We do this by utilizing short term missions as both a venue and a catalyst to see the discipleship process played out on the mission field and within the local church. Mission Element does not fall into the trap of trying to decide whether mission trips are for the project or the participant. Our answer is "YES". This is a "both/and" proposition, not an "either/or". With proper preparation, planning, and execution, a mission trip will have impact on the field and on the participant with neither feeling short changed. Our heart is for the field while also being completely for the local church. They are both equally important to Jesus so we want to make them equally important to us. We believe the field and church can work together effectively in partnership. That does not mean that every church can work with every partner. Nor does it mean that every participant is able to go on every trip a church takes. We believe in doing what is best and sometimes that means saying "No". For Churches:
We love the local church because Jesus does and want to work within the church to support and come alongside, providing a means of engaging missionally. We offer expertly planned, executed, and lead mission trips that keep the Gospel at the forefront of all we do. You will receive on-field, hands-on opportunities to share in the work of making disciples. We overlay your specific needs, gifts, and talents with the needs of the field as we prepare your trip. We work domestically and internationally through our contacts and partners or through yours. We work with virtually any team size across a multitude of ministry contexts and locations. We keep prices as low as possible without sacrificing quality and safety. For Participants:
You're part of the local church and we love you. We take your spiritual growth and personal safety seriously. Spiritually, our goal is not to give you a mission experience so you can check the missions box on your spiritual resume. Our goal is to be intentional in utilizing your mission trip as an opportunity for you to get to know God better and become an even more committed follower of His as you serve Him on the field. We want you to engage in the work of making disciples on the field so you can do the same thing back home. We want to see you change lives in the power of the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit changes your life. We want you to see and understand the potential you have to be on mission where you live. Your mission trip isn't a destination, only the beginning of a journey. Additionally, as a Mission Element participant, your physical needs and personal safety are always at the forefront of what we think about when we plan your trip. We can't remove all risk, but our goal is to set you free to serve, knowing that your trip leader's primary mission is you. For Missionaries and Ministries:
We love field missionaries and ministries. We work WITH you. We don't dictate to you. We provide teams prepared to work in your ministry context, ministering in needed and culturally acceptable ways. While we try very hard to match up the individual gifts and talents of our participants with the needs on the field, we also train our participants to be ready to serve our partners well regardless of what they are asked to do. We serve as intermediary between team and field missionary or contact. We run all the team logistics and handle all the team issues so our field partners can focus as much as they are able to on their overall ministry and not become completely sidetracked with the mission team. We respect our partners needs and wishes pertaining to needed and effective ministry as well as team size. We desire to be a blessing, not a curse to you as our partner. You are the one ministering in your location all the time. Mission Element teams are your guests as well as your fellow believers who have come to work alongside you as you make disciples and share the love of Christ. In partnering with us, you have the opportunity for the church to see and understand what you do. You also have the opportunity to have impact on the Kingdom and our participants for the long term, well beyond the mission trip. Not only is your own work being furthered, but you are helping disciple our participants. We never know what God will do, but at minimum you are helping create individuals who have a better understanding and love for missions and discipleship. Beyond that, it is not uncommon to see new supporters of missions, new missionaries, and new vocational Christian workers spun out of mission trips.
