Prepare your team. Ninety-five percent of what happens on a mission trip has been pre-determined before you leave home. The degree to which you prepare your team will be the degree to which you will be able to process, understand, and respond to what you experience.
Plan ahead. While preparing for all the elements of the project you may find yourself overwhelmed, and forgetting the ultimate goal, may quickly forfeit potential spiritual growth.
Identify assumptions. The assumptions and expectations you have about what you think God will do in and through your team will largely set the tone for the project. We encourage team leaders to view short-term projects as a blessing from the Lord as He uses you to expand His kingdom and sanctify your hearts. Our powerful Lord is capable of producing much change on a short-term trip. First, we need to be open to the change the Lord is making in our hearts. Then, we will be ready to process this change.
Preparing for debrief
Definition of debrief. Debrief is the process whereby the team discusses and reflects on experiences - sharing insights, blessings and personal application. This time helps team members process change in their hearts and look at implications for the future. If you plan debrief at the beginning, you can carefully gauge team interactions so that specific goals are accomplished.
There are two assumptions we are making regarding debrief:
• The short-term experience is a catalyst for growth and ongoing involvement in missions.
• If the short-term experience produces a heart change, then that participant will in some way be out of sync with the world. This is referred to as reversed culture shock and will discussed later.
Identify goals. Set goals as you debrief so your time is constructive. Goals should help participants apply experiences to their personal lives, building a ministry mindset at home with a clear understanding of kingdom growth. Also, discuss re-entry adjustments and practical applications.
Potential goals for your team:
Spiritual (Discipleship & Worship)
• Understanding of Christ
• Understanding of Scripture
• Understanding of my role in the Lord’s Kingdom Ministry (Servant-hood)
• What does a servant’s heart resemble?
• How can I develop a servant's heart?
• How can I continue genuine ministry at home?
Relational (Fellowship)
• What do we want our team to relate?
• How can this experience change how I relate to people?
Let us pray for a strong foundation for our teams serving at Operation Exodus in 2011
"Debrief during and after a project is more directly responsible for reaching your goals than the project itself." - Dan Faber, Missions Pastor
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