New trend hurting agency short term missions programs

USA (MNN) — The number of people going on short term mission trips continue to increase, but there is a change that could hurt mission agencies.

JAARS, an organization that speeds Bible translation by providing quality service with Wycliffe Bible Translators and others, says they’re actually seeing a decline in the number of people wanting to join their teams. JAARS Short Term Mission Director Daryl Beltz. “I’ve actually had a chance to talk to quite a number of pastors around the U-S and it seems that churches are developing their own short term missions programs and so more and more people are going with their own church groups. Less and less are looking to Para church organization like us,” says Beltz.

Beltz says he’s facing quite the dilemma this year. He says, “I’ve got these two trips planned for Mexico this summer and right now I’ve only got four people signed up and we’d like to have four or five times that many signed up. That’s a real prayer concern for us.”

Bible Translation is key to seeing the lost come to Christ. So, Beltz says traveling with JAARS is important. “It allows people to get out and see Bible translation first hand, gets people involved themselves physically. We provide people with that opportunity during short term missions,” says Beltz.

Go to our Short Term Missions website, STMDB.org to get more information, or call JAARS at (704) 843-6241.