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8/8/2019 MOTH - Fall - 10


More than ever before, young people are participating

in short-term mission trips to help the underprivileged.

This is a relatively new phenomenon as the first

short-term mission trips were formed roughly 50 years

ago with only a handful of ministries offering this type of

trip. Only in the past 30 years has there been a real growth

in the options available for

short-term mission work.

In fact, the number of peopletaking part in short-term

mission trips is growing at a

remarkable rate. According

to “Open Mic: Short-Term

Mission Trips” (Intermonk.

com), estimates today range from one to four million North

Americans taking short-term mission trips every year. In the

United States alone, approximately one million individuals

undertake a mission trip of less than two weeks each year

(Students on a mission: FAITH IN ACTION).

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect pertaining to the growthin overall short-term mission participation is the number of

young people involved in the effort. Based on a national

random survey, sociologist Christian Smith reports that 29

percent of all 13- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. have “gone

on a religious missions team or religious service project,”

with ten percent having gone on such trips three or more

times.

So what is the driving force behind the increase in the

number of young people taking part in short-term

mission trips? Part of this trend can be attributed to

living in the information age. Traditional mass media (TV,

radio, newspapers) and the Internet deliver images and

information highlighting the level of despair and

destitution rampant in many third world counties. With

greater access to this information than any generation

before them, teenagers today are more aware of the plight

facing many outside of

their own communities and

countries. Such knowledge

has created a greater senseof responsibility, which is

inspiring more and more

people to become positive

agents of change.

However, the more significant reasons behind the increase

in young people participating in short-term mission work

lies beyond mere access to information. Short-term mission

trip participants often feel a deeper sense of empathy and

understanding during their work. They are able to see

first-hand that other countries and cultures are different,

and that other people have different ways of looking at life.

While short-term mission work can instill a sense of

appreciation for how people in other parts of the world are

different from them, it also leads to a better understanding

of what everyone has in common. People living in poverty

have the same feelings, hopes, and desires as those who do

not. Despite cultural differences, participants often learn

they have more in common with those they are serving than

they first realized.

Matters of the Heart Fall 2010

Today’s Youth Driving Growth

in Short-Term Mission Work

While short-term mission work can instill

a sense of appreciation for how people inother parts of the world are different from

them, it also leads to a better understanding

of what everyone has in common.

by Matt Meigs

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Dear Friends of Amor,

As you know, Amor has

been sending missionarieson short-term mission trips

into Mexico for 30 years!

Boy, has the time flown by!

With our recent expansion

to South Africa and the San

Carlos Apache Reservation,

we are fulfilling our vision of

sending missionaries to make disciples of all nations,

just as we are called to do in the Great Commission.

Recently, Gayla and I were able to join some

participants as they built a home on an Amor MissionTrip in South Africa. It is so exciting to be able to

work alongside groups in the mission field and see

lives being transformed. We were able to talk with

participants on the field who are just learning the

joy of working for God and others. I love seeing

this happen! I am excited that we are sharing Anna

Taft’s story of how her Amor Mission Trips shaped her

passions in our Beyond the Field article. It drives me

to tell more and more people about what Amor is

doing. Check out the Group Leader Corner to be

challenged in this as well.

As we gear up for our 30th Anniversary Celebration

Dinners in October, we are constantly being reminded

of how thankful we are for our donors, participants,

and supporters. I want to personally invite you to

the events. We would love to see you there! Visit

www.amor.org/30years for event information.

Gayla and I can’t believe we have been doing this for

30 years – we are so humbled!

In Christ,

Scott Congdon

Founder and CEO

Would you like to hear more from the Founders?

Visit www.amor.org to receive Amor’s monthly

eNews from Gayla or the Simply Scott blog to

hear from Scott.

www.amor.org

Letter f rom the FounderMost people understand that short-term mission

trips are a way to help those who are less fortunate

or in need. However, what many do not realize

is that those who serve experience a significant

change in their beliefs and perspectives. A greater

sense of appreciation and a more thankful attitude

are common after-effects from a short-term mission

trip. Prior to a trip, many people become frustratedor unhappy about rather insignificant issues. After

experiencing what the underprivileged deal with on

a daily basis, short-term mission trip participants may

realize how fortunate they truly are.

Personal transformation is another leading reason

many young Americans participate in short-term

mission projects. Renewed spirituality, a commitment

to resist materialism, and a newfound orientation

toward service are all ways people describe the

life-changing experience during and after a

short-term mission project.

It is no secret that the large number of people

participating in short-term missions is making a

considerable difference in missionary work. What

many people may not know is that a significant

number of those who take short-term mission trips

will return for longer mission service—and without

the exposure of a short-term mission trip, many may

never realize their calling. A study of 116 participants

included a quantitative questionnaire prior to the

short-term mission trip, after they returned, and oneyear after the mission experience. Research findings

from “Long-Term Impact of Short-Term Missions on

the Beliefs, Attitudes and Behaviors of Young Adults”

by Randall Gary Friesen highlighted a correlation

between repeat short-term mission assignments and

strong interest in future full-time mission work.

Another study strengthens the correlation between

short-term mission participation and full-time

missionary work. A survey by Daniel P. McDonough

and Roger P. Peterson concluded that those who

had participated in STEM Ministries’ short-termmission program reported significant increases in the

amount of time in missions-related prayer, giving,

and openness to long-term career service.

The effects of today’s generation of teenagers

participating in short-term mission trips is not

yet known, but it can be safely assumed that the

experiences they are having will have an effect on

their future and the future of most people in U.S.

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Project Hope: Spread the Word

On the Horizon

www.amor.org

The Bible is the best selling book of all time. In fact, it is the only book in

history that has sold more than one billion copies. Still, there are people in

many countries who have never owned their own Bible.

Ninety-two percent of Americans have a Bible in their household. You

probably have a family Bible at home that you cherish and may hope to

pass on to your children one day. It is a privilege to have the resources to

own a Bible that shows the pride and value that you have in your faith.

In Mexico, Bibles can cost up to three times as much as a similar Bible found

in the United States. With families struggling to simply survive, finding the

money to purchase a Bible can be nearly impossible. And many churches

in their community do not have the funds needed to cover the expense of handing out Bibles.

When you donate to Project Hope: Spread the Word, you provide

someone with the opportunity to read the love letter that God wrote to

them. Help Amor Ministries provide our partner churches with a simple

outreach opportunity. The Pastors of the Ministry Planning Boards desire

the chance to spread the Word to those in their communities.

To make a donation to Project Hope: Spread the Word please visit www.amor.org/give/projecthope or complete

and return the enclosed envelope with your donation.

Introducing Energize!Amor now offers children’s and youth curriculum!

With 30 years under our belt, Amor has broadened ourscope of ministry. Energize is our first effort to offeran educational tool that “radically changes people.”Our goal is to “impact the future of the church” by

providing young people a biblical curriculum forchildren ages 5-17.

A children’s and youth curriculum designed for alllevels of church leadership, youth workers can usethese adaptable, creative, andbiblically-based meeting plansto give young people a solidfoundation for growth in Christ.

www.amor.org/energize

A Mission Trip for Individuals!Don’t worry about coming on your own; the X Projectwill pair you up with fellow participants to serve.

2011 DATES RELEASED!

1-Day Trip: October 9, 2010,February 19, 2011, July 16, 2011

3-Day Trips: August 5-7, 2011November 11-13, 2011

To register, visit www.amor.org/xproject.

Questions? Call MissionServices at 619-662-1200 ext.6.

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secondary education. Our community projects help

villagers in Mali and Ecuador realize their dreams of

improving their own communities. Our goal is to

create and nurture real and responsible relationships

among people of different cultures. Giving and

receiving are inherent parts of those relationships,

and contributing to community projects is a great

way to make friends. Tandana is a Kichwa root word

meaning “to gather together” or “to unite” and

represents the spirit of our work.”

To learn more about The Tandana Foundation, visit

www.tandanafoundation.org.

If you have a story about how the Amor Mission

Trip has transformed your life, your career, or

your family, we want to hear about it! Submit

your stories and hear others’ stories by visiting

www.amor.org/myamorstory .

In 2011, Amor is serving inthe following locations:

Tecate, Mexico (Spring only)

Rosarito, Mexico (Summer only)

Delmas, South Africa (Summer only)

Tijuana, Mexico (Year-round)

San Carlos, Arizona (Year-round)

Puerto Peñasco,Mexico (Year-round)

Register online atwww.amor.org/trips.

Questions?Call Mission Services at619-662-1200 ext.6.

Book Your 2011 AmorMission Trips Today!

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1664 Precision Park LaneSan Diego, CA 92173

619.662.1200www.amor.org

NON-PROFIT OR

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDOXNARD, CA

PERMIT NO. 12

We Welcome Your Feedbackf you have story suggestions or photos

o contribute, please email our editor at

[email protected] or submit

directly at www.amor.org/MyAmorStory

C alendar o f Events

X Project Mission Trips

Tijuana, Mexico

A mission trip for individuals

2011 DATES RELEASED!

1-Day Trip:

October 9, 2010

February 19, 2011July 16, 2011

3-Day Trips:

August 5-7, 2011

November 11-13, 2011

Learn more at www.amor.org/xproject .

30th AnniversaryCelebration DinnersLos Angeles, CA – October 2, 2010Bay Area, CA – October 23, 2010

Purchase tickets atwww.amor.org/30years .

*Other event details available atwww.amor.org/30years .

30th AnniversaryDallas Golf TournamentDallas, TX – October 18, 2010

Golf Tournament – Bridlewood Golf Club

Register: www.amor.org/golf

MOTH - Fall - 10

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