Good intentions aren’t always enough in missions. When churches and individuals go on short-term teams to communities in developing countries, they need to think carefully about the messages they send – not just verbally, but also through their actions. In this interview, Steve Corbett shares three mistakes to avoid when participating in short-term missions.

Other topics in this interview include the distinction between relief and development, choosing asset-based development rather than need-based development, and investing missions money wisely.

Steve Corbett is a featured speaker at Summit 2010. He is an Assistant Professor of Community Development at Covenant College and serves as a Distance Learning Trainer for the Chalmers Center. Steve Corbett co-authored When Helping Hurts with Brian Fikkert.

Hear Steve Corbett speak at Summit 2010, February 26-28 in Phoenix, AZ. Join us for a weekend of learning and networking, plus worship led by Sara Groves, whose album Fireflies and Songs was named 2009 Best Album of the Year by Christianity Today. Register by January 10 for the best deal!

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Alisa Schmitz answers questions about church partnerships. When a church in the U.S. partners with a community in the developing world, life change occurs on both sides of the relationship. The overseas community can be released from poverty, and the U.S. church can also learn and grow. Ultimately, church partnerships exist to bring about the Kingdom of God.

In this episode…

1. The goal of long-term church partnerships
2. Preparation for short-term mission trips and ongoing relationships (Matthew 10:9-10)
3. Honoring the people we are serving (Ruth 2:15-16)
4. Keys to ongoing, vibrant relationships

Learn more about Community-2-Community partnerships – long-term relationships between American churches and communities in the developing world.

Alisa Schmitz is Senior Director of Advocates and Short-term Teams Ministry at Food for the Hungry.

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The story of how one missionary’s theology was forever changed by a grocery store in Africa. In this humorous and insightful story, Dwight Jackson describes how he came to embrace holistic ministry.

Dr. Dwight Jackson works for Food for the Hungry as Country Director in Rwanda and Burundi and Regional Director of the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

If you would like a special version of this story to share during a sermon or lesson, e-mail us.

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Anne McCain shares eight reasons for Christians to develop personal relationships with the poor beyond reading the newspaper and sending money.

1. Christ ministered to people personally – Mark 7:31-35
2. It reminds us that the masses of poor people are real people
3. It allows those in poverty to give to us
4. It impassions our prayers
5. We see God bring change
6. It challenges us personally in our own walk with God – James 2:5
7. It motivates us to action
8. Christ tells us that when we care personally for the poor, we are caring personally for him – Matthew 25:31-40

Request more information about the Community to Community program for church partnerships.

Anne McCain is Eastern Regional Manager of the Advocate Ministry at Food for the Hungry.

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Local churches have the ability and responsibility to serve as agents of change in their communities. Celeste Brown of Food for the Hungry shares principles from the Church Strengthening Program in El Alto, Bolivia.

Hunger Corps is the overseas missionary sending arm of Food for the Hungry. 

Biblical basis for congregations serving as agents of change.

Ephesians 4:11-13
Isaiah 58:6-12

Methodology of church strengthening is discussed.

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