So what is a “Win”in regards to short term missions trips? One of our very own Mount Hope Missionaries took some time to give us some inside information on the subject. After a decade raising their missionary family in an extremist Muslim environment their words curious and authoritative weight. Their faithful walk shows me that they understand two things very well. They understand the pressure of missions life AND they very clearly understand what it means to walk in Holy Spirit power. In a moment of adrenaline, many can’t heroically run to the battle lines. It takes more then human heroics to have staying power when you see war up close.

Here’s what they said…

Before heading overseas, as a team, you should sit down as a group and define a ‘win’. What does a ‘win’ look like for your team? Maybe just going oversea for the first time will be your win. Maybe someone in your group who just became a new believer is joining you – that’s win! It’s easy to define lofty goals for your time overseas like “win them all to Jesus” or “100 people get healed” but you might want to just start with “make there and back with cohesion and unity”.

Why is this exercise important?

Why does it matter why you define a win. Well, believe it or not there are team members with different goals and expectations. Having a discussion like this, will bring these goals and expectations to the surface allowing your group to sift through the reality of what you will experience. It also may bring to light what the Lord is putting on your heart as a team for a ‘win’.

Secondly, as you define a ‘win’, you will communicate this to the “worker” hosting you. “Hey Sue, our team really wants to visit a local’s home and spend time with a local family. This would be a big ‘win’ for our team because everyone in our group has never left their home state before. This would really give them a new perspective about people around the world”. You and the “worker” can be on the same page and working together for the ‘win’.

Workers want to help you ‘win’. The reality of hosting you and your team is that it takes A LOT of time / effort / energy to host you. The second reality is that they REALLY enjoy doing it. So why not communicate what’s important and what will make your team feel like TRUE CHAMPS when they get on the plane to go back home?

How to make a ‘win’ possible.

  1. Make it measurable.
  2. Make sure the “worker” know what it is and you have communicated prior to your arrival.
    The “worker” on the ground may give you some great feedback to make your ‘win’ even bigger.
  3. Make it attainable.
    Winning the whole country to Jesus is great goal but highly unlikely during your week long trip.
  4. Make it yours.
    Don’t allow someone else to make it for you. But be open to have it refined.
  5. Do it as a team.
    And make sure to hear others out first
  6. Be in prayer about it.

Note: Lastly, if it isn’t accomplished, don’t be discouraged. Part of going overseas is the ability to be flexible, adaptive and learning to improvise. Come home, rejoice in Jesus and get to planning your next trip! Dozens of people have been called long-term, overseas, because they had gone with their church group on an overseas trip.