Kids on Mission Trips, Almost Gone

Giving young people tasks that make them feel good about themselves is part of good parenting, teaching and mentoring. In Christianity, however, it includes a scheme to keep them from leaving the faith. Readers all know the program. Summer camps, youth conferences and youth socials. 

Some years ago the "mission trip" showed up. Kids and their parents would round up enough money to go to some country for a few days and "help poor people." I suppose there were already missionaries there to arrange for accommodations and come up with some task that was not difficult. I've heard painting was often the choice.

I always wondered why so much money was spent on these "mission trips", who paid the overhead and what the locals in the country really thought of them. A U. S. doctor who works in such a country wrote a candid piece advising U.S. churches and parents to pull back on these excursions.  

The doctor advised churches in the U.S. to put some thought into trips for their kids. For example, it is wise not to bring gifts of machines or seeds that require money for maintenance. Don't send kids that need pampering like good beds and food. The people accommodating the kids may expect donations into the future long after the kids have left. This often has not happened so the enthusiasm for hosting the kids is not there like it once was. The communities here have begun to figure this out and are cutting back on the programs. 

Missionary programs in general are not seen as wonderful as in times past. People in the pews like to believe their money wins souls for Jesus. Those managing the programs see church revenue falling and wonder if converting in countries where Christians later are murdered is a good use of their collection plate donations.