Opening Hearts Through Short‑Term Mission
At Global Partners, we’re committed to sharing the gospel with people who have never heard about Jesus. And it’s a joy to support missionaries who are reaching the unreached.
For many missionaries, their journey started with a short-term trip to another culture.
Going on a short-term trip can be a life-changing experience. Research shows that people who participate in cross-cultural mission trips often return home more generous, more active in serving others and with a clearer sense of purpose. For some, it even helps shape future decisions over time—about things like career, finances and calling.
Five high schoolers experienced it first-hand this spring. Along with three adult leaders, the group traveled from Parkway Church in Roanoke, Va. to serve two local churches in Panama. They shared Bible lessons, played games and got to know the kids and pastors. It was a meaningful time of connecting and encouraging.
Global Partners regional mobilizer Christy Van Steenburg coordinated the trip. She said she truly enjoys leading high school teams. She observed that when students first arrive, they are often totally overwhelmed by how different things are. The first night is usually hard: hard to sleep on the cots, hard to remember not to flush toilet paper, hard to trust that everything is safe. But by the end of the week, students ask if they can stay longer!
Lexi, one of the team leaders, reflected on their first days in Panama: “Some of the team needed a couple of days to adjust to the culture and to adjust their expectations. By Tuesday, the team was in a groove! We were bonding more with each other, and the students were coming out of their shells around the kids. We were having such a good time together!”
One of the highlights of the trip was the slower pace of life in Panama. The church service didn’t start for nearly two hours because they wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to get there! This also gave time to build deeper relationships, since people weren’t rushing to get on to the next thing.
Lexi shared, “Our lives will be different…and we have a new understanding of missions. The God that they worshipped in Panamá is the same God we worship in the States. He makes time and creates space for all of us.”
Explore more short-term trips at globalpartnersonline.org/teams