Short Term Missions Trip Strategy

…and Sowing Seeds

The kingdom of God is all about sowing seeds and watching them grow. Maybe this is why Jesus  talked about seeds so much. Jesus was the SEED of Abraham, the fulfillment-in-person of God’s stated purpose to “bless all the families of the earth.”

Jesus referred to Himself, using the seed analogy, when He stated in John 12:24

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

The fist time I read that and the penny dropped, I realized that the death of Jesus was not simply a one time event that would be recorded in history and forgotten, but a springboard to action for millions of Christ followers who would step out and sow their lives as seeds—to “throw down”a and commit to be a blessing at whatever the cost.

Think about it. A seed is is a tiny thing loaded with potential–and finds fruition only as it is sown in faith. Once that happens, God goes work and brings life out of darkness. In time what is hidden below the surface, known only to us and God, burgeons for all to see.

Jesus described this incredible kingdom phenomenon in Mark 4:26-28

“This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

I believe in these two verses we find the key to a successful missions trip to Mexico, Australia, or anywhere. Missionaries, whether serving long term or on short term missions trip, go as harvest workers. As such, they will sow seed, they will work and water the ground, they will watch and pray, they will trust God for increase, and when the time is ripe they will harvest. That’s it. That is what missions is all about.

How do we sow seed? We can speak God’s word (proclamation),  do acts of kindness (demonstration),  plant ourselves into a community of people and ask God to shine through us (incarnation), and sow prayers in the dark,  private closet-moments as we lift those we love before God’s throne (intercession),  banking on the promise that

“the Father who sees in secret, will reward you openly.” Matt. 6:4

I once heard a remarkable analogy from a remarkable Christian missionary by the name of Danny Lehmann that I would like to pass on to you. According to Danny, every missionary is a “harvest worker” who goes out into God’s harvest field wearing a workman’s belt.On this belt is strapped a bag of seed, a trowel, a watering can, and a sickle. Each of these tools are vital to his work, but which tool is used at any given tome depends upon the stage of work at hand.

Seed sowing is the initial stage, and is of course  absolutely vital if there is going to be any life or growth at all. How people to need to hear God’s words spoken and see  His love demonstrated! A short term missions trip is an opportunity to sow seeds that will grow for eternity. Youth missions trips, by and large, are seed sowing enterprises! Missions in Mexico are seed-beds that are bursting with the fruit that comes from the love and passion of young seed sowers!

But in many cases the tool most necessary may be the watering can. How people need the refreshing water of encouragement and understanding! Perhaps the trowel is most needed, to dig deeper and open the ground up to receive the seed and the water!

Ultimately, the sickle will be used to harvest the crop. In evangelistic terms, this is generally viewed in evangelical circles as the point of “conversion,” never to be under estimated or neglected. And yet, certainly only one aspect of harvest work!  As someone who served a minister of evangelism for many years in the local church and has led missions in Mexico, Asia. Australia and Europe, I can say I have a strong belief in the power of a God encounter via the simple proclamation and demonstration of the gospel. Youth missions trips provide such an opportunity.  But over the years I have come to appreciate the fact that conversion is process that is in motion long before the sickle is employed. Think about it: “first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head” ALL happens before the harvest! This should be a sobering parable for all missionaries—and should open up a whole new understanding to us as to what kingdom work is really all about.