Missionaries are to be dedicated for life, but there is also a place for short-term missions. In this roundtable, we look at short-term missions from several viewpoints and highlight the benefits of this type of ministry. Panelists bring a variety of experiences and perspectives to the table.

Michael Berbin is a missionary to Papua New Guinea and has hosted around 10 short-termers (five of these short-termers have joined his team in Aibai as career missionaries). Laura Berrey and her husband, Tim, both served as short-termers before the Lord led them to return to serve in the Philippines full-time. Their family has benefited from the ministry of short-termers as well. Jennifer Lowry stepped up to the plate to meet a particular need on the field by serving short-term with the McPhail family in Cambodia. Now she and her husband serve faithfully in their local church. The Lord led Josh Perkins and his family to return to Papua New Guinea as career missionaries after their short-term ministry there as furlough replacements. They are currently on deputation. Sarah Hartwig spent  three years in Papua New Guinea as a short-termer before returning to the States. She currently oversees communications at the GFA home office.

The Value of Short-term Missions