Mack & Leeann's Guide to Short-Term Missions (Paperback)

by J. MacK Stiles (Author), Leeann Stiles (Author) "I SAT ON A ROUGH WOODEN STOOL AT A RICKETY TABLE EATING UGALI and sukumawiki somewhere between Mombasa and Nairobi with my Masai friend, Philip..." (more)
Key Phrases: Middle East, Leeann's Guide, Central America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
An ideal book for church missions committees, youth pastors, and anyone considering a short-term missions trip. -- CBA Marketplace

Product Description
Today the world is as close as an airplane flight. Thousands take advantage of this, going for short visits to other countries to be more involved in God's worldwide mission.

How can we prepare for such a trip? What are the hazards to avoid and opportunities to take advantage of? Here is field-tested advice no one should go without. Mack and Leeann Stiles are veteran leaders of a dozen two-month mission trips all over the globe. Their practical advice, hard-won lessons and hilarious stories will help us know what to expect as we get ready to see God in action in new ways.

This book uncovers keys to

[] establishing partnerships with sending churches
[] learning from our hosts in the countries we visit
[] becoming a culturally sensitive person
[] overcoming the shortcomings of short-term missions
[] growing a servant spirit
[] learning to trust God, our hosts and ourselves
[] facing injustice with realism and compassion
[] speaking about Jesus in a way that makes sense in a new culture
[] dealing with reentry culture shock when we get back home

Short mission trips can put feet on our knowledge of God and give us a God-sized picture of the world. In the process of going we will grow, and even though we may feel inadequate or scared, we will also give much to those we go to.

"This excellent book makes short-term missions a possibility for everyday Christians. Yet it has not avoided problem areas, and so brings a realistic and honest perspective to this exploding movement. The biblical illustrations and their personal stories from their wide experiences means this is a must-read book for everyone going overseas." John Kyle, Senior Vice President, Evangelical Fellowship of Mission Agencies

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Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830822690
• ISBN-13: 978-0830822690
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #450,322 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must for any trip, February 28, 2001

By	William Krischke (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having been on a short-term trip, I wish I had read this book before I went. It rings true.

Mack and Leeann have learned a LOT over the years about the beauties and pitfalls of short-term trips. This book is wonderful.

It's not a "what to pack" kind of book. Those are a dime a dozen. Instead, it digs much deeper -- into the theology/philosophy of short-term trips, how to prepare spiritually and how to return well, etc.

Perhaps most valuable is their culture-crossing advice. So much of the success and impact of a short-term trip depends upon one's ability to cross cultures, deal with culture shock, build trust, stretch yourself, and then return well. The advice here is priceless in this regard.

If you are going, read this book. If someone you love is going, read this book. If you are leading a trip, read this book and then make everyone you're taking read this book. It will save you so much trouble and may be the difference between an okay trip and an amazing trip.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for team preparation, May 17, 2004

By A Customer

I have gone thru many STM trainings and book readings. This is the best book I've read and it's an excellent resource for both the goer and trainer, it's captured all the important element for the team and individual success. It's very easy to read, with lots of practical advices, and the author always use real world stories to get to his point. I really love this book and I cannot put it down until I finished it at 3am.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stands out in the crowd of Short Term Missions literature, April 17, 2001

By	Ryan - See all my reviews

Mack and Leeann's guide is definitely a valuable addition to the newly emerging flood of books about Short Term Missions. What makes their contribution distinct is their understanding of Short Terms as a valuable part of God's mission to the world, rather than simply as a "farm league" for potential long-term missionaries, or as a way to envigorate a stagnant youth group. STM's are more than light entertainment for bored high-school students, and Mack and Leeann communicate this effectively and practically in this concise and readable guide. Chapter after chapter contain stories from their own experiences which also make this book unique.