MODULE 3 - Section 2

One of the goals of hosting a short-term team is to help fast-track long-term transformation in your community. Of course, teams provide a boost of prayer, people-power, and funding that can move ministry goals forward, but one of short-term teams' greatest assets is their ability to bring people together - relationships!

Short-term teams can help build trust and favor with locals on your behalf in a multitude of ways. For example, they can aid your efforts to change negative stereotypes, leading locals to alter their perspective on Americans, Jesus, and the work you are doing. Teams can further the relational in-roads you’ve already been building in a way that you may not able to, while affirming the tangible, intentional ways you've been engaging the community

The question then becomes: How can you deepen your existing community relationships or form new ones through the presence of a short-term team? Consider this as you are planning and scheduling team activities.

For now, here is one practical possibility: by supporting local businesses. This could be through team members’ personal purchases or through the necessary expenditures a team requires (lodging, transportation, meals, project materials, etc.). The side panel offers various ways you can can utilize a team to build and/or strengthen relationships in your community. In addition to this list, are there other local services not listed that you could use in your context?

As you read through the list, think about the people these categories represent, not just the examples themselves. Then consider the influence and impact the people behind these items have on your community. While you do not need to utilize local business 100% of the time or have every aspect of the short-term team engage local relationships, the goal is to consider the possibilities and take advantage of opportunities where hosting a team favors local relationship building and furthering long-term transformation.