is often amazed at how quickly team members can delve into personal issues and spiritual discussions with people that have always held him at arm’s length. The neighbors all know the missionary. Showing too much hospitality or interest toward the missionary could bring unwanted scrutiny upon the national. However, everyone knows these summer team members are only here a short time. Having them over for a couple of hours each day or for a couple of nights in a row won’t raise any serious concerns.
Summer teams can hit a ministry hard for a week or two at a pace that cannot be maintained by the full-time missionary or national pastor. When in Lima, Peru, Pastor Heli worked a regular job during the week. He couldn’t spend eight hours a day canvassing the neighborhood. When we gave him the 100+ follow-up cards, there was indicated on them everything from “prayed to receive Christ”, to “saved but don’t have a church”, to “just wanted prayer for specific needs”, to “unsaved but agreed to have the pastor come visit”. To get that many follow-up cards, the team visited three to four hundred homes over the course of ten days.
How long would it have taken Pastor Heli to visit four hundred homes? He and his congregation had a lot of work to do with the follow-up cards. And, as Chapter 3 explained, this partnership with summer missionaries proved to be very effective for Christ and that local church.
Finally, the question has behind it a bit of doubt that summer missionaries can ever reach someone with the gospel. So, here’s a good place to review Basic Theology 101: Missionaries don’t save people. Summer missionaries don’t save people. God saves people in His own time. Faith comes by hearing the gospel. Whoever happens to be the one sharing the gospel at that divinely appointed time doesn’t matter. All God needs is someone who will be His spokesman at that moment. Sometimes that someone is a summer missionary speaking through a translator. Is it really that hard to believe God does that?
Doubt less. Criticize less. Praise God more. And go somewhere and share the gospel!
Questions from others who have heard of our program
What 4 or 5 major activities would a new Youth Pastor engage in when exploring the possibility of taking a youth group onto the field?
1) Why do you, Youth Pastor, want to take your group to the field? Are you capable of equipping and leading the group and the adult lay leaders? Can you confidently give a clear gospel presentation if called upon to do so? "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained will be like his teacher." --Luke 6:40 If your motivation for going on a mission trip is askew, so will your team's motivation. If you are not equipped for the ministry on the field, neither will be your team. If you can't share the gospel clearly, you can't teach the team nor lead evangelistic efforts on the field. You will model how to avoid evangelism which will communicate that it is not important to try to reach the lost.
2) Clearly define what discipleship goals will be reached by taking a mission trip. Be able to explain why these goals can only be reached through a costly mission trip rather than some other (little or no cost) means locally. I say "only" because if your discipleship goals can be accomplished locally, why should you waste the Lord's money and lay leaders' vacation time on something you could have accomplished in your Jerusalem? Hopping on the "mission trip fad" as a new and exciting experience for the youth is a very poor reason for taking a group on a mission trip.
3) Make sure you have support from church leadership and parents. Your first try at this will raise doubts and opposition from some people who will have no problem in voicing their opinion. You are unproven in this area. So it is expected. As long as the leadership and parents of those going are behind you, the nay-sayers will be blowing in the wind.
4) Evaluate the spiritual maturity and ministry skill levels of your youth and find a trip that is a good "fit" for where they are. If the youth have little or no interest in evangelism, then do not take them on a trip that is designed to have a lot of evangelistic outreaches. Take them on a trip that is primarily a work project with a VBS and has an evening program with a speaker to challenge the youth in their faith. However, your discipleship goal for this year should be to build into them so that they are prepared for a more evangelistic trip the next year.
5) Find a summer mission agency, compatible theologically, who can provide you the type of trip your team needs. If you have never done a trip before, you need an agency that can set up everything for you for one price. Know what you are looking for (#4 above) before you get on the phone with agencies. You need to learn about mission trip realities before launching out on a trip you design on your own. Take advantage of the experience and help agencies can provide to make your first trip a great one. Be sure to ask questions regarding which direction the agency leans theologically, particularly regarding issues that separate charismatic from non-charismatic churches.
What 4 or 5 major activities might a new or experienced Youth Pastor engage in when assessing which trip to take, which enabling organizations to use and all the details of the trip? For example, holding an informational meeting with interested students and parents, or deciding on a trip cost.
1) Find out what other adults are willing to go as leaders. Unless your team is very small, you are going to need other adult leaders. If you can't get them, you won't be going. So, find out who is willing and how much time they have to give to the trip. Some have one week, some two. This will determine what length of trip you can take. Find out where these adults are willing to go and where they aren't willing to go. For example, not everyone is willing to fly. Some won't leave the U.S.
2) Compare different summer mission agencies' trips. This goes beyond just comparing cost. What seems to be the agency's main ministry goal for teams? Some just want teams for construction projects and give a vague quip about "some opportunities for evangelism". Some, by saying "evangelistic outreaches" really mean you'll be doing a VBS. Find out about field accommodations, meals, dress codes, and a typical daily schedule on the field. Are there translators provided? Will there be enough translators to ensure your team can minister all day each day? Will there be an evening program with a worship leader and speaker? What are the "hidden" costs? A typical surprise is that the price does not include three meals a day. The advertised price may not include in-country transportation. Pay attention to what is NOT said as the agency tries to sell itself to you.
3) As you look for a trip that "fits" your group's discipleship needs, keep in mind that the price and location must not go beyond the faith level of the congregation. Mission trips help the whole church body grow in their faith, not just the team members. If you are a new youth pastor...and especially if the youth have never taken a trip before....Even if your youth run all the church's children programs and evangelistic outreaches, the congregation probably will not agree to let you take them to Pakistan for three weeks this summer at a cost of $3500 per person. A week in inner-city Philadelphia for $400 may be all you can do this first time out. Be patient and remember God opens and closes the doors (and check books) according to His will.
4) Consider having more than one trip to meet different discipleship goals. This assumes you are not new to mission trips and have clearly defined goals. A 14 year-old first timer probably is not ready for the ministry challenges a 17 year-old with three trips' experience is looking for. The weakness of most church's summer missions programs is that they have just one trip. And since there are usually more first time 14 year-olds than 17 year-old three-trip veterans, the trip is kept at the first-timer's level and most of the multiple-trip veterans lose interest in going to do the same old basic thing again.
5) Promote the trip(s) and hold an informational meeting for interested youth and their parents. Prior to the meeting, send out the trip information to all youth. This should have the where, what we'll do, and how much for each trip. The informational meeting should go over a handout that covers all the information about the trip(s), costs, preparation material, team meetings, and expectations of team members.
What kind of top-level activities will a Youth Pastor engage in after committing to a trip and before you take the trip? For example, lead training sessions to prepare students to reach out to the locals. Also, what post trip activities might you engage in?
1) Include the "nay-sayers" as part of your prayer warriors. Always ask the nay-sayers to pray for you and the team that God's strength will over-ride your and the team's weaknesses. Get a "yes" out of them. Then be sure to thank them for the prayers after the trip and relate how God answered them. They won't be as vocal the second year. Just continue to solicit the nay-sayers as your misson trip prayer warriors. Remember, most nay-sayers are just weak in faith when it comes to things "we've never done before".
2) Leave out the site-seeing and day off pictures from the presentation to the church. The last thing you need to do is invite more criticism to summer missions. Since the day off activity is usually at the end of the trip, the typical blunder is show a dozen or more pictures of the kids living it up at the beach or amusement park. The highlight of the presentation, the "saving the best for last", ends up being the play time. Keep the presentation on the ministry the church sent you out to do. Have a separate showing to the team that includes all the play pictures.
3) Determine the preparation material and team meeting schedule. You should have six months of time for the team to prepare itself. An effective servant of God must spend time in His Word. Select Bible study material or devotional guides that require some writing as they read the Word. Have completion dates and check the material to keep accountability. Map out meetings for ministry training time. Some of this should be "live" on-the-job training in real ministry situations. Take the team to homes or shelters. Hold your own youth outreach event. Take them somewhere to hand out tracts and/or do street evangelism.
4) After the trip, point them to their mission field back home: Their schools. You can plug a few of them in somewhere helping on Sunday mornings. However, if that’s all you point them to, you'll help create the next bunch of adults in the church that do all of their ministry only at the church. Mission trips show youth they can enjoy serving God all day long in a variety of ways. On the way back from the trip, discuss how they can do that back home where they spend most of their days...which is at school. It may be something as basic as just a once-a-week before school prayer meeting. That's a great way to get momentum for "See You at the Pole". Then recruit others that show up at SYAP to continue to meet. The prayer group could turn into a student-led Bible study. They could start a Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle, or plug into and revive a struggling Christian group that already meets at the school, giving it new vision and ideas to reach out to the school. Help students to see other openings for ministry...such as in writing assignments in just about any class - English, journalism, sociology, psychology, or the sciences. Don't forget speech class and speech contests. Have them hold their own student-run outreaches that aren't officially a part of your church. Example: hold their own Super Bowl party with an evangelistic presentation at half-time. The same could be done with the March Madness Finals. Yes, use these fired up youth in your own youth program outreaches, but the bigger impact will happen if they are viewing their school as a mission field they must reach with the gospel.
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