moth - fall - 10
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More than ever before, young people are participating
in short-term mission trips to help the underprivileged.
This is a relatively new phenomenon as the first
short-term mission trips were formed roughly 50 years
ago with only a handful of ministries offering this type of
trip. Only in the past 30 years has there been a real growth
in the options available for
short-term mission work.
In fact, the number of peopletaking part in short-term
mission trips is growing at a
remarkable rate. According
to “Open Mic: Short-Term
Mission Trips” (Intermonk.
com), estimates today range from one to four million North
Americans taking short-term mission trips every year. In the
United States alone, approximately one million individuals
undertake a mission trip of less than two weeks each year
(Students on a mission: FAITH IN ACTION).
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect pertaining to the growthin overall short-term mission participation is the number of
young people involved in the effort. Based on a national
random survey, sociologist Christian Smith reports that 29
percent of all 13- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. have “gone
on a religious missions team or religious service project,”
with ten percent having gone on such trips three or more
times.
So what is the driving force behind the increase in the
number of young people taking part in short-term
mission trips? Part of this trend can be attributed to
living in the information age. Traditional mass media (TV,
radio, newspapers) and the Internet deliver images and
information highlighting the level of despair and
destitution rampant in many third world counties. With
greater access to this information than any generation
before them, teenagers today are more aware of the plight
facing many outside of
their own communities and
countries. Such knowledge
has created a greater senseof responsibility, which is
inspiring more and more
people to become positive
agents of change.
However, the more significant reasons behind the increase
in young people participating in short-term mission work
lies beyond mere access to information. Short-term mission
trip participants often feel a deeper sense of empathy and
understanding during their work. They are able to see
first-hand that other countries and cultures are different,
and that other people have different ways of looking at life.
While short-term mission work can instill a sense of
appreciation for how people in other parts of the world are
different from them, it also leads to a better understanding
of what everyone has in common. People living in poverty
have the same feelings, hopes, and desires as those who do
not. Despite cultural differences, participants often learn
they have more in common with those they are serving than
they first realized.
Matters of the Heart Fall 2010
Today’s Youth Driving Growth
in Short-Term Mission Work
While short-term mission work can instill
a sense of appreciation for how people inother parts of the world are different from
them, it also leads to a better understanding
of what everyone has in common.
by Matt Meigs
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Dear Friends of Amor,
As you know, Amor has
been sending missionarieson short-term mission trips
into Mexico for 30 years!
Boy, has the time flown by!
With our recent expansion
to South Africa and the San
Carlos Apache Reservation,
we are fulfilling our vision of
sending missionaries to make disciples of all nations,
just as we are called to do in the Great Commission.
Recently, Gayla and I were able to join some
participants as they built a home on an Amor MissionTrip in South Africa. It is so exciting to be able to
work alongside groups in the mission field and see
lives being transformed. We were able to talk with
participants on the field who are just learning the
joy of working for God and others. I love seeing
this happen! I am excited that we are sharing Anna
Taft’s story of how her Amor Mission Trips shaped her
passions in our Beyond the Field article. It drives me
to tell more and more people about what Amor is
doing. Check out the Group Leader Corner to be
challenged in this as well.
As we gear up for our 30th Anniversary Celebration
Dinners in October, we are constantly being reminded
of how thankful we are for our donors, participants,
and supporters. I want to personally invite you to
the events. We would love to see you there! Visit
www.amor.org/30years for event information.
Gayla and I can’t believe we have been doing this for
30 years – we are so humbled!
In Christ,
Scott Congdon
Founder and CEO
Would you like to hear more from the Founders?
Visit www.amor.org to receive Amor’s monthly
eNews from Gayla or the Simply Scott blog to
hear from Scott.
www.amor.org
Letter f rom the FounderMost people understand that short-term mission
trips are a way to help those who are less fortunate
or in need. However, what many do not realize
is that those who serve experience a significant
change in their beliefs and perspectives. A greater
sense of appreciation and a more thankful attitude
are common after-effects from a short-term mission
trip. Prior to a trip, many people become frustratedor unhappy about rather insignificant issues. After
experiencing what the underprivileged deal with on
a daily basis, short-term mission trip participants may
realize how fortunate they truly are.
Personal transformation is another leading reason
many young Americans participate in short-term
mission projects. Renewed spirituality, a commitment
to resist materialism, and a newfound orientation
toward service are all ways people describe the
life-changing experience during and after a
short-term mission project.
It is no secret that the large number of people
participating in short-term missions is making a
considerable difference in missionary work. What
many people may not know is that a significant
number of those who take short-term mission trips
will return for longer mission service—and without
the exposure of a short-term mission trip, many may
never realize their calling. A study of 116 participants
included a quantitative questionnaire prior to the
short-term mission trip, after they returned, and oneyear after the mission experience. Research findings
from “Long-Term Impact of Short-Term Missions on
the Beliefs, Attitudes and Behaviors of Young Adults”
by Randall Gary Friesen highlighted a correlation
between repeat short-term mission assignments and
strong interest in future full-time mission work.
Another study strengthens the correlation between
short-term mission participation and full-time
missionary work. A survey by Daniel P. McDonough
and Roger P. Peterson concluded that those who
had participated in STEM Ministries’ short-termmission program reported significant increases in the
amount of time in missions-related prayer, giving,
and openness to long-term career service.
The effects of today’s generation of teenagers
participating in short-term mission trips is not
yet known, but it can be safely assumed that the
experiences they are having will have an effect on
their future and the future of most people in U.S.
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Project Hope: Spread the Word
On the Horizon
www.amor.org
The Bible is the best selling book of all time. In fact, it is the only book in
history that has sold more than one billion copies. Still, there are people in
many countries who have never owned their own Bible.
Ninety-two percent of Americans have a Bible in their household. You
probably have a family Bible at home that you cherish and may hope to
pass on to your children one day. It is a privilege to have the resources to
own a Bible that shows the pride and value that you have in your faith.
In Mexico, Bibles can cost up to three times as much as a similar Bible found
in the United States. With families struggling to simply survive, finding the
money to purchase a Bible can be nearly impossible. And many churches
in their community do not have the funds needed to cover the expense of handing out Bibles.
When you donate to Project Hope: Spread the Word, you provide
someone with the opportunity to read the love letter that God wrote to
them. Help Amor Ministries provide our partner churches with a simple
outreach opportunity. The Pastors of the Ministry Planning Boards desire
the chance to spread the Word to those in their communities.
To make a donation to Project Hope: Spread the Word please visit www.amor.org/give/projecthope or complete
and return the enclosed envelope with your donation.
Introducing Energize!Amor now offers children’s and youth curriculum!
With 30 years under our belt, Amor has broadened ourscope of ministry. Energize is our first effort to offeran educational tool that “radically changes people.”Our goal is to “impact the future of the church” by
providing young people a biblical curriculum forchildren ages 5-17.
A children’s and youth curriculum designed for alllevels of church leadership, youth workers can usethese adaptable, creative, andbiblically-based meeting plansto give young people a solidfoundation for growth in Christ.
www.amor.org/energize
A Mission Trip for Individuals!Don’t worry about coming on your own; the X Projectwill pair you up with fellow participants to serve.
2011 DATES RELEASED!
1-Day Trip: October 9, 2010,February 19, 2011, July 16, 2011
3-Day Trips: August 5-7, 2011November 11-13, 2011
To register, visit www.amor.org/xproject.
Questions? Call MissionServices at 619-662-1200 ext.6.
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secondary education. Our community projects help
villagers in Mali and Ecuador realize their dreams of
improving their own communities. Our goal is to
create and nurture real and responsible relationships
among people of different cultures. Giving and
receiving are inherent parts of those relationships,
and contributing to community projects is a great
way to make friends. Tandana is a Kichwa root word
meaning “to gather together” or “to unite” and
represents the spirit of our work.”
To learn more about The Tandana Foundation, visit
www.tandanafoundation.org.
If you have a story about how the Amor Mission
Trip has transformed your life, your career, or
your family, we want to hear about it! Submit
your stories and hear others’ stories by visiting
www.amor.org/myamorstory .
In 2011, Amor is serving inthe following locations:
Tecate, Mexico (Spring only)
Rosarito, Mexico (Summer only)
Delmas, South Africa (Summer only)
Tijuana, Mexico (Year-round)
San Carlos, Arizona (Year-round)
Puerto Peñasco,Mexico (Year-round)
Register online atwww.amor.org/trips.
Questions?Call Mission Services at619-662-1200 ext.6.
Book Your 2011 AmorMission Trips Today!
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1664 Precision Park LaneSan Diego, CA 92173
619.662.1200www.amor.org
NON-PROFIT OR
U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDOXNARD, CA
PERMIT NO. 12
We Welcome Your Feedbackf you have story suggestions or photos
o contribute, please email our editor at
[email protected] or submit
directly at www.amor.org/MyAmorStory
C alendar o f Events
X Project Mission Trips
Tijuana, Mexico
A mission trip for individuals
2011 DATES RELEASED!
1-Day Trip:
October 9, 2010
February 19, 2011July 16, 2011
3-Day Trips:
August 5-7, 2011
November 11-13, 2011
Learn more at www.amor.org/xproject .
30th AnniversaryCelebration DinnersLos Angeles, CA – October 2, 2010Bay Area, CA – October 23, 2010
Purchase tickets atwww.amor.org/30years .
*Other event details available atwww.amor.org/30years .
30th AnniversaryDallas Golf TournamentDallas, TX – October 18, 2010
Golf Tournament – Bridlewood Golf Club
Register: www.amor.org/golf