Over the past three decades, the number of Americans involved in short-term mission annually has exploded—from 22,000 in 1979 to more than one million today (Christianity Today, July 2006). Marcia Strauss has seen this firsthand, both during her 19 years in Ethiopia where she coordinated Short-Term Associates (STAs) and during her service today as International STA Coordinator. Marcia hopes to see men and women placed in mentored short-term assignments alongside ongoing ministries, where they can be nurtured for lifelong Great Commission commitment.

Read updates from Marcia below:

Short-Term Service and Lasting Impact: A Realistic Expectation?

29 July 2008 — What assurance do I have that short-term missions accomplish true change, true calling, genuine and effective investment in field ministries, and a discernment of one’s role in the full range of Kingdom work?

"Big Siblings" to Newcomers

2 April 2008 — A recent communication from Dorothy Hazard (of SIM Kenya) reminded me of a practice that SIM Ecuador utilized a number of years ago as well.