The following article comes from some of the materials given to those who participate in an NAB Gateway short-term mission trip. We thought it would be useful to share now given the plethora of mission trips that take place in the summer, as well as The Gathering that recently finished earlier this month.
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By Wayne Stapleton
VP of Cross-Cultural Engagement and Emerging Leader Engagement
As we prepare to enter into a foreign country on a short-term mission trip, we train with excitement to enter into a different cultural context. We go with humility because we are going to be guests in a different culture. We prepare to be “on mission” for God in a different environment.
As part of NAB Gateway training with short-term mission trips, Randy Schmor describes three ways we might cope as we re-enter our home culture after these sorts of trips: Isolate (be alienated), Rebel (be angry), or Imitate (be re-socialized). But he also highlights a fourth option: be proactive. Certainly during a period of de-stabilization due to the tremendous differences we have experienced in a foreign culture, when we return home we need time to adjust, time to get back into our typical rhythms. But when we do, in what ways can the things we experienced really help us grow? We grow when we proactively see others the way Jesus sees them.
We are no less on mission when we land back home. Even though we re-enter our host culture when we come home, the way we see others should not really change from how we saw others on the trip. We have many opportunities to interact cross-culturally at home: in our neighborhoods, on our jobs, at our local stores and restaurants. Cross-cultural mission trips are great opportunities to experience other cultures, and they are most impactful not only when they change us as guests in other cultures, but also in our disposition toward guests in our home culture.
Work that happens on foreign soil is not meant to stay there. It is meant to continue at home. The mission work that happened on foreign soil happened in us. How can we continue the work? God can use our experiences abroad on his mission to prepare us for missional assignments in our own communities. While we all believe this, we also must admit that unless we are open to his movement, we can miss opportunities.
I have a friend who went on a short-term evangelism mission trip in Colombia. . . .
The most recent issue of TouchPoint is out now. This newsletter from the NAB Women’s Connection Team includes great resources and stories for and by women. In this issue, you will find:
- An introduction to the newest Women’s Connection Team member, Lyndell Campbell Réquia.
- A profile on the work of White Cross Canada.
- A book review from Monica Goodnough.
- And more!
Click on the link below to read the newest copy. You can also sign up to receive a copy directly in your inbox.
Read the summer 2025 touchpoint
Blue Ocean is a transformative one-year learning experience. You’ll be part of a cohort that journeys together throughout the year, exploring what it means to join God on mission, be formed into the character of Christ, and dwell in your neighborhood – sharing and living out the Gospel. We meet three times a year in three different cities across the United States and Canada for multi-day retreats. Blue Ocean includes pastors, leaders, and regional ministers from across the NAB. Each cohort represents a cross-section of regions, church sizes, and ministry styles. The discussions are both encouraging and challenging.
Module 1
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Dates: October 21–24, 2025
Topic: Missional Theology – Joining in with the God of Mission
Module 2
Location: TBD
Dates: February 1–4, 2026
Topic: Missional Formation – Becoming Like Christ
Module 3
Location: Medina, Ohio
Dates: May 5–8, 2026
Topic: A Missional People – Becoming a Sent People
There is no cost for Blue Ocean, though participants are responsible for covering their travel and accommodation costs. All other costs are covered by the NAB.
Sign Up for Blue Ocean 2025/26
While we await the final episode of this season of the NAB Stories podcast, if you have taken the time to listen the podcast this season, would you be kind enough to fill out a survey using the link below? It shouldn’t take more than 3–5 minutes.
And keep your eyes out for news about the next season. There are more podcast episodes to come!