What Is Mid-Term Missions?

Want to get started? Click here for our MTM 6-step process.

An Introduction to Mid-Term Missions:

Many thousands of people have now participated in one form of Short-Term Mission or another, for some of these individuals a spark has been set into tinder, their participation has meant that they are ready to consider further extended cross-cultural engagement. The plans are varied: some people are investigating whether or not they want to consider long-term mission, some are simply travelers seeking the adventure of travel, others are hoping to visit overseas friends, many participants are in the middle of a change in life and are looking for the next steps.

Although the classic definition of a Short-Term Missionary involves anyone in mission for two years or less, today it is more common for people to define Short-Term Mission as two or three week guided trips by small teams. Following the experience of a Short-Term team-based mission, there are often individuals who are interested in pursuing further missions opportunities. They may get in touch with their hosts, inquiring about the possibility of return and further volunteering.

For the purposes of distinction between Short Term Mission, which tend to focus on teams engaging in international work for approximately 2-4 weeks, and Long-Term Missionaries, who plan to ‘start-over’ in the host culture; we have termed these individuals, “Mid-Termers”. Most Mid-Termers tend to volunteer for an approximate time of one month to one year, are self-supported financially, and work in a support role to a present missionary or other host.

These new ‘Mid-Termers’ are often highly motivated and dramatically untrained, their desire quickly outstrips their experience. Conversations with hosts have lead to mixed reviews. Some feel that Mid-Term Missionaries (MTM) bring some benefit to their hosts, while others are concerned that they are merely a difficult addition to the host’s already considerable duties. In most cases there is miscommunication of expectations and misunderstandings from both sides, expectations for preparation is low. In fact, both the MTM as well as the host is often unaware of for what, or how they should prepare to work with one another.

Preparation:

The STMnetwork recognizes that intercultural preparation is far more than information about projects, travel preparation, developing your testimony or relating to cultural differences. Great preparation will form Mid-Term Missionaries ready to experience the joys and sorrows involved in the complex work with others of a different worldview. Participants will be prepared through a variety of methods to a healthy awareness of their amateur understanding, yet assured enough to participate with their Godly strength into helpful international ministry work.

To this end – and facing into the complexity of preparing the wide range of mid-term candidates separated by factors such as geographical distance, age, anticipated time-on-field, destination, and previous experience – the STMnetwork is leading the way forward in effective Mid-Termer preparation.

How Ready is Ready?

Although it is impossible to develop a simple formula to use for preparing all Mid-Termers, there are many common issues that previous Mid-Term Missionaries suggest are important for everyone to know.

• Information they wish they had been aware of prior to their departure.
• Questions that they had wished they had clarified with on-ground partners
• Mind-sets they wish they had cultivated prior to going
• Assistance through the very complex world of return and re-integration

Take A Survey:

After completing the initial application and necessary intake forms, each applicant will take our “Surveyed Enough To Be Dangerous” MTM Survey. The purpose of our survey is to serve as a tool to confirm the areas where you have already well prepared, as well as an opportunity to help you discover the areas where you need to spend more time in preparation.

The Mid-Termer training process involves the potential MTM, Host and a trained STMnetwork Facilitator to tailor-make a training program for each MTM. Preparation will take place through methods such as time with experts (in-person or phone), core-reading, available seminars, movies, surveys, cultural events, contact with host and more.

Using Prepared Just Enough To Be Dangerous: The Mid-Termers Guide To Mission as their guide, the facilitator will implement a preparation process specific to an individual MTM participant.

Want to get started? Click here for our MTM 6-step process.