Connecting short-term to long-term

Originally featured in ECM Life, the magazine of European Christian Mission.

Gary Stoll explains how a short-term trip to Romania with ECM changed his life.

In August 2003 I arrived in Piatra Neamt, Romania, for the first time as part of a short-term mission team from Tanterton Christian Fellowship. 20 years later I have two children registered at the very school where I was involved in sports evangelism during that first trip! 

The goal of any short-term mission trip ought to have longer-term aims in mind. This does not mean that every short termer should marry and settle down in the places they go and serve! But it does mean that short-term overseas mission trips ought to mean something more than just a summer get-away or something to look good on the CV! 

By my own admission, a big part of me wanted to come to Romania in 2003 for the experience and for enhancing my CV. Never did I think that 20 years later I would still be serving here. But God in His grace has taught me the importance of long-term vision in short term missions. Little did I know that God was using my short-term mission trips every summer to prepare me for long-term overseas service. 

Not everyone is called to be sent as a long-termer overseas. But we are all called to be partners in the gospel in whatever shape or form that may take, and short-term mission can help ignite a passion for missions both at home and on the field. Therefore, short-term missions can be of great value. 

Ioana and I set out in 2014 on a two year overseas mission here in Piatra Neamt. Two years have now become nine and a half years. So we are extremely thankful to God for you, for your long-term support, and your heart for overseas missions in Romania! 

If you'd like to get involved in a short-term mission trip, check out ECM's short-term mission programmes, or get in touch with another MAP Midlands member mission agency!