For many people, God uses this time to steer them toward a lifetime of involvement in missions. Even if the short-term experience doesn't lead you to career missions, the experience will forever change your perspective on God's world. You will be able to speak from experience and help others realize that they, too, should be involved in missions. Back to Questions 2. Short-term experiences are almost as varied as the number of people that fill them.
Some individuals spend a few weeks overseas.
Others spend a summer in ministry while still others devote a year or two. The length of service is usually determined by one or two factors. One is the length of the specific need that the short-termer fills. An evangelistic crusade will obviously be shorter than teaching a year of school. The other factor is the length of time that the short-term missionary is available.