Short-Term Missions: Why, How, When, For Whom

Short-termers are people who go into a cross-cultural ministry for five months or less, and who consider this a vital step in preparing for a missionary career or life at home as a World Christian. Most often, goals for short-termers include serving God in the ministry of missions, learning first-hand what missions really is all about, and determining if God is calling them into full-time Christian service.

Requirements

• Active and obvious commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Willingness to serve as career cross-cultural disciple-maker, if God so leads.
• Have been a member of Bethlehem at least one year prior to date of departure, or are newer member with a clear intention of returning to Bethlehem for an extended period of time.
• Approval by parents for candidates under 18 for short-term trips of 1-11 weeks, and at least high school graduate for short-term trips of 3-5 months. Those not yet college graduates are strongly urged to participate on a team (either Bethlehem or non-Bethlehem) or in a ministry with a current Bethlehem missionary.
• Proven ministry experience commensurate to the proposed short-term assignment.
• Proven competence in specific area of assignment.
• Personal and spiritual maturity sufficient to the proposed assignment.
• Strong recommendations from church leaders in his/her area of service.
• Acceptance by a mission agency approved by Bethlehem.
• Pre-field orientation and preparation from the agency and/or church.

Read the full short-term missions policy.