How We Collaborate With Short-Term Mission Teams

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     There is an abundance of short-term mission trips to the Dominican Republic; these are often life-changing for the Americans and a blessing to the local Haitians and Dominicans who live in pain and poverty.  However, after a second or third trip, many teams begin to wonder: “How can we make a long-term impact in a short-term trip?”  This is a complicated subject, but we have found that when short-term teams connect with and work in coordination with local leaders of integrity, the trip bears greater long-term spiritual fruit.  Here are some examples:

• Local leaders can have follow-up for any spiritual or physical needs that are left unmet at the end of a trip;
• Local leaders of integrity can be entrusted with resources for what is left unfinished;
• Teams can have a continual “point of contact” for ongoing prayer, communication and support;
• Americans can be better indoctrinated into cultural blind spots that are often a hindrance to deeper relationships;
• Teams can become aware of the many other teams that are at work – allowing for communication, preventing duplication, and becoming “Kingdom-minded”.

How this is done:

Regional Representatives – for several years, we have been working on a map of the villages in this area.  Recently, we have begun to assign specific regions to our team members for the following purposes:

1. Build relationships with existing Pastors or Christians in each village
2. Assess the spiritual and physical condition of each village
3. Regular visitation and follow-up in each village

With these regional representatives, mission teams can plan ahead for their trips, and follow up after their trips
Click Here to visit the map of villages

Connections – if short-term teams need assistance in strategic planning, identifying areas of need, finding a local leader of integrity, etc., Del Rey Ministries is always available to help in any way possible. CONTACT US

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