Books and other Publications
The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip By David C. Forward
E-mail: DCForward@aol.com
Softcover (spiral bound) Moody Press, 1998
ISBN 0-8024-2526-7 227 pages $14.99
This very thoughtful and informative book is written especially for the person or small group that is thinking about organizing a short-term mission trip and wonders what to do next. The author writes from a wealth of experience in organizing and leading mission trips to several countriesincluding the D.R. He addresses just about all the main concernsfrom why having a trip to what to do on the first day of arrival and how to evaluate the experience after coming back home. The book is filled with practical advice on a wide variety of do's and don'ts. It has many examples of difficult situations that probably could have been minimized or eliminated with foresight. More than just a how-to-do manual, it is rich in biblical and spiritual insights. Whether it is your first or tenth leadership experience with a mission trip, this book is must reading.
Operation World (21st Century Edition)
By Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk
Published by Paternoster Lifestyle; 2001
ISBN 1-85078-357-8
$ 15.99; Paperback 822 pages
To order, call William Carey Library at:
1-800-MISSION or order from this web:
This unique publication could be called a prayer diary and a world almanac for evangelical Christians. "When we pray, God works" is its subtitle. Every country (and several places that are not officially countries) is carefully described in a way that emphasizes major challenges which Christian believers in the many places must face. Rich in statistical information, this book also lists and explains specific things to pray for on a daily basis that relates to worldwide places and concepts. It gives information about virtually anywhere.
This book is truly an international effort by British and Canadian authors, research by American and overseas sources, and other contributions. The U.S. Center for World Mission in Pasadena is one of the major partners in making it possible. Over 60,000 e-mails helped collect the data. Operation World has a tremendous internet base with several hundred websites about places all over the planet, mission groups, short-term trips, and other resources to more effectively relate to mission goals. More information is available on their CD ROM (order it from their website for $17.99).
Successful Mission Teams: A Guide for Volunteers By Martha VanCise
Published by New Hope Publishers
(Birmingham, AL, 1999) $10.99
ISBN 1-56309-169-0
$10.99 Paperback 231 pages
The 23 chapters in this book contain a real treasure house of information that anyone planning or going on an overseas mission trip should begin to learn about as soon as possible. "Mission tours are not vacations," the author says. It is as important to consider one's spiritual preparation and cultural values relating to the trip as knowing what to pack into your suitcase. She covers all threeand many other related topicsin a very clear and forthright manner. There are mission tour scams as well as wonderful organizations with excellent track records. Just about all the kinds of horror stories about what can go wrong are noted, and she has good tips on how to avoid most of them.
Whether you are going on disaster relief mission or into a relatively tranquil area, she has many useful tips of advice. Years of missionary experience in Haiti and Guatemala gave her a lot of practical insights. Ideally, everyone going on an overseas mission trip should read this book. If not, at least the trip organizer(s) should do so and pass on the information.
Today's ALL-STAR Missions Churches: Strategies to Help Your Church Get Into the Game
By Tom Telford with Lois Shaw
Baker Books (Grand Rapids, MI); 2001
ISBN 0-8010-6381-7
$10.99 Paperback 173 pages
Most people who go on Christian-orientated short-term mission trips are active in their churches, and some churches are a lot more active and successful in missions than others. Tom Telford, a former professional baseball umpire, uses baseball metaphors and analogies in dealing with these kinds of questions. "What are the best missions churches in America? Why are their missions programs so effective? How can your church learn from them?" He studied thousands of churches throughout the U.S. to compile a list that he believes are the top 25 in mission activities and support and found several common characteristics.
Missions are infused throughout the entire church programnot just assigned to one department or committee. The pastor, and all the staff and other leaders, are enthused and personally involved in missions. Most "all star" churches try to get as many people as possible involved in short-term tripsand they emphasize preparation, support, and follow up activities as much as what happens on the field. Information about how to contact all of these top churches is included. This book is a real bargain and could help get your church on fire for God through service in mission activities. Get and read it soon! Better yet, encourage other people in your church to do likewise
Where There Is No Doctor
By David Weaver with Carol Thurman & Jane Maxwell;
Revised/updated 1992 & '98
$17.00 for either English or Spanish version
Published by the Hesperian Foundation;
1919 Addison Street, Suite 304
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: 510-845-1447
Fax: 510-845-0539
E-mail: hesperian@igc.org
Web: www.hesperian.org
This has been described as "perhaps the most widely-used health care manual in the world." The Foundation has published several similar books, such as Where There Is No Dentist, Where Women Have No Doctor, Disabled Village Children, and Helping Health Workers Learn. They also publish two free eight-page newsletters each quarter; ask to be on their mailing list.
Into All the World: The 2002 Great Commission Opportunities Handbook
Bill Berry, Publisher
E-mail: Intoall@aol.com
P.O. Box 40519; Pasadena, CA 91114
Phone: 626-798-8582
Fax: 626-798-2712
128 pages in the 2002 edition; $5.00
This excellent, information-packed yearly publication covers the planet with 35 articles, many book reviews, advertisements, and websites about mission opportunities throughout the world. Lots of practical advice about "do's and don'ts" and expressing one's faith are included. For more frequent updates, see their website: www.aboutmissions.com
