To the Ends of the Earth: A Manual for Short-Term Mission Trips

The purpose of this paper with the attached training manual is to produce a consistent training format for Resurrection Lutheran Church‘s mission teams that provides for an individual‘s transformation, grows cohesive groups, and develops the congregation as a mission center for sending people into the world. Resurrection Lutheran Church is a medium-sized congregation affiliated with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). It was established in the North Houston area in 1971. Sending teams on international trips has become an important part of this congregation‘s overall corporate mission. This paper will contain three major parts. In order to present an understanding of the impact of Resurrection Lutheran‘s mission trips, the first section will explore the culture of the congregation and its denomination. It will examine both the history and values present in the Lutheran faith and investigate the transition to mobilizing disciples to become missionaries at home as a result of their involvement in a short-term mission experience. Also, it will present the biblical-theological foundation for the mission trips themselves. The second section will address three areas. It will discuss outcomes of the preparation and training. It will outline the goals of the training manual for both the leaders and the participants on the mission trips. It will set forth the pedagogy upon which the training manual experience has been created and discuss the style and the learning techniques that are encompassed within its various sections. The third section contains the training manual. It will be presented in two main segments. Ultimately, it provides a foundation for understanding God at work in the world, God at work in missions, and God at work in the lives of the individuals on the teams. It is hoped that this manual also will impact other congregations who wish to do similar mission work. Content Reader: David Luecke, Ph