Your Questions Answered – The Heart for Short-Term Mission
posted by Navigators on July 1st, 2025 in Missions
David and Julie McIntosh have been labouring with the Australian Navigators for over a decade, leading our Short Term Missions ministry for some years during that time. We asked them:
What are some characteristics of a helpful posture as we consider serving and not hindering the long-term ministries we seek to serve?
Short term mission is a privilege. Preparing our heart and posture is just as important as any programs, skills or resources we take with us.
We are guests within a culture, within ministries, homes and communities. We are invited in, embracing the “different” things as grateful visitors (Eph 4:1-3). As humble guests, we are ready to be flexible and expect that we will learn from those we seek to serve.
We are encouragers, seeking to bless the long-term labourers and local believers we meet (Heb 10:23-25). So often, those serving on the mission field do so with very little affirmation. What a privilege it is to have the opportunity to change that, even if only for a season!
Jesus took on the nature of a servant for the sake of God’s kingdom (Phil 2:3-4). As we engage in short-term mission, remember that we do so in service of the gospel, not for our own agendas or encouragement. Sometimes this may involve relieving locals from the tedious or messy jobs.
We go with a consistent posture of prayer. (Phil 1:3-6). Jesus Himself set an example of consistent prayer amidst His ministry (Mark 1:35). It is the Spirit of God at work through us which transforms our words and actions in Kingdom work.
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Featured image of people walking towards a village by Evan Wise on Unsplash.