Short-Term Missions:
Is it worth the Risk?
Webster's Definition: "Risk: the possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger."
Everything we do in life involves risk. There is risk in:
Webster's Definition: "Risk: the possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger."
Everything we do in life involves risk. There is risk in:
— Sitting too much or exercising too much.
— Eating too much or not eating enough.
— Driving a car or being a passenger in a car.
— Going to work or not going to work.
— Taking prescribed medication or choosing not to take that medication.
— Having surgery or choosing not to have surgery.
— Investing hard-earned money or keeping cash under the mattress.
Every day, people engage in activities placing them at risk. As they choose to participate in those activities, they are choosing which risks and what level of risk they are willing to take.
Being a Christian is often a risk in itself, but actively sharing God's Word, even though it is what God has commanded, adds personal risk. By sharing faith within homes and communities, Christians face risk from rejection to persecution. Traveling the world, sharing God's Word, has even greater risks. MOST Ministries has responded to the command of Christ to "go and make disciples of all nations." This is accomplished by involving other Christians and enabling them to respond to God's call to serve the nations. Every time believers reach out in the Name of Christ, we are accepting the risk that is involved, whether at home or on the other side of the world.
MOST Ministries' purpose is to reach people around the world in the Name of Christ while keeping our highest priority on the safety and well being of our team members. Over the years, we have developed and updated office and field procedures regarding safety issues. Our staff and team leaders are trained in these procedures and have numerous resources available. However, as stated above, everything that we do carries risks, and certainly, bringing the Word of Christ to the nations is no exception. Every country, every city, every village and every project has its own type and level of risks. MOST Ministries makes every attempt to choose locations and projects that are of reasonable risk to ourselves and our team members.
Risk and level of risk are often very difficult to determine no matter where we are or what we are doing, but it is especially difficult to determine when traveling and serving in a foreign country. Our procedure is to obtain information from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, the U.S. Embassy and the missionary or host that we are serving within the country to which we are traveling. We take all Public Announcements and Travel Warnings very seriously, however, that is not the only information from which we make a decision. We hold the direct information from the missionary/host very highly and are in regular contact with them right up to the time of departure. Whenever there is serious concern regarding travel to a particular country, we also are in communication with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Missions. A decision is then made by the CEO of MOST Ministries, in cooperation with the Team Administrator, in-country missionary and the advisors at Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Missions, whether or not to continue the team. Our goal is to accomplish the mission that has been established, but not at undue personal risk to the team members. However, we do understand that the type and level of risk that is acceptable varies from individual to individual, and team members, therefore, must also make their own decision.
It is important that each team member is aware of the current civil and political situation within the country to which they will be traveling. (On-Line-Resources) Information received from the missionary/host within the country regarding safety issues will be shared with team members so that they can include this information while determining risk levels. If, at any time, MOST Ministries determines the risk factors are not acceptable for a particular country or location and cancels a team, we will make every effort to return whatever monies we can that have not already been spent on your behalf. If a team member makes the decision to cancel participation on a team for whatever reason (safety or otherwise), the MOST Ministries Cancellation Policy will be followed. This policy is also found above the Team Member signature on the MOST Ministries Registration Form.
On the Online Resources page, we have listed the Web site addresses for the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy. It is important that each team member be aware of the current civil and political situation within the country to which they will be traveling. Information received from the missionary/host within the country regarding safety issues will be shared with team members so that they can include this information while determining risk levels.