In Defense of Short-Term Missions

Guest Post by Dr. Christopher Wang, EMAS Canada Board Chair

 

A friend once asked me, “Do short-term missions trips actually lead to any good?” I had just returned from an overseas trip. As I start my role as chair of the board at EMAS, I have had to ask a similar question. On the one hand, I have been with EMAS for over 12 years and during this time, I have had the privilege of taking part in several short-term missions (STM). Over and over again, I have personally witnessed the physical healings and spiritual transformations that happen on STM.  Yet, on the other hand, there is a growing pushback against STM, even among Christians. Books like “When Helping Hurts” by Corbett and Fikkert outline several common criticisms of STM and paint a bleak picture for those who seek to do STM well. So before I took on my current role, I asked myself a crucial question: 

Do I actually believe in STM? 

After some research and reflection, I have come to a fairly unhelpful answer: it depends. I think we must constantly examine ourselves and the STM that we participate in. Some critiques against STM touch on important themes and they are worth hearing as they invite humility and growth. But to dismiss short-term medical missions entirely is to overlook the biblical themes of compassion, healing, and sending that have defined the Church’s mission from its beginning. Furthermore, I have often wondered whether the pushback against STM has deterred many  from missions in general and I have questioned whether there is an element of spiritual warfare at play. Is it possible that Satan is amplifying the anti-STM voices, especially among youth, to stall the advancement of the kingdom of God? As an antithesis to this, allow me to share my two cents about how STM can be done well. 

1. Short-Term Trips Provide Essential, Immediate Care

Many have distinguished relief work from development work and suggested that there is only a role for STM in providing immediate relief. Indeed, even secular organizations like Doctors Without Borders justify their temporary presence through relief work. But I feel there may be a Biblical basis for STM in providing essential care. Jesus consistently responded to immediate physical needs, even as He was, “just passing through.” In Luke 8, He heals a woman suffering not only from a physical ailment, but also social rejection and numerous other forms of stigma. Recognizing the complex social background for this woman’s suffering, Jesus still chooses to heal first and heal quickly. STM may not adequately address all the systemic issues leading to poverty and suffering, but they align with Christ’s pattern of responding to urgent needs with compassion.

2. They Witness to the Holistic Love of Christ

Jesus’s ministry integrated healing and proclamation (Matthew 4:23). He cared for bodies and souls together. STM must follow this same pattern—not reducing people to “spiritual projects,” but honoring the wholeness of human need. When a patient is treated, prayed for, and welcomed with dignity, it can be a powerful witness of the gospel in action. This echoes James 2:15–16, which warns against blessing people with words while ignoring their physical needs. Medical STM models this complementary nature or words and deeds and should remain a powerful tool for evangelism worldwide. 

3. They Strengthen and Support Local Healthcare Workers

The healthiest STM models reflect the “body of Christ” imagery of 1 Corinthians 12—many parts working together, not independently. Short-term missionaries, when submitting to local leadership and partnering with grassroots organisations, become an extension of that body. They help meet seasonal demand, provide specialized skills, equip local clinics, and encourage Christian healthcare workers who may feel isolated. Paul modeled this kind of mutual strengthening on his missionary journeys (Acts 14:21–22). He came for a time, encouraged believers, equipped leaders, and moved on—but as a result the local church grew stronger.

4. They Mobilize the Church and Shape Future Callings

God often uses short, catalytic moments to call His people into long-term obedience. Isaiah encounters God in a single vision (Isaiah 6:1–8). Paul’s missionary calling is sparked in a brief encounter on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:3–6). STM can serve the same role as they reveal global needs, awaken compassion and stir a desire to serve among those who embark on the trip. Specifically, there is a role for the mentorship of youth when travelling with veteran missionaries. However, there should be an explicit focus on discipleship, even at the cost of productivity. By actively participating and “praying to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38), the impact of a STM can have a ripple effect on several generations. 

5. Short-Term Missions Reflect the Incarnational Heart of God

One of the central truths of the gospel is that God came near (John 1:14). Jesus didn’t heal from a distance—He entered villages, touched the sick, and walked among ordinary people. The Christian lawyer, Bryan Stevenson believes that, “it’s actually in proximity to the poor that we hear things that we won’t otherwise hear, that we’ll see things we won’t otherwise see [...] The things we hear and see are critical to our knowledge and our capacity to problem solve.”

In an age where money can easily be sent at a distance, STM provides a platform to engage locals and build close relationships with them. This kind of embodied compassion is profoundly countercultural and deeply biblical.

In short, STM may not solve every healthcare challenge or address all the reasons for poverty and suffering in the world. We have much to learn about how to make our impact more equitable and sustainable. We must be our own harshest critics in order to refine the work of STM, but not end it, sharpen the work, but not silence it. Satan would be all too happy if that were the case. STM are not perfect, but then again, what ministry is? By God’s grace and with the help of the Holy Spirit, Short-term Missions can be a powerful expression of Christ’s love. And it is love grounded in Scripture, guided by humility, and rooted in partnership that can make an impact in the Kingdom of God.