“You might need to cancel your next short-term mission trip unless you read this wise, practical, insightful guide from an experienced leader, Darren Carlson. This is the book I’d hand to anyone planning or going on any short-term trip.”
Collin Hansen, Editor in Chief, The Gospel Coalition; host, Gospelbound podcast
“The investment that churches make in short-term missions has only increased over the past few decades. In this short book, Darren Carlson helps church leaders deploy that investment more strategically, in a theologically sound way, with better outcomes both at home and abroad.”
Ted Esler, President, Missio Nexus
“Ready, Go, Serve is immediately practical and immensely helpful. And this book may step on your toes at times. But here’s a guide that can light the path for better short-term ministry trips while helping you avoid unnecessary missteps along the way.”
Elliot Clark, Reaching & Teaching Ministries; author of Evangelism as Exiles, Mission Affirmed, and The Ordinary Missionary
“As a young seminary student many years ago, I went on a short-term mission trip that fundamentally reshaped how I thought about missions, thanks in large part to the mentorship of our trip leader, Darren Carlson. In this book he has distilled years of wisdom and experience into what I believe is the most helpful guide to short-term missions available today. Darren is no armchair idealist; he is a seasoned practitioner who, with conviction, clarity, candor, and humor shows us a better way to pursue faithful and fruitful short-term missions. There is much to learn from his wisdom on how to go, send, and serve more effectively for the glory of the Lord Jesus and the good of his blood-bought bride.”
Aubrey Sequeira, Senior Pastor, Evangelical Community Church, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
“Darren Carlson’s Ready, Go, Serve is as practically helpful as it is pastorally encouraging. Born from a deep longing to help individuals and churches do short-term missions in sustainable and kingdom-expanding ways, Darren’s warmth and wisdom point the way toward lasting impact. As a missions agency, Serge knows just how important it is to have cultural humility, curiosity, and a willingness to live out the gospel. Ready, Go, Serve will help your church do just that as you engage in missions.”
Patric Knaak, Deputy Director of Mission, Serge; author of On Mission, coauthor of Life-Changing Mission and Psalms: Real Prayers for Real Life
“Short-term missions can either ignite a lifelong love for God’s church or unintentionally create more problems on the field. Darren Carlson helps us pursue the first outcome while avoiding the second. He gives practical help on how to maximize the resources entrusted to short-term teams for the good of the team and the long-term ministry. We wish we had read this book before leading our first short-term mission team to paint a wall at a church that had just been painted by another team the week before! Of course, there are even worse examples of short-term teams seeking to do good but end up harming the ministry’s witness. Read this book before you board the plane. It's biblical, practical, and honest. You want your short-term trip to strengthen God’s global church rather than simply fill your camera roll. Read first, then get your passport and pack your suitcase!”
Dave and Gloria Furman, Chancellor of the Gulf Theological Seminary; author of Being There and The Surprising Savior (Dave); author of Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full and Missional Motherhood (Gloria)
“I read this book in one sitting—couldn’t put it down! In brief readable chapters, it covers a wide array of subjects that will orient newcomers to short-term missions and provide a framework and checklists for experienced leaders. The author speaks from his own extensive experience and draws input from those in the field around the world. He combines critique (sometimes of his own mistakes) with compelling wisdom and tips for improving this form of outreach, all on a clear biblical basis. If you are involved in, oversee, or sponsor short-term missions, you will gain a lot from this book, as will those you seek to serve.”
Robert W. Yarbrough, Professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO
“Having personally hosted Darren on a short -term trip in Africa, I have witnessed his humility, love for Christ and respect for the global church. Ready, Go, serve calls missionaries to serve as learners and partners who honor local churches and leaders. I commend this biblically grounded, culturally sensitive, and practical book to every church that sends and every Christian who serves cross culturally.”
Dennis Kilama, Pastor, Baptist Union of Uganda; council member, The Gospel Coalition Africa
“Short-term missions can be done in a way that serves the global church, strengthens the long-term missionaries, and encourages long-term engagement in God’s kingdom, or it can harm everyone involved. As you read this book, you will learn the difference and a healthy way forward in short-term missions. A great resource for all our short-term teams and interns.”
Dee Hammond, Director of Trips and Internships, Mission to the World, Presbyterian Church in America
“Jesus promised to build his church, and he likewise assured his disciples that the gospel of the kingdom would be proclaimed to all nations. Carlson’s book is an encouraging and hopeful call to pray to the Lord of the harvest, to watch for his saving power among the nations, and to continue in the Great Commission. This book rightly directs all our hope to God alone, who builds his church through imperfect servants. I highly recommend it.”
E. D. Burns, Executive Director of Training and Development, ABWE; missionary, Southeast Asia; professor, Asia Biblical Theological Seminary
“When it comes to short-term missions, Darren knows the territory—both its promise and its pitfalls. With honesty, realism, and wisdom, he exposes blind spots while offering practical guidance for making short-term mission trips genuinely fruitful. Read this book before you buy your ticket. It may change the way you go—and the way you serve.”
Giotis Kantartzis, Pastor, First Greek Evangelical Church, Athens, Greece
“Having welcomed many short-term mission teams over the years, I wish every team would read this book. Darren has traveled widely, listened carefully, and understands both the Western and global church remarkably well. Ready, Go, Serve is biblical, clear, and refreshingly honest. It graciously dislodges unhealthy assumptions and calls us to humble, Christ-centered partnership with God’s global church. I warmly commend this much-needed book to every team preparing to serve across cultures.”
Vijay Meesala, President, Reach All Nations International Ministries, India
“As a long-term missionary, I’ve experienced many short-term teams, and I wish all of them had read this book. Carlson has given us a road map for short-term missions grounded on biblical principles and filled with practical wisdom that will benefit any short-term team before, during, and after their cross-cultural service. Highly recommended!”
Matthew Newkirk, President and Professor of Old Testament, Christ Bible Seminary, Nagoya, Japan
“Driven by his experience (which I have personally witnessed in Africa), Darren Carlson provides an indispensable roadmap for short-term missions and practical, gospel-centered insights for healthy mission engagement. Ready, Go, Serve has what every church leader and missionary needs to know and practice for long-term kingdom impact.”
David Fugoyo Baime, Vice Chancellor, Restore University, Uganda
