Short-Term Missions: Rewarding Ventures
Calvary Pastors Share Insights on the Value of Short-Term Missions At Home and Abroad
Photos by Tom Price and Pastor Allen Victor
This story was first published in the Fall 2025 issue of Calvary Chapel Magazine, Issue 105.
Editor’s Note: When I launched Calvary Chapel Magazine in 1999, there was ongoing debate about the value of short-term missions. A leader from India questioned the wisdom of spending money on travel, food, and lodging, arguing that those funds could be used more efficiently to reach people for Christ. Others contended that investing in short-term teams was invaluable—igniting believers’ hearts with a passion for spreading the Good News. By sending His disciples into the field, Jesus demonstrated support for going—whether short-term or long. In this issue, we’ve asked Calvary Chapel pastors with a heart for missions to share their perspectives.
Injecting both excitement and sometimes much needed encouragement into the hosting communities around the world, short-term mission trips not only lead workers into the field of harvest but also bring rewarding benefits to each person involved. In 2004, a short-term mission team from CC Fredericksburg, VA, hosted a Vacation Bible School at Calvary Chapel Esztergom in Hungary. Among the children attending was 6-year-old Angelo Horváth (top photo), was deeply impacted by the Gospel and developed a sincere love for Jesus. Angelo continued growing in his faith at CC Esztergom and today serves as the church’s assistant pastor (bottom photo).
Every believer is challenged to step out in faith, to share the love of Christ,” exhorted Allen Victor, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, FL, addressing his fellowship following his return from a March trip to the Dominican Republic. “Dare to go. Whether through local outreach, international missions, or supporting those who go, every believer is called to be a laborer in God’s harvest.”
Assistant Pastor Angelo Horvath (left) and Lead Pastor Laci Gyügyi (right) of CC Esztergom, Hungary.
Jim Turnage, associate pastor of discipleship at Calvary Chapel Northeast Columbia, located in Columbia, SC, noted, “Short-term trips serve as a vital gateway to exposure and connection with missions, igniting a broader vision for God’s work worldwide. They foster spiritual growth, global connection, and practical impact,” he explained. He and his wife, Rachel, served as missionaries through Cadence International on the field in Germany, Japan, and Thailand for 20 years before returning to the States and joining the staff at CC Northeast Columbia.
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
Going
Pastor Allen Victor, CC West Jacksonville, FL
“Go into all the world and make disciples …” These first words from Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 include us; it’s a command for all believers. His heart ached for the people in the cities and the villages, and He called His disciples to recognize the vast harvest of souls in need, urging them to pray for more laborers to be sent into the field.
Jesus had compassion, a feeling of sympathy and concern for others, which doesn’t stop there. It leads to a desire to alleviate suffering. When you love, you give—it compels you to go. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16a).
When we go, we see the condition of the people. Are you willing to go? I’m not asking you to worry about how you’re going to get there. Go where? Go across the street to your neighbor, the mall, the prisons, the widows and orphans, the streets—go somewhere.
(Left): Assistant Pastor Angelo Horvath (left) and Lead Pastor Laci Gyügyi (right) of CC Esztergom.
Seeing & Moved with Compassion
Mission means seeing, understanding. Seeing sparks compassion. In the Dominion Republic, I had a spark, but I didn’t have true compassion until I saw their condition, people who had fallen below the poverty level. Hearing their stories makes you look at people differently. Are you planning to consider—at least pray about—seeing the conditions of the people?
In the Dominican Republic, most are very religious. They know about God, but the religion they’re growing up in doesn’t tell them how to have a relationship with Him, how to be saved. I was able to lead a few people to Christ just based on knowing that. Jesus looked at the people, too; they were very religious, went to the Temple, but did not know God. Jesus had compassion for them because they truly are sheep without a shepherd.
We were able to knock on doors in the local community, get to meet the people. They’re very open and hospitable … ready to sit and talk with you. Talking to them and hearing their stories moves our hearts. Are we willing to allow our hearts to be moved with compassion?
Praying & Doing
Prayers move God’s heart, but it also moves our hearts. In Matthew Chapter 10, Jesus sent the disciples out—they were the answer to prayer. When you pray, They’re lost, Lord, do something, He responds: “You go.” Whenever we bring a concern to the Lord, it touches His heart; but then He touches our hearts, and He will send us out.
Prayer also reminds us that God is our provider—He is not broke. He will equip you and give you what you need to go. I double-dog dare you to pray and see what God will do.
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. These twelve Jesus sent out. Matthew 10:1, 5a
Jesus gave them the power to go. Sometimes we say, God, I don’t think I’m good enough. I don’t know if I’m able. When God said to Moses, “What do you have in your hand?” Moses responded, “I have a staff.” And God used that. What did He tell David [facing Goliath], who had a couple of rocks? Whatever God has given you, He can use it.
Turning a balloon into an animal is a Gospel tool. I became a balloon artist, learning this after five minutes on YouTube. Why? Because God was going to use the very thing I had in my hands to bring a smile to a kid’s face and then share the Gospel. It’s not complicated.
A paint brush is also a Gospel tool. We painted, and that brightened someone’s day. Can you use a hammer? God can use you on the mission field. Stop worrying about what you don’t know. I don’t know how to pray with people. Guess what, you’re going to learn. I don’t know enough Scriptures. He’s going to teach you; He’s going to give you the words. You’ll be amazed at what your “little thing,” your gifting, can accomplish in the Lord’s house.
Calling, Connection, & Camaraderie
Pastor Jim Turnage, CC Northeast Columbia, SC
Many new missionaries trace their calling to such experiences, where firsthand encounters with diverse cultures and needs spark transformative life change. A 2019 study by the Barna Group found that 60% of long-term missionaries were initially inspired by short-term trips.
Our trips have broadened our church’s perspective, moving believers beyond local concerns to embrace a global mission. They cultivate a vision for outreach as the congregation hears stories and sees photos from participants, inspiring prayer and financial support. Life change is evident as individuals return with renewed faith, often shifting career paths or deepening their commitment to service. For example, a young adult might leave a professional path to pursue ministry after witnessing poverty in a developing nation.
Short-term trips—while requiring extra effort and sometimes duplicating work that local resources could handle more cost-effectively—bring unique benefits. International visitors inject excitement into the host communities, breaking monotony and fostering enthusiasm. A missionary in Kenya once noted, “When teams arrive, it’s like a breath of fresh air—everyone feels energized.”
These trips also connect locals to the global church, reinforcing their sense of belonging to a worldwide body of believers.
Critics argue that short-term trips can be inefficient. However, the intangible benefits—spiritual renewal, cross-cultural relationships, and missionary resilience—often outweigh these concerns. When paired with humility and collaboration with local leaders, short-term missions are the bridge of a global biblical community.
Onsite missionaries gain encouragement from the support and camaraderie of teams, combating isolation in remote areas. A missionary in Thailand shared, “Seeing familiar faces from home reminds me I’m not alone.” Additionally, these trips provide a platform to cast vision to support churches and to share updates and needs—sustaining long-term work. This mutual exchange builds partnerships as churches invest in projects and missionaries gain resources.
Pastor Allen Victor (right) of Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, FL, brings joy to children in the Dominican Republic by creating balloon animals during a community outreach event. Surrounded by families and volunteers, Pastor Allen and his team took time to share God’s love in practical ways—through fellowship, fun, and personal interaction that reflected the heart of Christ in action.
Thank you for reading! If this story inspired you, we invite you to partner with us in continuing the ministry God started over 27 years ago. We appreciate your prayerful consideration in joining us to reach more souls for Jesus.
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