The most effective training for short-term missions is gained  by active learning and not just by watching a video or reading a book. The training process begins roughly four months prior to departure (pre-field) and should continue on field and back home after your return (post-field). We highly recommend using a training curriculum such as The Next Mile for your team.

Sadly, many teams do not receive training and the impact to the field can be detrimental if teams arrive unprepared. Training should be mandatory for your team and include a minimum of 12 to 20 hours. Meet every other week to give team members a chance to complete assignments. It is also helpful to schedule an overnight team retreat, all day training, and/or a few extended meetings to cover topics in greater detail.

A DELTA STM Coach can train your short-term team and provide curriculum. DELTA's motto in training and preparation is that, "we would rather you fail here and succeed there, therefore everything in our training is intentional." As a result, pre-field training should simulate experiences that teams will face on-field and provide opportunities for failure. These experiences can occur in a safe environment where team members can process what they've learned together. Training should also include a variety of team building activities to develop unity and teamwork as well as cross-cultural exercises to simulate experiences teams face on the field. 

After 30 years of facilitating and training short-term teams, DELTA recommends training that addresses three core areas:  Christian Character, Community (or Team Building) and Culture.  Below are some ideas to get you started: 
DELTA Ministries can assist you with your Team Training, training for your Team Leaders or a more advanced course called Training Trainers.  

TEAM TRAINING - A customized onsite training will be provided from an experienced DELTA STM Coach. Teams are exposed to various interactive simulations designed to maximize their on-field experience. Training weekends focus on character transformation, the ABC's of short-term mission, cultural adaptation, team building and evangelism training. Each Team Member is provided the following resources: DISC Personality Profile and Workbook, Spiritual Journal, Debrief Materials and various Missions Resources.

TEAM LEADER TRAINING - The training for Team Trainers will help those who have been designated by their church to prepare their short-term mission teams for the field. Participants in this training examine critical content for training a team as well an effective delivery model. Participants will learn how to help a newly formed team prepare for cross-cultural ministry experience. In addition to core content of building character, team unity, and culture, participants select, lead and debrief experiential activities that will be useful when working with their own church teams.

TRAINING OF TRAINERS - The training for Team Trainers will help those who have been designated by their church to prepare their short-term mission teams for the field. Participants in this training examine critical content for training a team as well an effective delivery model. Participants will learn how to help a newly formed team prepare for cross-cultural ministry experience. In addition to core content of building character, team unity, and culture, participants select, lead and debrief experiential activities that will be useful when working with their own church teams

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