The Short Term Edge
There is a common conversation in Christian circles about whether or not short term mission teams are effective in the areas they are serving, or if they bring an inconsistent message to the people they serve and create additional work for anyone serving long term in the area. Here at SEND North, we commit to our communities long term, however, it would be impossible to have the support we need for infrastructure and encouragement without short term volunteers serving with us. Because seasons are so short in the Far North, our members have a lot of work to pack into the summer months, and “short termers” are vital to the completion of such projects.
Seasonal volunteers serve many capacities all around Alaska and Canada, including Bible camp staffers, church builders, firewood choppers, maintenance workers, direct ministry partners, Vacation Bible School leaders, and much more. We are always amazed at the willingness of individuals and groups to push their comfort zones, use their talents productively, and embrace the remoteness of the Far North. In addition to what they do
, volunteers uplift our members with their excitement and wisdom that can often bring fresh interaction and perspective. It enlivens the work we do long term to see people enjoy and appreciate the people and the beauty of Alaska and Canada.
Before volunteers begin their work, we encourage team leads to provide some basic cultural training of what to expect from the culture and environment they will be working in. One individual who spent time serving Alaska native college students reflected on the subtle cultural differences he was not expecting, including different mannerisms and interests. “The students were completely comfortable with silence while being together, which I was not used to. It grew on me after time though, and I become more accustomed to sitting with them during meals and just being together. They also started to laugh at some of my jokes even though our senses of humor were different. Having some of these social compromises made it easier for us to trust each other when the bigger conversations happened.” Understanding and interacting with these differences can show our desire to know each person for who they are and lowers the barrier between the different cultures.
While volunteers do not often come up specifically for direct outreach, many still are able to interact with community members and form friendships. Thanks to the growing connection of social media, they are able to stay in communication with those that they meet during their time of service. Even after they leave, volunteers often become outlets for remote individuals to reach out to when they are struggling or want to talk to someone that is removed from the place where they live. This availability and influence is especially vital with teenagers. Though social media does not replace face-to-face interaction, it provides an ever-growing web of support for our communities that allows individuals to receive discipleship and encouragement in their faith from many different angles.
In addition to the direct ministry to our members and communities, short term volunteers become a potential bridge to individuals interested in long term service or church bodies seeking to support our work. SEND North continually seeks out those who believe in our mission of Gospel sharing and teaching local individuals to be discipleship leaders in their own families and towns. Being able to see the work we do and those we serve encourages people to seek out discipleship, cultivate it, and expand it. We continue to be blessed by those who follow God’s prompting to serve with us and offer encouragement. Thank you to our many volunteers who have made great connections possible through your service!
If you are interested in supporting our work monetarily, visit our page about financial support. If you are interested in becoming a short term volunteer or long term member, please visit our page on SEND North members. We look forward to working with you for the Kingdom!
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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