Did you know that short-term mission volunteers have been serving in cross-cultural settings around the globe for over fifty years?  Did you know that over 900 volunteers  register with IM to go on short-term mission opportunities every year?

God has called many to all corners of the globe, in open and close settings, for two weeks and up to two years to serve alongside long-term global servants and/or IM partners in Africa, Asia, Europe, Iberoamerica and the Middle East. Volunteers, pastors, former team leaders, pastors contact the Short-Term Mission office to register, ask clarifying questions about forms needed or to help plan a trip. There is a tremendous amount of planning by the volunteers, the sending churches, us at IM and the hosts to navigate.

One important key component is the fact that all adult volunteers must process a background check as part of the registration process with STM.  https://www.ministryopportunities.org/Details.aspx?oid=19161  In light of sensitive ministries and areas volunteers will be serving in, the background checks protect all concerned. More and more hosts have asked that volunteers be cleared before they depart the US.                                                                                                     A second important key component is the pre-trip orientation process teams and volunteers can take advantage of that is offered (via Zoom, conference call or in person). The STM team utilizes “Going with God”  manual written by Rev.Ann E.C. Borquist. The STM team facilitates post-trip de-briefings with volunteers as well as budget planning, fundraising ideas, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance coverage, articles and online video resources to address cross-cultural understanding, and spiritual accompaniment. Going on a short-term mission trip is not as simple as purchasing an airline ticket. It takes emotional, spiritual and physical preparation to follow Jesus on the mission field.

Anyone hearing God’s call, nudge and/or whisper to serve on short-term mission opportunities and who registers with STM, is accompanied by over 85 years of knowledge and skills. The STM team has in its midst, retired long-term missionaries (Asia & Caribbean) serving as Special Assistants, a part-time administrator with short-term mission experiences in Africa,Asia and Europe, four special special assistants from Great Rivers, MI, West Virginia and NY with extensive team leadership mission experiences, Special Assistants to specific Area Directors, from various ABC regions, with yearly missional team leadership, an MK who has lived in Africa, Europe and Americas and led short-term missions for decades in the US and abroad. Except for the IM Staff, all Special Assistants volunteer their time. Preparing volunteers to serve in the “Samaria” of the world, with all tribes, is a humble honor. The STM office has been accredited with the Standards of Excellence since 2009, and follows strict guidelines, to facilitate the process of hearing, going, serving and being better followers of Christ.

If you hear God’s call to go and serve throughout the nations, reached and unreached people and tribes, do contact the STM team at volunteers@internationalministries.org or call 610-768-2168. We will be happy to answer your questions, discern with you the call to serve, help you with the registration paperwork and more. We are blessed to share in the ministry of presence with you, following the 7 standards of excellence. It is a code of best practice for short-term mission sending agencies put together by SOE, Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission accreditation agency (www.soe.org) God weaves us all together for Kingdom building.