Don't Forget to Pack the Kids: Short Term Missions for Families [Paperback]

Jill Marie Richardson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2012

Think mission trips are only for teenagers and adults-no-kids? Think again. Do you long to: --See your kids understand other cultures and levels of privilege? --Help them realize they can be ministers at any age? --Inject compassion and generosity into your daily life and their future? --Do something meaningful for others now? Don't let fears that your kids are too young, you don't have the money or the time, or anything else stop you. Start planning that life-changing experience now! Detailed, step-by-step instructions to make it happen fill this book. Pack the kids--and go!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jill has a BA in English and Education from Washington University in St. Louis and an MDiv in theology from Bethel University, St. Paul. She is an award-winning writer and speaker. Jill has published three books and numerous articles and speaks in Chicago and surrounding areas. She serves as Pastor of Discipleship at Resolution Church in Oswego, Illinois. Her three kids have been to thirteen countries, and counting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 146 pages
• Publisher: BeachGlass (February 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615581188
• ISBN-13: 978-0615581187
• Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,640,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jill has been a high school teacher, pastor, editor, and writer, and the field is still wide open for future options. She writes in a variety of genres, having published hundreds of magazine articles, one novel, one book of plays, and two non-fiction books. Currently, she is working on a young adult novel involving one very unwilling heroine and her questionably legal friend.


Jill loves oceans, cats, chocolate, teenagers, her family, the Cubs, and God, not necessarily in that order. She is also a professional speaker and is available for speaking engagements.

Jill is represented by Diana Flegel at Hartline Literary Agency.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Logistical resource and interesting read March 19, 2012

By Robert W. Bastian

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is about short term mission trips for families, with the focus on taking even young children along. Included are the arguments for (and for balance, against) this kind of activity, significant "how-to" passages, and many stories of the author's family's trip to work in an orphanage in China.

This book could be very helpful to various kinds of readers. First, those just wanting to explore the whole idea, but still undecided. Second, those who want to go a step farther and begin the search for the particular agency/ country/ ministry that they will choose. Third, those with preliminary arrangments made, who want detailed assistance with logistics such as passports and immunizations; fundraising ideas; what to pack, and how to navigate cultural issues in their destination country. A fourth kind of reader may be interested in the journal elements of a particular trip, with its many anecdotes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Personal Accounts of Family Ministry May 25, 2013

By Erika ~ Prey Species

Format:Paperback

This book was inspiring and insightful. Richardson does an excellent job of explaining why taking your entire family, including 3 young children under the age of 12 to China for ministry work in an orphanage is actually a great idea! The book is incredibly well written and filled with humorous anecdotes and emotional personal accounts of her young daughters' personal experiences working in the orphanage. Richardson also provides advice on deciding whether your family should pursue ministry and provides helpful tips in picking and preparing for a family ministry trip. I highly recommend this a book to read for anyone who reads the title and thinks....hmmmmm, maybe......

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes! You can take your kids on a missions trip! May 1, 2013

By Jennifer Smith

Format:Paperback

I loved this book. The author takes the reader on a fabulous journey of all the ins and outs of how and why you can and SHOULD take your family on a short-term missions trip. I found this book to not only be inspiring but very practical. From fundraising ideas in chapter 6 to dealing with all the realities of missions trips I thought this book was a wonderful read and very inspiring to step out of my comfort zone and actually do this one day! The author reminds us through her own personal stories woven into her tips such as things like you can't think of this mission trip as a "vacation" as she describes having to "sleep" on a train with her family. This book has so many tips like making sure your health records are up to date to being certain you "pack Jesus" and spend a huge amount of time in prayer and planning and learning about the country you will eventually visit. If you have ever considered a short-term missions trip but thought you should wait to go once the kids were older, you might want to read this book and reconsider what God might have you do while your children are still young and what God might teach your children out of their effort to serve and love people around the world!

5.0 out of 5 stars Get ready for a life of adventure!! April 28, 2013

By Pat Fenner

Format:Paperback

This is a book I wish I wrote years ago...and a book that I'll be talking about for years to come!

Mrs. Richardson covers short-term missions (STM) with the family from "soup to nuts". Covering everything from getting ready (the kids, the finances AND the suitcases) to getting back, this book is sprinkled with vignettes from the author's own experiences. These pack a punch, and show how a STM trip can really affect the young ones in your family as they grow.

Admittedly, a STM experience is NOT for everyone, but if you're eager to grow in your faith, encourage your children to discover and use the gifts God has blessed them with, and minister as a family, this IS the book for you.

At a reasonable cost that will easily pay for itself and then some...please use this as part of your family's preparation before you actually step foot on the plane, and leave well prepared to start a life of adventure!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for families who desire to serve the Lord as a family. April 28, 2013

By Sarah J. Bailey

Format:Paperback

I have one daughter whose dream is to become a missionary, she is 8, so many have asked her, "Why?", or "You could do ABC instead." - so when I had the chance to read and review Don't Forget to Pack the Kids I was excited and Jill Richardson has reaffirmed my hearts desire to take the children on a mission trip. I've always wanted to take my children on a short term mission trip, but kept thinking I needed to wait until they were older, given that my children are 11 (she'd be fine but very sensitive), 8 (also fine and very sensitive) and 6 almost 7 (all boy, needs lot of stuff to do and often doesn't pay attention) - I kept thinking there is no way I could take them on a mission trip and have them help in the building of a well or house or church.

Thank you, Jill, for opening my eyes and re-inspiring me - I want to keep my 8 year old's flame ignited and going as well as to have my other children be Jesus' hand and feet. My heart is called to Africa as well as China - and while my husband probably wouldn't be able to accompany us - I'd love to be able to raise the support to take my children and I to show Jesus to those who otherwise wouldn't get to see Him. Jill's books offers very doable advice in how to prepare yourself both physical (like vaccinations), emotional and the legal side of things (I'd have to get a document stating my husband is allowing me to take the children out of the country) as well as how to evaluate if your doing the mission trip for the right or wrong reasons, things to pack and not to pack, and probably most importantly, fundraising - her family of 5 had to raise $10,000 (most of us don't have that lying around)....

I'll definitely be re-committing the desire to do some mission work, even if it's just out West or in the mountains of Kentucky to begin with, to prayer and see if the Lord begins to move my husband's heart to do this, even if it's just his blessing for us 4 to go. Fundraising scares me, especially big time fundraising, but I know I can draw the strength from the Lord and He will provide and give us those people who will help fund us. If you've ever wondered if you can take many small children on a short term mission trip, if will have any affect, and how to do it - grab Jill's book and a high lighter and get to reading.

**I received a free copy of this book from the author through Christian Women Affiliate in exchange for posting my honest opinion, no other compensation was given - I'm disclosing this in accordance with FTC regulations. Read more ›