Before you plan that next short-term mission trip…

By Mark Cutshall

It’s called the Warm Beach Camp Challenge Course, and for 15 single adults from First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, it proved to be one the most useful tools to prepare them for their upcoming short-term mission to Guatemala.

“The series of interactive trust-based challenges allowed us to think, work, play and celebrate together. We got to know each other and really learn that, on a mission trip, everyone’s voice and everyone’s gifts are important and needed. It is an invaluable experience,” says Rosalind Renshaw, Associate Pastor, who leads an annual mission trip to Central America.

“Because of the Challenge Course experience, we learned that we were only going to accomplish what we could do together; those who were typically out in front slowed down to be with the entire group,” says participant Craig Schoning.

“At Warm Beach, our facilitators were skilled. There was lots of humor. The exercises were fun and physically not difficult. Because of the Challenge Course, everyone felt valued and involved; no one felt left out.”

Mission accomplished.