Mission Trips That Matter: Embodied Faith for the Sake of the World [Paperback]

Don C. Richter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008

"You've packed your duffel bag, unpacked, cut back and repacked, gotten your passport in order, winced your way through the vaccinations, researched the culture and learned critical phrases in the native language. Perhaps you're so busy preparing to do mission that you've overlooked preparing to be mission. Sometimes, it's only after you return from a journey that you realize just how much you received compared to what you gave.
Mission trips and alternative spring breaks are on the rise. Millions of youth and adults are taking time to help people in need across the state and across the globe. In a world torn by misunderstanding and inequalities, making sure missions are mutually beneficial and just instead of patronizing is an urgent concern. Learn to transcend personal experience and connect your itinerary with the gospel - even before you leave home. ""Seeing the larger story helps mission team members connect their travel experience to their ongoing life of faith,"" writes Richter. ""Instead of viewing their lives as a series of random, disconnected episodes, Christians are challenged to view their activities in relation to God's activity. Guiding folks into this way of thinking about life is at the heart of leading mission trips that matter."" Discover how to personify Christ's love, becoming servant-guests, as you help others through projects in unfamiliar places. During such pilgrimages, you'll experience and foster community as well as learn, firsthand, about the world beyond your homebase. Mission Trips That Matter will inspire and guide groups to reflect on your life together before, during and after your travels. It will also encourage you to model ""Here-as-well-as-there"" Christian practices. Richter provides aids to support the process of embodying Christ's love, including spiritual practices, stories, biblical passages, activity and reflection suggestions for the journey."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Don C. Richter is Associate Director, Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in Faith, Valparaiso University. He has a PhD in Practical Theology. He was Assistant Professor of Christian Education and Founding Director of the Youth Theological Initiative at Candler School of Theology (1992-98). Born and raised in Decatur, Alabama, he currently lives in Atlanta.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Upper Room (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835899470
• ISBN-13: 978-0835899475
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #494,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars guide for leaders of short-term mission teams, May 30, 2009

By 

S. Norris (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mission Trips That Matter: Embodied Faith for the Sake of the World (Paperback)

Have you ever thought of going on a mission trip as a kind of modern-day pilgrimage? Richter suggests that mission trips should be about more than just going and doing good work (whether it be construction or community outreach). Like pilgrimages, mission trips should be about transformation. Written primarily for those that will be leading short-term trips, this book challenges leaders to be intentional about helping team members reflect on their experience before, during, and after the trip occurs. He suggests seven areas of reflection (mostly centered around the five senses) that include: attentive eyes, attuned ears, sturdy backs, beautiful feet, open hands, courageous lips, and conspiring noses.

This book does not contain a "how to" for leading trips (no to do lists, packing suggestions, or ways to better arrange travel plans and mission partnerships), but is geared towards helping leaders reflect about the nature of short-term mission trips as extensions of God's ongoing mission in the world. It is about incorporating intentional contemplation as a part of preparation and as an integral practice for the trip itself. Leaders must find ways to help team members reflect on their experience and see how everyday activities can have spiritual significance. Only through such reflection will the long-term success and impact of these short trips take root and truly transform the lives of those involved.

As a leader and participant on many short-term trips, I found that the most helpful part of this book lies in the questions for reflection at the end of each chapter. These questions, to be used before and during the trip, challenge team members to look for the face of God, hear the voice of God, and see the presence of God in each element of the trip. I plan on using many of these questions for our group's next mission trip. Also very helpful is the challenge to create on-the-field liturgies that grow out of the daily experience of the group. Richter includes a variety of prayers that will be very helpful for our group as we seek to design meaningful and life-giving worship experiences while on the field as well.

All in all, I would highly recommend this book for those seeking to lead short-term mission opportunities and those seeking to be more than just a coordinator - those who want to be spiritual guides, using mission trips as powerful catalysts for spiritual growth in the lives of their team members.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Insights for Transforming Mission Trips!, August 8, 2008

By 

Nathan Roosien (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mission Trips That Matter: Embodied Faith for the Sake of the World (Paperback)

This book gives great perspectives and tools to help not only organize a trip, but make your trip Christ-centered. Don uses his experience to allow others to create meaningful experiences for youth, adults and all who are served. I just came back from my first trip that I planned with a youth group, and this book was an essential tool! Thanks Don!

5.0 out of 5 stars Follow Jesus and live out Christian faith through missions, June 4, 2008

By 

Jennifer Jue (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mission Trips That Matter: Embodied Faith for the Sake of the World (Paperback)

Following Jesus and actively living out our Christian faith is at the heart of "Mission Trips That Matter." Through scripture, personal stories, insightful questions, and prayful activities, leaders can guide others to a deeper understanding of Christ's incarnational ministry. Whether you are leading a one-day mission service event or a week-long mission trip, this resource can assist leaders with deepening one's spiritual experience with God. As a pastor and Christian educator, I highly recommend Don Richter's insightful book on missions and faithful discipleship.