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This is super common and normative in our church settings, so don't feel too bad. To be clear, I'm super into short term trips and the investment to go is worth it, but the trips are best experienced when going to learn from and watch church planting missionaries working with unreached peoples such as ruclips.net/video/dsQhf96gbgw/видео.htmlsi=_--vNDbe3bBdFLqf Thank you for sharing your experience.

Thank you for the feedback! I'm a firm believer that bringing attention to the areas we need to improve on will only make our missions effort far more successful.

Thank you for sharing! That is encouraging to hear!

Thank you so much!

Thats a great idea! And practical.

Hey Heather! Thank for sharing with me! And I'm blessed to hear the video helped!

Thank you for letting me know! Please reach out with any questions!

Thank you for your feedback and for sharing! (To be honest this was a hard video for me to make and share... )I don't want to discourage anyone from helping others, but I do want to see better-thought out sustainable approaches.

Medical definitely seems like a practical way to help, from a faith based perspective I'd just love to shift the trips towards places we have a hard time getting access to.

Great question. My understanding in the team does personal time in prayer and Bible reading, then also times together, and then there is the house church meetings where that happens with locals. Perhaps reach out to www.livedead.org/ to learn more. (each team is going to look a bit different)

Feel free to send me a message here dmdworks.com/contact and we can see about a conversation

Hey Mark, thats amazing, please just consider dialing in on least reached countries within Africa. Check out Joshua Project for a gauge on what countries desperately need help hearing the Gospel.

You’re welcome! I’d definitely suggest going again but consider aiming for this type of trip: The Best Type of Mission Trip {Missionary Verified} ruclips.net/video/dsQhf96gbgw/видео.html

Thank you!

Hey Josh! Thank you for sharing. I hope so too!

Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful!

Thank you!!!

So this is complicated. And I’ve given it much thought over the last couple years, and here where is I stand on this question currently. (I’m open to other suggestions and viewpoints, but would want good data and well thought out scenarios) My understanding is that; Jesus statement has to do with nations (ethnos) which is best interpreted as ethnic people groups (not the same as all individuals which would be very narrow and the billions, nor the same as countries/nation states which is very broad and easy to check off as complete) although there are around 7,300 people groups considered unreached, there are only about 1,000 unengaged people groups….. (those with no known gospel or missionary work) and of the unengaged people groups it’s really hard to say how many of them have never in history received a Gospel message preached to them…. So we don’t know exactly where that line is or exactly how to track and measure it, to meet the benchmark of the criteria Jesus gave. It may have very well been met (although that doesn’t change the urgency for these 3 billion people to have access to the Gospel) but if it has not been met, then one would say work is closing in on and also should be directed towards engaging with these severely isolated people groups. Given that idea the number may not be near as immense as stated in your comment. Hope this helps!

@@backtodmd Yes I agree with Jesus referring to ethnic groups, and my understanding would be that every ethnic group in the world will have Christians, Bibles and Churches before the return of Christ. But this is a vast task - billions of people will need to be reached in places like Saudi Arabia which bans all churches, Indonesia which is made up of thousands of islands, and Bangladesh which has over 100 million mainly Muslim people. To get Bibles, Christians and build churches in these (and other nations) will require billions of dollars and (in my opinion) hundreds of years.

Oh. Nothing should surprise you, be new to you, be shocking, or revelatory. Because you’re a Christian?….. 🤔

Thanks for saying hi!

You're welcome! ✊

An app of sorts could be a really cool tool. I am aware of the cost reduction in sending locals. Currently I am torn on this...personally I like the idea of doing both, sending our own and helping them send theirs, BUT I've also heard really interesting counter arguments to this model, by missionaries on the field, of how although this makes tons of sense pragmatically/financially it still has other negative consequences and issues less witnessed unless you get deep into the work there and culture it propagates....(that was a terrible run on sentence) It seems the best approach still is to create healthy DMM work within strategic locations and setting them up to send/support their own too. Definitely a topic I'd like to explore more and understand better. Thank you for sharing!

have you heard of ROI Ministries?

@@waynv1835 no, can you tell me what this is?

Just saw it, looks interesting, will check it out!

@miperritopinon Let me emphasize that this is a really good question, that's really hard too. (and contentious Theologically) To be clear, I fear the answer is yes. First off, thank you for asking! Below is a "quick and unedited" position for my conviction here: I'm not a Calvinist. (Nor am a I die hard Armenian. I prefer to camp in the tension seen via scripture and I lean towards Arminianism) Disclaimer: I don't claim to fully know how that whole dilemma works (but I trust in the Grace and Mercy - of God to sort this out in a holy and just outcome). I think the easy road would be to stand with Calvinism and not worry about this. (and we can isolate enough verses for this position) But that stance just seems to contradict so many scriptures, meta narrative, and the urgency by which Jesus gave us the command and practice of the early Church. If that were not the concern (my position you asked about...) then why would Jesus deem it so urgent and worthwhile that men and women "go and make disciples among all nations", allowing them to suffer be martyred for this cause? (Just obedience to go for obedience sake? Or perhaps like Paul said below, their eternity is impacted by their opportunity to hear the Gospel? ... Thus an urgency would exist (not only a command) and a common sense reason to risk our lives (historically and now) for the sake of their access to Jesus. To another counter which will come..... No, I don't think this urgency hinges solely on us individually (but rather collectively) such as "if you don't go you're the reason......." I think this is a personal decision we must each individually grapple with and consider how is Jesus leading me to engage (Am I being obedient to his leading in my life right now?) (disciple making locally or going into the frontier) if not the frontier- how can I pray, give, and advocate in unity with this urgent mission. So each person should consider their unique part to play. Bible Verses that motivate me towards urgency around this issue: Romans 10:13-15 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f] 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? Acts 2:38 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Romans 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Of course Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. and more..... I'm certain this may have been way more than you cared to know about my position, but I feel it will be a recurring question from others and the counter to my position may be why so few Christians care deeply about 40% of the world without access to the Gospel. What do you think? I would love to hear your take.

@Scribeintheink Oh boy! I've spent plenty of time studying this OLD debate. I used to be die-hard on one side, and I tried so hard to get to the same conclusions on the other. I've arrived where I've arrived. And I intentionally have friends within both camps. I have though noticed a trend... the people who are so hell-bent on converting other Christians to their "very clear and right" theology (the Calvinist and Armenian Crusadors) often are the ones who really are doing very little disciple-making and often fail at being a great model of living and loving like Jesus. They are actually way more pharisee-like than Jesus-like in their culture of tribalism and eliteness. (Missing that another massive population of solid Christians can and simply do have an opposing view and can still love Jesus and follow Him no differently) To say that I am denying the very clear teaching.... of those doctrines. My friend I am adhering to scripture and working to include it all, harmonizing it, embracing it, not cherry picking it, working it out with good Hermeneutics and exposition, and refusing to be persuaded by the pressure of men to conform to their ultimatum of doctrinal statements. But hey, if its working for you, go with it... But I would ask that you really take the time to consider your heart, your approach and focus, and if Jesus and the apostles would have ever wanted to see this question leading to Calvinism/Arminianism so emphasized (fought over) in the very first place. Cheers, Alex

@Scribeintheink Calvinist or Arminian, do you deny Jesus’ command to go and make disciples of all nations? If your theology gets in the way of this clear command of Christ, then I would either question your theology or your practical application to it, I know staunch Calvinists who give their life for the cause of evangelism and missions! I’m not a Calvinist but if your theology keeps you from obeying Jesus’ command to preach the gospel and weep over 3 billion lost souls who have been denied access to the gospel, then there’s a problem.

@jamescook5617 Thank you for sharing your insight. I would love to engage a counter towards your take. See below: No one (at least I hope so) is saying that Canada / USA needs more missionaries for the few "unreached" people groups there. You are there and many other Christians which are more than capable who live within their proximity. And that people group certainly has plenty of "access" around them - although few of them currently follow Jesus. (if anything in this case, the church close to them needs to stop playing church and engage in being the church) (as far as SBC church or other denominations presentations.. I dont know..... I will say I have sadly seen many church groups exagerate unreached by meaning that a group of people simply dont have their preferred version of theology/denominational churches. This is misleading and saddening) As for exagerated because people groups can just speak a primary language. I believe you miss the point. Remove the topic of specific people groups (they are just helpful for tracking and more dialed in work) It is STILL much of world's total population that lives in regions, countries, cities, villages, etc that have so few Christians that they have limited to no opportunity to access the Gospel. (see the link to a country like Iraq below and then just look at countries throught the 10/40 region.... these are not isolated red people groups amongst a sea of green (like Canada, USA, El Salvador, Ghana, etc) These are all the people groups in each country which are all in the red. Primary languages and bigger populations than detailed people groups don't resolve this. --a counter.... yes primary languages have more access IF they were to go online and choose to search for the Gospel... The problem here is the assumption that they people would randomly choose to look something up (while paying for internet by the minute) that they have never of heard of, if they had heard - were told was a lie from hell, that by even considering could get them beaten or shamed, the list goes on... So primary language access doesn't seem to give any more practical access to the Gospel, unless first the message gets to them. Some sources for your consideration: www.thetravelingteam.org/stats joshuaproject.net/countries/IZ What do you think? Does this change how you view it now?

@@backtodmd Thanks for the reply, but it doesn't really change my mind. The Word of God is preached in English on the internet and in many other forums, so, I see that as a real way in which many people groups are "reached". Now, is that as good as actually getting to know someone so they can see Jesus working in your life and as we love our brothers ? Possibly not, but, on the other hand there are very good videos where the love of Jesus is clearly seen in the interaction of street preachers to various groups such as Mormons, atheists, or mothers seeking an abortion. In truth, the amount of correct gospel education available online is unparalleled in human history. I think that makes a lot of the "unreached" people groups actually quite reached in practice. But we can agree to disagree, I do think you have good intentions.

Quick google search, in Arab Counties alone, only 26% of households have access to internet. Let alone all the reasons why I mentioned they would not be inclined to even consider searching. Also their governments restrict Christian content online and do their best to continually censor. So it seems (not trying to be harsh) that you just want to an excuse to avoid this issue and a reason to disqualify it as an issue even though data and context all points to the contrary of your perspective.

And again... (sorry not trying to corner you on this, but i do want to genuinely respond to your counters) but videos across youtube of american street preachers on Mormonism, abortion, etc.... the giant gap between this resonating verses being repulsive to people in these contexts.... Imagine right now how you would connect with a random YT video of a Chinese man, intensely talking at people in the streets in Mandarin, about issues that are morally repulsive in your culture, and from a vantage point you already think is heresy and from a culture you already suspect is triumphantly going to hell and is hurting the countries of the world their politics, wars, and religion. You would be turned off in the first second, IF that video ever actually did arrive in front of you. Social media to your point is an amazing tool for us to use but it does not solve this urgent issue and the 40k to 60,000 people who die every day without hearing the Gospel.

@RitmosMC I can appreciate your ask given your perspective. Sadly though, it seems you have a very misled perspective of what the Book is really about. I would love to invite you to dig deeper and discover who Jesus is, what he is about, and what he really calls Christians to live out and model. If you are not sure where to start, consider with the @AlphaCourse series: ruclips.net/video/hBMMD5C0k-s/видео.html

@@backtodmd Don't worry I've done plenty of research, I don't need to watch any more videos. The fact is, I've read some of the Bible I've been to church, and I just don't think it's real. It may be a comforting fairy tale, but when it comes to actual fact, it's nothing more than a 2000 year old dogma. And not only this, but it's one of the worst religions in the world. It inspires hate, cruelty, fear, and ignorance into millions of people. I'm sorry to tell you it, but you're working on the wrong side.

We see it differently. Regardless, I wish you the best!

@professordr4059 I'm really grateful for your thoughtful feedback! I'm acknowledging now, but I plan to revisit your comment with a thought out reply when I have the time to really sit and think through your suggestion. Thank you for sharing!

I agree with you! You have some great stories of this in practice too. My general approach is to go and learn, not do (which I believe lends to your insight, but I did not make that clear), and to your point, if the local missionaries or pastors there can leverage our presence and manpower, then that is the definitive goal. Thank you for your service and your helpful feedback.

?

​@@backtodmd, "rorld""rerld""ry friend"

Maybe it’s because I’m sleep deprived. But I’m lost. 🤷‍♂️🤔

@@backtodmd , c'mon meow, watch the video.

Great question. For simplicity I went off the “Christian” benchmark. Joshua Project is an amazing resource for this. Definition of unreached - Less than or equal to 5% Christian Adherent AND less than or equal to 2% Evangelical.

Thank you! It’s been a long journey of failing forward on recording and editing, still much to learn!

…….dang. We disagree on the validity. What if we didn’t rob people of the opportunity to choose? Options are a privilege.

@@backtodmd What if the omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent creator of the universe could do a better job of letting his supposed creation know he even exists? Most of these locations have long-existing cultural/religious belief systems. Missionaries going and infusing foreign cultural beliefs has historically created much tension and division - a useful tactic in the past for an empire trying to control a region, but damaging to the population's culture and solidarity. It's even worse when large-scale evangelical missions go to troubled areas and use critically-needed resources like food, medicine and water as a token to help sell the belief system. (Not ALL relief programs funded by religious organizations do this, but many do take the opportunity to proselytize.) I get that you truly believe in this calling, and that you think spreading your belief system is the only way to "save" these people from what you perceive as eternal suffering, but in my humble opinion, if the eternal fate of God's creation hinges entirely upon whether Sam from Kentucky hops on a plane with a bible, said deity should really invest in some better means of communication.

​@@wonkydonk9073 This could be a good question and its clear you can think critically. But's its the wrong one and at the wrong time. You are right that the work can create tension and division, and there has been abuse by empires leveraging religion for their ill motives. But you are wrong where you say that they go and briing help just to sell. They bring help because they care. Imagine saying you care about a spirtual void in someones life while ignoring them starve and need help physically... if you are caring person why wouldn't you be compelled to help them. The bigger question is: is there a God? If so, then what? Check out @AlphaCourse and begin on ruclips.net/video/hBMMD5C0k-s/видео.html

@@backtodmd Howdy, Alex. I conceded in my initial post that not ALL relief missions backed by religious institutions are guilty of leveraging critical resources as a vehicle for spreading religion, but I still believe it is clear that many do - consciously or not. That being said, I would never try to claim that the majority of missionaries are ingenuine in their intent to help those they perceive as in need of succor and salvation; I merely disagree in the merits and benefits of the latter. I agree with you that, perhaps, one of the biggest questions of all is whether or not a god exists. Such a hypothesis has, in my opinion, so far failed to meet the colossal burden of proof proportionate to the extraordinariness of the proposition, but I am always willing to listen to new arguments. To answer your last question, it depends on which god is shown to exist. If, somehow, sufficient evidence were to lift the veil and make belief in a particular deity justified, I would quite simply have no choice but to believe it. If such a deity truly conformed to the petty, unjust and cruel depictions presented by many world religions, however, I would only hope I had the courage to openly defy them, despite the inevitably horrible repercussions. Either way, I wish you well. Although I disagree with the concept of evangelism, I hope you can use it as a motivation to make positive change to some degree, in one way or another.

Love your heart and willingness! Given the recent shift, I'd say let's first get you running strong where you already live and see that you learn the essential values and practices to make it long-term. My Quick Tips: 1. Find a healthy local church and aim to be there weekly (if you haven't already) 2. Begin serving there on Sundays (at least 1x month) 3. Get into small groups (go from new to known) 4. Learn how to love God, love others, serve, and be a disciple who makes disciples. - From day one begin learning how to pray, connect with God, read your bible, practice the teachings of Jesus, and begin living missionally. Going into the red zones may be where God is calling but you'll need time to build out your faith disciplines and to develop a community to support you. So start with the steps above for at least 12 months, then connect with your pastor about the next steps. While you are doing that - Look up perspectives.org/ and get into an upcoming course. A couple of extra resources for you to consider: now - ordinarymovement.org later for missions - livedead.org Sorry for all the typos and loose thoughts, writing this out at 12 AM! Hope this helps!

You're all good! I appreciate the in depth response. I'll keep you updated on my journey, I'm still seeking for sure, heavily although, I just haven't been able too satisfy my hunger for more of him. I feel this is something I for sure want too do in my life one day. The road is very daunting, but I want too pick up the cross, and follow. Please, respond on your own time, but do you have any tips for a deeper connection with him? (i.e, prayer tips, meditation practices, certain books/gospel/scripture too study?)There's really, nothing I want more. Or do I just keep reading, from front too back, educating myself from video sermons, and enforcing more spirituality? Of course there's day where I feel I could do so much more, but I've given 15-40 hours a week doing my best too study, just anything. Historically and biblically. I don't mean too blast you, I just don't want too get this wrong. I want my tome of faith too be absolutely unshakeable, as well as my relationship with the Trinity. PLEASE do NOT feel the need too respond tonight. This past month, I've been on fire about him. I don't want too lose it.@@backtodmd

@@saintrezzyI love every question you dropped. (Excuse the typos-writing this while we run errands) I think you signed up for the resources on my site? I’ll have the new pages up soon, and I’ll give you some ideas for books, sermons, practices, etc. in the meantime … suggestions below as for prayer, try secrets of the secret place by Bob Sorge As for some general living this out guidance- anything Francis Chan ( you can start with and get the e book for free - Multiply here www.multiplymovement.com/ as for reading, read the Bible in a year. And then do it again; and again. If this is your baseline, you’ll gain way more than just a book about about a book of the Bible, then add books and resources to that. You’ll have tons of questions, which is great, dig into them and be okay with taking time to figure them all out. The podcast Bible recap by Tara Lee Cobble is an amazing resource to get you started in reading the entire Bible. More coming your way via email soon. Having been where you are….. run as hard and passionately as you want but keep in mind the following- This is a marathon not a sprint, so pace yourself and don’t burn out in the first mile. it’s okay to fail forward. to avoid burnout undercommit and over deliver. Watch your circle. You won’t make it far without having a community who is aiming for the destination, to challenge and encourage you. (You may need to let go friendships and even endure isolation while finding and rebuilding a new community around your Jesus following goals) Hit me up up with more questions , I’ll keep them in mind for future videos and circle back to you as I’m able.

Thank you so much...@@backtodmd for all of this. I did sign up for your resources. Just keep doing what you do. I'll keep on the path. I found a church near me with a salvation by grace belief system that looks interesting. They seem too offer groups. Going too appear on weds evening and talk too them on what they've got. I appreciate you

That is quite the experience. And I'm sorry it did not leave the ideal impact on you or those you all went to visit. Here's my quick thoughts: One benefit of short term trips is the exposure. (And exposure really can be life changing for the "goer", (I've benefited from third world exposure... but at what possible cost to others?) and how we go "taking selfies, etc" is consequential to the recipients too. To answer your questions... (if in overseas missions context) Yes, there are better ones than others-As for types of trips, check out this video here: ruclips.net/video/V5ivKq8w6p8/видео.html that one is bigger overview. I will also be posting one here shortly that is way more concise about the type of trip. The type of trip for limited time off and having kids.... that's hard. I would say in line with the video above, go solo, live with missionaries, take off 7 days, plan to have 5 days to be there doing life/work with the missionaries, watching them do ministry, asking tons of questions, having time to explore the areas on your own, aim for the 10/40 region. As for the kids part, I'd say that is a tension of waiting to defer this trip out further into the future VS saving up and prayerfully considering when to go/childcare with family while your gone. But... If you were asking about trips nationally... I wouldn't worry about traveling to do a trip. Just get involved locally with outreaches, evangelists, and disciple making movements where you already live. Thank you for sharing! Hopefully there is something helpful in the commentary above!

I think some go through agencies. Some receive support through churches

They can usually do one of two options: A: raise support (have a large number of families or churches financially support you each month to go and serve) B: get a job there or start a business there - as a means to stay and provide for your means. There are pros and cons to both. And you can see both practiced today and historically by Paul in the book of Acts. Most practical next step is to connect with an agency, they will help you figure out the best next step. If you need help with that just visit my website and sign up for the resources: alexrossie.org

Love it!

If you are serious, consider a next taking a next step by contacting a network like livedead.org , pioneers, frontiers, etc. would love to see you make it there!

Make a plan to do it! In your corner!

Thank you for sharing. I’m aware of dependency issues but had not heard about the purchasing and claiming activity. Have you personally seen that?

Hey Troy! You're welcome! If you haven't yet then be sure to check out the solutions I suggest via the video here: ruclips.net/video/V5ivKq8w6p8/видео.html

Thanks Kyle!

Love it! Fact is, almost every long term missionary was positively impacted and influenced by short term trips. Super cool to see how God used that trip in your life!

How selfish and pointless. I'm rich and didn't help anyone but I enjoyed the trip so that's enough for GAWD

​@@Kometheus Like atheism.

Hey Lizzie! You are welcome & thank you your feedback and sharing that insight! I'm actually making one more video to layout the core components of a healthier trip. It will be more concise and hopefully give better direction too!

Hello Pamela! I’m happy to help and would love for them to check it out. Given the content of this video, if you haven’t yet please be sure to follow it up for them with the solutions video too! The last thing I’d want is for someone to only see the issues without also providing a healthier path forward. Let’s finish the task! -Alex

Thank you brother for sharing this perspective. I started a small group at one time to share information like this very same thing about our local mission work here in our community. Thank you for sharing.

@@lisaharris9840 Hey Lisa! Thank you for your feedback and for your amazing local work and outreach!

I was a missionary kid in the 1960's in Africa. As an adult I returned for 30 years in various nations in Africa. The problem is our pastors are purposely ignorant and they appoint, allow or even teach their people having no mature understanding of cross-cultural ministry. Black Americans are some of the most ignorant of effective missions, but all churches could use solid teaching on these subjects. But pastors and church members really don't have an interest in learning much.

Doesn't sound like of the Christians I know. Granted I think everyone desires and should have the freedom to practice the religion of their choice, including the freedom to not be religious. As far as making demands, guess I'd say run from anyone who is talking like that. As for invitation, why wouldn't we want people around us to know the extravagant love of God?

@@backtodmd it sounds like every christian. Even you, with your comments of "why wouldn't we want people around us to know..." Because that's a passive agressive way to force your religion onto others. Should Muslims do that with you? Should they be able come up and tell you how the wonders of allah are greater than those of the god of the christian faith? What about Jews? Should they come up to you and start telling you how your book is a mistranslated version of their book? How about satanists? Should they be able to walk up to you and let you know the extravagance of Satan? And the temple of satan followers, should they be allowed to walk up to you and your family on a sunday and tell you how your beliefs contradict the natural way of things? Because your pushing your religion, is infringing on those peoples rights, who don't want to be part of religion... you're infringing upon our 1st amendment rights. The Establishment Clause protects against governmental endorsement and imposition of religion, and the Free Exercise Clause ensures the right to practice your faith without harming others. Stop trying to convert, indoctrinate, or push your belief structure onto others.

I’m a fan of freedom of speech- for all, for each group you mentioned, even your insights above. Opposing views , different perspectives, alternative religions, etc. ( my preference is that all share in a kind and inviting way)

Great question! Yes, he does work in some other capacities so as to help the local community.

Your'e welcome!