Four Things Short Term Missions Offers Seniors

     When planning Short Term Missions, most people's hopes are for teens and young people to get fired up about living their life for God. After all, that's when a person lays a foundation for the rest of their life. But what about those who already have a foundation and maybe have some wisdom to go with it? Seniors are not only a burgeoning part of the American population, but they also aren't ready for a rocking chair. They want to see new places, learn new things and perhaps teach a few things to younger people. And why not? Modern transportation and information systems make it increasingly possible. Here are four opportunities Short Term Missions can offer seniors:

1. To see new things. Now I'm not talking about the touristy types of new things here. Seniors can be tourists on a cruise, if they choose. But getting off the beaten path and hanging with local churches is not a touristy thing. Helping a class in Eastern Europe or China with English will certainly get you out of your comfort zone. The question is, are your seniors too old to learn new things like Teaching English As A Second Language? Perhaps they can lead younger team members by example in gracefully accepting new experiences. The truth is, no one who is willing to risk their comfort zone is too old to learn what God is really doing in the world. And the best way to know what God is doing is to see it first hand.

2. To make new friends. While young people search for novel experiences, most seniors are more interested in relationships. After all, relationships with other brothers and sisters in Christ are the only things going with you when you die. Working alongside long term missionaries or local churches can be a golden opportunity to widen a senior's circle of friends. They may even make friends with a few non-Christians, which is a tool for evangelism. E-mail and snail mail (you know, through the Post Office) can keep seniors in touch with new friends even after they have returned to the United States. Unlike young people, many seniors actually try to keep in touch with their friends. They may even want to go back and see them again, if the situation permits. Planners considering adding seniors to their Short Term Missions teams may want to consider permanent relationships with a particular church or mission group so this option remains available.

3. To make a difference. In God's economy, anyone can make a difference. That is the truly great lesson of missions. God has used so many imperfect people over the centuries. American seniors long to know they still make a difference. In 2003, 18.6 percent of men over age 65 still worked and most said they worked because they liked their job and wanted to stay on. It gave them a sense of purpose. And the church needs what seniors have to give. They've lived a while and hopefully learned from life lessons they can pass on to team members or to the people they are serving. If nothing else, they may know how to slow down and really listen to others when they speak.

4. Personal renewal. What this adds up to is personal renewal. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." So are your seniors sliding for home, or are they ready to be renewed? Does God still have a job for them to do? The answers to those questions make all the difference in the world, to seniors and to God's kingdom.

     Does adding seniors to your Short Term Missions plans add some new considerations? Of course. But there are plenty of experts to help. Travel insurance experts can help with those types of concerns. If your are getting help from a mission organization, ask them how many seniors they have had come through their program. The more they have handled, the better they will be at helping your team.