Ready, Go, Serve: A Field Guide for Healthy Short-Term Missions

In Ready, Go, Serve, Darren Carlson challenges readers to approach mission work with humility, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of God’s global church.

Short-term mission trips can be exciting opportunities to discover how God is working around the world and to serve alongside churches in other countries. However, good intentions can quickly become more of a hindrance than a benefit without the proper preparation and oversight. Carlson helps readers grow in cultural awareness and consider the practical aspects of the trip so they can serve more effectively.

Blending theology with real-world insight, Ready, Go, Serve outlines principles for evaluating, equipping, and commissioning mission teams that prioritize faithfulness and the encouragement and empowerment of local believers over quick results. With clear-eyed advice on avoiding common pitfalls, Carlson equips teams to serve in ways that honor local leadership, cultivate authentic partnerships, and strengthen the long-term work of the church.

• Offers an introductory examination of the historical and contemporary context of Global Christianity to help Christians to better appreciate their place in the broader church and role in short-term missions.
• Equips team leaders and members with the necessary tools and resources to prepare for and effectively serve in cross-cultural mission trips.
• Encourages thoughtful reflection on the impact of short-term missions, challenges assumptions, and promotes responsible involvement in global missions.