Short-Term Mission, Long-Term Impact

By Donna Bloomfield

Swindon Family Church

UK

‘Probably one of the most significant experiences of my life…’
Graham Scalon, Ghana Life Change Team 2006

‘Thoroughly life-changing.’
Ruth Bunting, Ghana Life Change Team 2006

A passion for the church
Cross-cultural mission
Church planting
A heart for the poor and persecuted
Ongoing relationships between churches
Transformed perspectives

This is just a small taste of the fruit that has come from Life Change Teams, which have now seen around 300 people spend two to four weeks in another nation.

In the past four years, more than 30 teams have headed off to seventeen different locations worldwide, including India, Ghana, North Africa, Kenya, the Middle East, Russia, South Africa, Turkey and Zimbabwe.

The impact has been enormous and lasting. Over 35% of those who went on teams in the first three years have already returned to the same nation or have gone longer term to another nation. Many others are currently preparing to go.

For others the effects have been less dramatic but no less significant. Joining with other Newfrontiers churches or church planting teams has provided an incredible opportunity to see the transforming power of the gospel at work in another context. Team members have found it inspiring to see for themselves that we really are a worldwide family on a mission together. People’s perspective of ‘church’ is often changed and many have testified to having a new passion for the church, or return with a desire to be involved in a church plant.

‘I’ve come back with a bigger expectation and desire to see God move in power in the UK and it’s fuelled a passion for church planting.’
David Hill, Lesotho Team 2006

For some it ignites a passion to church plant in unreached areas. Some teams have a specific focus on this and team members spend time with church planting teams, learning how to reach the unreached and discovering first-hand some of the challenges of planting a church amongst people groups who have never even heard the name of Jesus.

Exposure to another culture

The experience of being in another culture with exposure to the reality of the issues that are faced by the churches in the places they visit, such as poverty, disease, or risk of persecution, is an eye-opener for many. This, together with the ways in which the church is responding, undoubtedly has a huge effect.

‘The team was a life-changing experience ~ a time full of new experiences, more dependence on God, of seeing God’s transforming power in people’s lives. It’s turned my western values system upside-down.’
Julia Silcock, Grabouw Team 2006

The benefits of team are not only for those who are called to go to another nation. Many have gone on a team and have discovered that God is calling them to stay in their own nation, their experiences having helped to equip them to be far more effective in their home context.

‘I am definitely called to London but my passion for the world that lives in this city has grown enormously as a result of the Life Change Team. I have already been able to share experiences and see and embrace cultural differences much more successfully than before. God wants one family – a global community worshipping together.’
Caroline Jakeman, Ghana Team 2006

God often seems to use the time when people are out of their own setting to speak to them about what He wants them to do when they return to it. This has resulted in many getting involved in their churches and local communities in new ways, serving in and initiating new ministries. Others have started getting specific training in preparation for what God is calling them to, whether it be leadership or in other areas such as counselling, working with the elderly or with youth.

Encountering God in new ways

Life Change Teams aim to bring about change in the lives of those who go. Every year people have testified about the ways in which God has worked in their lives.
Some have seen breakthroughs in long-standing issues as they have encountered God is new ways. Others have stepped out and done things they would probably never have done at home, returning with an increased sense of confidence in who they are in God.

Steve Oliver, who has received five teams in Clarens, South Africa, says, ‘By releasing them in “church building activities” they get opportunities to minister in various ways that many have not previously been exposed to. As they see God move, so many lives are instantly changed in these encounters. The results have been quite unbelievable!’

The emphasis on learning and being trained is a key feature of all teams. Before teams depart they receive teaching which lays a Biblical foundation for mission, helping people to understand the calling that we have to take the good news to the ends of the earth and how God’s plan is that we do so through the church. Training then continues, often in the location, focusing on issues which are relevant to the local context, such as racism, tribalism, ministry to the poor, HIV/AIDS, or reaching out to those of other faiths.

‘I think this trip was more equipping me than anything else…It was a great opportunity to develop kingdom building skills in sometimes tough situations…The culture has helped me in my cross-cultural relation skills and I feel this is another valid skill for the mission here in England.’
Graham Scalon, Ghana 2006

Life Change Teams are not first and foremost about going and doing, but about going and being – being with the church, being open to God, being exposed and immersed in another culture, being ready to have your preconceptions challenged, being willing to step out of your comfort zone, being willing to learn and being ready to change.

‘My Life Change Team was indeed life changing. Apart from when I became a Christian I have never had God do so much in my life in such a concentrated time.’
Julia Heaton, Russia Team 2006

Life Change Teams make a significant difference. As we look to 2007, it’s with a fresh sense of expectancy that Life Change Teams will continue to bear fruit and have a long-term impact for many years to come. Teams may last for only a few weeks, but the impact is without a doubt long-lasting. They are playing an important part in helping us reach the nations and take the good news of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth.

For more information about 2007 teams click here.

Short-Term Mission, Long-Term Impact

By Donna Bloomfield

Swindon Family Church

UK

Exposure to another culture

Encountering God in new ways

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