With international travel having been limited due to coronavirus, where does this leave short-term outreach? Has the familiar message of ‘stay home’ clashed with the command of the Great Commission to ‘go into all the world’? What options are we left with?

1. Pray

Maybe short-term outreaches are something you’ve not considered before. Or perhaps you were disappointed when yours was cancelled in 2020. Either way, hold your plans and ideas lightly and let God speak to you about how and where He wants to use you.

Is there a specific city, country or continent where you long to see Christ known? Pray for this people group.

Invest in communities spiritually through prayer before you ever meet or serve them practically.

2. Read

Read about the country you plan to go to. Discover more about the culture and deepen your understanding of a worldview that is different to your own. Learn about the major religions or ideologies in the region.

Spend time in God's word. Draw close to Him, memorise Scripture and remind yourself of the beauty of the Gospel. The Gospel that you need just as much as the community you're going to.

Read books on mission. Humble yourself under the groundwork that many others have done before you for the sake of the Gospel and be inspired by their testimonies.

You can find books to inform and inspire below. 

Browse Books

3. Fundraise

Start fundraising for your outreach! Stuck for ideas? Check out our top five fundraising ideas! Fundraising is a great way of raising awareness about a people group who don’t know Jesus. If you’ve already been fundraising for your outreach, why not raise a little more for the work and cause of OM?

Talk to your home church about your plans to go on outreach and ask them to partner with you in prayer as you prepare to go.

4. Prepare practically 

Pack early and make sure you've got the right clothing for the climate! Prepare your body in the days leading up to your outreach - eat healthily and make sure you're physically and mentally rested before you go.

Start learning the language - even a few simple phrases can help you meet people where they are, and show love and respect to the community you're going to.

5. Serve locally

Crossing borders for the Gospel is an urgent call for Jesus followers. But let’s also open our eyes to the many opportunities for cross-cultural mission in the UK.

Are there ways in which your church or local mission agencies are reaching out to least reached people groups in your area?

Join in with local outreach to see the Gospel shared with people on your doorstep who don’t know Jesus, as well as those on the other side of the world.

Explore short-term outreach options here