ByFaith Media - ByFaith - By Faith
[  Home  About  News  Contact  Site Map  ]      [  TV  DVDs  Books  Mission  Store  ]


Order the book in our store here.











How to Plan, Prepare and Successfully Complete your Short-Term Mission – for Volunteers, Churches, Independent STM Teams and Mission Organisations by Mathew Backholer.

The Ultimate Guide to Missions – For Individuals, Leaders, Teams and those Planning a Christian Gap Year
The Why, Where and When of STMs.

The author, Mathew Backholer has been on more than thirty STMs and has experienced the best and worst of STMs, both as a leader and as a participant. He has travelled the length of Africa, had a mishap with a motorcycle in Cambodia, been attacked by thieves in Europe and has slept in hostels, mud huts and under the stars! He has participated in the most incredible mission adventures sharing the word in Sudan, preaching in India, supplying Bibles in Africa and maintaining mission centres in Europe. From his many adventures in over thirty nations, Mathew reveals how to plan well, avoid the pitfalls and successfully complete your STM!

More than 140 real-life STM testimonies!

In the last few years, millions of Christians both young and old have embarked upon an expedition of a lifetime into the unknown - to serve, witness and experience another world. Now it’s your turn to take the challenge and put your faith into action, as you prepare for your short-term mission (STM) as part of the Great Commission.

Book Details
  • 8.5 x 5.5 inches (216mm x 140mm)
  • 48 chapters
  • 280 pages
  • ISBN 978-1-907066-05-4 (paperback)
  • ISBN 978-1-907066-23-8 (eBook)











  • Contents:

  • Preface
  • The Importance of the Great Commission
  • Why Should I GO on Short-Term Missions (STMs)
  • Should I Go on the Mission Trip?
  • My Call or God’s Call?
  • Are Short-term Missions a Waste of Finances?
  • My Motives for Going on a Short-Term Mission
  • Types of Mission Work – Preaching and Humanitarian
  • Duration, Destination and Timing
  • Mission Organisation, Church or Independent STM-er?
  • The Will of the Lord / God’s Guidance
  • The Short-Term Mission Team
  • Picking a Mission Team
  • Dangers and Concerns
  • Financing your Short-Term Mission
  • Finances – Trusting God
  • How much Money will I need?
  • The Independent STM-er Budget
  • Spend Wisely
  • Stretching Your Budget
  • Money Matters - Cash Points, Credit Cards and the American Dollar
  • Preparation Before You Depart
  • Items to Buy and What may be Practical
  • Gadgets and Bling – Do I pack it?
  • Go Pack your Bag
  • I’ve Arrived - Settling In



  • Duty and Character
  • Being Streetwise
  • Security, Wisdom and Safety
  • The Law of the Land
  • Look After Yourself – The Human Body
  • Looking After Each Other
  • The Culture of Another
  • Christian Culture
  • Being Culturally Sensitive
  • Understanding the Locals
  • Inequality, Oppression and Slave Labour
  • The Isolation of the Tribe
  • Food and Drink
  • Team Dynamics – Leadership and the Team
  • Testimonies, Translation and Preaching
  • Working with the Locals
  • Remunerations and Wages for the Locals
  • Requests for Assistance
  • The Love of Christ in Action
  • Giving to the Poor and Needy
  • What you Hope to Achieve
  • Getting Ready to Return Home
  • Back at Home
  • Appendices
  • Sources and notes

    Order the book in our store here.