Maximizing Your Mission Trip Experience

Matt and Julie Cooper



Matt Cooper with Back2Back Ministries was on the Epic Conference Call today. As expected, he knocked it out of the park. He now has a new fan in Jeanne. Here were my highlights from our time with him...

1. He answer the question, "Are short-term missions even helpful?" He told the story of how the kids at the orphanage wanted to make scrapebooks, as they had seen some of the women on the base make. The ladies were worried. They wondered, "What pictures would they have to put in them?" Long and short of it, when they went to do them, a girl pulled out a box of pictures of herself with the various teams that had come through. These were some of her prized possessions, most memorable moments. I loved the way he answered the question through a story ... totally dug it!

2. He did this cool visual with a clock, talking about Experience, Reflection, Changed Heart and Action. Often times we don't go any further beyond a "Changed Heart," basically the moutnain top expereince of a mission trip. He said the mountain top experience will be gone within 30 days, if we don't help them with "Action" steps upon their return.

3. He said that icebreakers and team building exercises are good, but serving together beforehand is even better ... have them do a Habitate project or something like it before they get there. Get them together and focus on something other than themsleves. Teams that bond well beforehand hit the ground running. Those that don't, it takes 3-4 days of their trip just to do that.

4. He encouraged them to find an organization that will take care of the details, so they can do ministry and not worry about what's for dinner and who is going to get it. I don't think he realizes how hard it is to find organizations that do that well. Back2Back has beat every organization I've worked with hands down.

5. If possible, get pictures and names of kids at the ophanages/ministry location ahead of time so that they can pray, prepare, etc. By doing so, a bond is formed even before your students get there.

6. He talked about making sure to know the concerns of your parents. It affirmed my "know and answer the questions before they are ever asked" mentality.

7. He mentioned "mission trips are pressure cookers for growth." Amen. Liked that saying.

8. Look for ways to involve other students and people in your church, to make them feel more a part of the trip.

9. Expect to be ministered to. As you pour out, you'll be poured into as well.

10. Keep great track of travel documents. If you're not good at it, admit it ... and hand off the job.

The only thing I cringed at is when he said, "Be flexible. We've found that students do fine with change, but adults don't." I totally knew what he meant when he said it, but have found organizaitons to use that line when they haven't done their homework. Fortunately, Back2Back is not one of them. They do the front end work, so youth ministries can maximize their mission trip expereince.

Well done Matt Cooper! You, Julie, Bill and Heather are loved and have fans in the ATL.