Aug 13
Christianity.ca – Two Weeks Overseas
This was an article I was interviewed for in response to Short Term Missions preparation
Jul 10
If you are a mid-termer – individuals who have worked in a cross-cultural setting for one month to one year – I would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to help out others planning a mid-term experience themselves.
Click here to take this survey to provide valuable feedback for others as they prepare. You can also navigate there from the Surveys link at the top of this page.
Thanks
Thanks!
Jun 26
Did you notice the new link at the top of the page?
a) what link?
b) yes, and I already clicked
c) not interested
d) I never do web surveys …
Anyways, if you are still wondering what this post is about … look up at the title bar and there, somewhere right of ‘About Mark’, lies the new addition – ‘Take the Survey’. Click it and you will be brought to a short 10 question survey.
May 30
When it comes to international work, many novices feel that good intentions and a positive outlook are all that is necessary to accomplish great methods and outcomes. While intentions and positivity re very, very important … there are other necessary considerations to keep in mind when planning an international team experience.
A tool I have used for many years is the very helpful EFC Code of Best Practices. The code helps to set a minimum standard of preparation for teams and individuals engaging in international mission.
When I began training, and then later found this resource, I realised I was sadly lacking in many areas. I started small, worked on improving what I was doing well, as well as adding the most important elements I realized I was missing at the time.
Check them out for yourself, examine your own preparation process against the standards, and email or call me for assistance if you want to begin better preparation!
Section 1: Aims and Objectives
1.1 A Short-Term Mission program will have a defined purpose within Christian mission.
1.2 A Short-Term Mission program will have clear and realistic aims and objectives, which include viability, expectations of outcomes, and consideration of how the program serves the long-term objectives of all those involved.
1.3 The benefits to, and responsibilities of, the participant, the sending organization, the sending local church, the host organization and the host local church will be clearly defined and communicated.
1.4 Partnerships will be established, as far as possible, with host local churches and communities. These relationships, in the context of unity love, will be defined in terms of agreed-upon priorities, ownership, and expectations.
1.5 Appropriate sending local church involvement will be sought. A partnership will be developed, as far as is feasible, between the agency, participant and sending local church.
1.6 There will be a commitment to the participant to provide opportunities for personal and spiritual development throughout the experience.
Continue reading »
May 14
Travellers are well aware that Heathrow in London, England is often the hub through which you connect to the rest of the world. Often the stopover is several hours, or a day. What do you do with a short term mission team? Several team leaders and friends have asked my advice on how to spend the day in London, here is the itinerary I put together … enjoy your next Stopover!
Apr 22
Here is an audio copy of a debriefing session I was teaching to a group in Saskatchewan. The audio quality is a little shaky, but the message does come through … if you are working with a short term mission team this should be helpful for you.
check out others at the podcast page.
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