We are closing out the short series on our philosophy of mission with short-term missions. Unfortunately, too often short-term mission trips can focus more on the missionaries than the mission, more on what happens in the short-term than what God is doing in the field long-term. We believe in short-term mission trips, and it is our desire to steward them well for the long-term welfare of God’s work in Haiti as well as the seed sown in the hearts of those God sends.

5. Short-Term Mission with Long Term Commitment

The reason we stress church-based partnerships is because we desire short-term missions with a long-term commitment. Some of the work is relief-based and short-term. Other work is mid-term focusing on community development, while others still is long-term focused on reform. Those of us who live outside Haiti are often unconscious of the realities in Haiti unless we see them first-hand. Our efforts are most effective when they fit within an enduring template with long-term commitment whether in Haiti or not.

Realistically speaking, the change Haiti needs may take decades, if not longer. Our approach is to connect gospel labors with the purposes of God for the church in Haiti. Churches who partner through The Haiti Collective are encouraged to consider how God might use them to impact Haiti through generational change one mission trip, one investment, one pastor, one church at a time.