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In the last ten years, we have made repeated visits to fifty-six countries. Our heroes are the highly effective long-term missionaries who dedicate careers to church planting, translation, theological education and other time-consuming endeavors.

These singles and families have committed years to gaining fluency in second and third languages, learned to enjoy cultural differences, and built trust that takes decades to grow. Because of their long endurance, the Lord has used them to expand the kingdom through teaching the Word, healing the sick and planting vibrant churches.

Their ministry is not without long-term sacrifice. They have declined well-paying jobs to proclaim Christ in countries where they will never feel entirely at home. Some minister where they are targets of terrorists and armed robbery. Others live in the world?s most polluted cities or where malaria and AIDS are rampant.

Yes, we understand the importance of short-term missions and give thanks for our family’s life-changing short-term experiences. Jim’s three months with Wycliffe in Peru confirmed his desire to serve long-term in missions. Carol grew up as a missionary kid in Ecuador and then spent a summer in college working with HCJB radio and church ministries. Our two children’s short-term experiences with SIM shaped their current careers.

Short-term missions provide important services and usually change participants’ lives. Yet most crucial tasks are best accomplished by missionaries who dedicate time to learning the culture and language, and building lasting friendships. Translating Scripture demands years of study, friendship-building and literacy work. Teaching seminary cross-culturally requires not only academic qualifications, but a deep understanding of pastors’ contexts and challenges. Leaders are best mentored by people who earned their respect over time. Many more long-term missionaries are critically needed.

We appreciate both short- and long-term workers, but the ratio between the two is far from balanced. American churches send out an estimated one million short-termers each year. Compare this to about 50,000 long-term missionaries our churches support. Should we be sending ninety-five percent of our missionaries as short-termers, but only five percent as long-termers? Many long-term candidates become discouraged and drop out because of their difficulties raising support. Why are we sending so few who are willing and qualified to serve long-term?

Here are suggestions for balancing our perspective:

• Have you had a short-term opportunity? Ask the Lord to show you if these experiences should be a stimulus for long-term service.

• When you return from a short-term trip, work hard to communicate your experiences to your church. People need to hear your life-changing story.

• If the Lord leads you to stay home, pray fervently for missionaries. Exemplify someone who is willing to sacrifice financially to support long-term missionaries.

• If you are considering a short-term missions trip ask the Lord to touch your heart with the opportunities of long-term service.

• Church missions committees, consider making long-termers the backbone of your missions program. Short-term missions might seem more glitzy, but your first obligation is to ask, How can our church make the most difference in the worldwide kingdom of God? 

Long-term missionaries, hang in there! Yes, there are significant sacrifices, but your effectiveness for the kingdom can grow every year you are on the field. No reward in the world can begin to match Jesus’ praise, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Carol Plueddemann is the minister of congregational life and outreach at Immanuel Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Warrenville, Illinois. Jim Plueddemann is professor of missions at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.