Why Send Teams? Part 3

We've been looking at reasons to spend time, energy and resources to send groups on short-term missions projects throughout our world. In spite of objections (many reasonable, I might add), there are compelling reasons to deploy teams. In addition to what has already been written, let me add the following motivation.

Sending teams is a hands-on way of understanding what God is doing beyond our front door. Reading or knowing about a situation is not the same as becoming part of it, even for a short time. And since we send teams back to the same places, we build relationships that allow us to share more of our lives and understand even more what is taking place.

The fruit that comes as a result of these experiences is varied and beautiful. Relationships are established as life investments are made, people come to know Jesus, our worldviews conform more closely to a Biblical pattern, and some decide to return long-term to places we have visited.

Are there risks in sending GO! Teams? Sure. Is it costly? You bet, but we believe the benefits justify the expense. And it's far more costly, from a spiritual standpoint, to stay home and fail to follow the Biblical mandate of making sure all people in all places have the opportunity to choose to follow Christ.

That's why we send teams.