Are today’s modern-day short term mission trips advancing the gospel or feeding Christians’ wanderlust?
This isn’t an easy blog to write. I know that it’ll probably get backlash. But something has to be said.
There seems to now be an extremely blurry line between genuine missions and vacation-style travel. And as harmless as it may seem since we’re still going “for the Lord,” there are important questions that we should answer. Avoiding them could greatly harm the great commission, the people who go, and those who send.
Some Ground Rules: I will try my best to explore both sides of the debate, ground the discussion in biblical teachings, share personal experiences, and analyze troubling financial realities. I won’t pretend like I’m absolutely sure of all of this. But hopefully, just bringing this to light will spark more conversations moving forward.
My only hope is for a deeper reflection on how we approach missions, and a heart for all those who want to be involved in God’s greater work to bring His message to the ends of the earth.
Missions or Vacations?
Wanderlust has seemed to sprout wings in today’s culture. The thrill of discovering new destinations, the envy of exotic travels, and the constant comparison on social media- these have made exploring the world a coveted experience.
People long for the excitement of seeing new sights, savoring fine dining abroad, and reconnecting with distant family members. The powerful urge to travel often paints a picture of adventure and personal enrichment that’s hard to resist.
Yet, in recent times, it seems there has been a messy hybrid between these leisure-based travels and short-term missions in churches.
A mission trip is meant to be so much more than a leisurely escape. It is a call to selfless service—a dedicated effort to share the love of Christ, serve communities, and spread the Gospel.
Genuine missions are built on humility, sacrifice, and the commitment to meet both physical and spiritual needs.
But at times, we see short-term missioners on these “mission trips.” The highlight, however, isn’t the love, service, or work. It’s on the small side trips, guided tours, and foodie adventures. We see more Facebook stories of sceneries.
And, of course, I understand that some missions work is sensitive and shouldn’t be shared publicly. But often, you see these cases and it raises innocent questions like “Did they go to serve or explore?”
One might argue that it’s both. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a little bit when going. I get that. But there are more important things at play, which I’ll break down later in this article.
More importantly, which of the two is our MAIN objective?
Ces once spoke to a church leader about travel. She encouraged us to visit Cambodia, which we never thought of visiting. She said that we would rather use our travel fund for other destinations. The leader then proceeded to suggest that we go on a missions trip to Cambodia instead so we wouldn’t have to spend our own travel funds.
Show Me the Money
A closer look at the financial side of missions reveals some sobering statistics.
In 2024, OpenAI— one of today’s fastest-growing companies— made $3.7 billion. And as fast as artificial intelligence has grown over the years, there are still other industries bigger than it. For instance, over $11.4 billion goes to foreign missions annually.
Yet it’s disconcerting to see that only about 1.7% of this “Missions Giving” reaches unreached people groups. These numbers raise significant questions about accountability and priorities.
When such a small portion of funds is directed toward the most needy and unreached communities, there seems to be a misalignment between the generous giving of many believers and the intended purpose of missions.
Are we, as a church, inadvertently enabling a system where travel and personal experiences are the priority over sustainable and impactful service?
What Does the Bible Have to Say About Missions?
The Bible provides a strong foundation for understanding the true essence of missions. Scriptures such as Matthew 28:19-20, often referred to as the Great Commission, command believers to “go and make disciples of all nations.”
But God’s Word also urges us in Proverbs 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.” Jeremiah 17:10 also says “I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
In other words, I don’t question AT ALL the importance of the ACT of going. But I think we need to really spend more time evaluating the HEART of why we go.
Early Christians embraced missions with fervor, often at great personal cost. Their journeys were marked by humility, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to God’s call.
Today, it’s hard to say that all mission-goers have the same desire. So, the first call I want to personally make is a call to examine our hearts.
When we go, what is our true desire? Which takes precedence over the other? What message are sending to those who witness our going? Do we encourage them with our works? Are we truly the best people to go and make a difference in that community?
Personal Experiences: A Journey with Missions
I can’t keep going without confessing something— I’ve gone on mission trips myself. Both locally and internationally.
Those who know me know that Ces and I go on missions trips to Hong Kong. And I know how that can sometimes raise some eyebrows. It seems quite convenient that our heart to serve the nations aligns so perfectly with one of the best places to go for tourism in Asia.
But even before heading on our first missions trip in 2018, Ces and I had a deep conversation. And we also weighed our hearts before God deeply. I first heard God’s call to go to Hong Kong for missions in 2008. It took ten years before I went.
And there was one major reason why— Hong Kong is expensive. One 10-day trip to Hong Kong would cost nowhere lower than $1,000 per head.
But I didn’t want to raise partnership (a form of asking for donations from people so you can go on a mission trip) from givers who would doubt the work because they would see us on Avenue of Stars or Disneyland.
So, we decided that all our trips would be self-funded. Meaning we used money we raised from our own income to go. I’ve lost count of the number of missions trips we’ve gone to. But they’ve all been self-funded.
This was during a time when Ces and I were only bringing in ₱40,000 a month in monthly income— only close to enough for our personal needs. But we saw God expand our income.
More importantly, the trips where we wanted to go all out in Hong Kong travel-wise would be separate. We’ve gone on multiple trips to Hong Kong too that were purely for vacation. And we made that crystal clear in our own hearts and to other people too when we flew out to our favorite place on Earth.
We love Hong Kong, but we knew we had to tread that ground carefully. We wanted to remain above reproach in our heart to go.
Problems with the Current Mission Paradigm
With all that said, I can’t help but wonder if this is the desire we see for those who go.
The current landscape of missions presents a series of troubling issues. Generous funds are sometimes used in ways that favor the travel experience of mission-goers rather than the long-term needs of the communities served.
We’ve also seen in some instances how some would go to third-world countries for a mission trip, and then swing by a first-world one right after. The line then becomes blurred once again.
These practices risk turning missions into an extension of personal vacations.
For example, it’s not uncommon for mission trips to mix essential service with luxury travel elements—opportunities to eat out in high-end restaurants, stay in comfortable accommodations, or extend a service trip into a personal vacation.
While these experiences can provide valuable exposure to different cultures, they may also undermine the primary goal of missions: to serve selflessly and foster sustainable change.
Ultimately, when missions are influenced by a vacation mindset, the communities meant to benefit may receive only superficial help—a fleeting presence rather than a meaningful, lasting impact.
Then there’s the growing issue of the money that’s used for these mission trips. A big chunk of these come from people who sacrificially give, even beyond their tithe, to send others to the ends of the Earth to declare that Jesus is Lord.
People who give sacrifice too. They give up personal luxuries to partner with the work. But then the money they work hard to save and release goes into the hands of people with ulterior motives. I can’t possibly be the only person who thinks there could be an injustice there.
Then there is the issue of vocational ministers who use the pulpit and authority to raise these funds. They ask you to “prayerfully consider” partnering with them. Then you see them at a nice hotel having a hearty buffet breakfast.
A Call for Accountability and Re-evaluation
In light of these observations, here’s what I believe. Let me iterate that this isn’t absolute. I will admit that I might be completely wrong for even suggesting this.
But I would like to suggest that churches, mission organizations, missioners, pastors, and leaders re-examine their mission strategies.
We need to ask critical questions:
- Are we using missions as a disguised way to travel?
- What tangible fruits are these mission trips bearing?
- Should we require mission goers to be held accountable for the outcomes of their work?
I don’t want to discourage travel or cultural exchange. I also know that mission trips will have some fun aspects. You have to eat right? Yes, the hosting community will offer to bring you to some tourist spots.
In these cases, I don’t see any malice. But deep in our hearts, we need to ask if our mission trip is guided by the principles of service and sacrifice.
We might also need to start looking into transparency in financial allocations and a commitment to measurable impact. One friend recently told me about a pastor who asked for financial support to go on a mission trip to Europe. His Schengen visa got denied, but the pastor still implied if he could keep the money.
Churches must reorient their approach to ensure that missions fulfill their biblical mandate rather than simply providing a platform for personal enrichment.
Some practical steps could include:
- Establishing clear guidelines and objectives for mission trips.
- Implementing accountability measures to track the outcomes and impact.
- Encouraging ongoing partnerships with the communities served to ensure sustainability
If you’re planning to go, there are some important factors to consider:
- What is my intention in going?
- Am I keeping the mission trip the main and— possibly— the only desire?
- Will my photos and stories encourage the church to pray for the nations or will it only highlight my leisure activities?
- Am I being a good steward of the finances intended for God’s work?
- Is there a gifting, skill or message I can share that no other conveniently located minister or community can offer?
Final Thoughts
The debate between missions and vacations isn’t a matter of semantics— it touches on the very heart of what it means to serve. I know the line will remain blurry at times. But does that mean we should just accept that blurry boundary?
Biblical teachings remind us that missions are a sacred call to action. On the other hand, a desire for personal experiences can either reinforce or dilute that commitment.
When we examine the financial realities and current practices, the call for accountability becomes even more urgent.
While the allure of travel can sometimes overshadow this sacred duty, missions have been the force that has propelled the church forward. We reach nations and transform lives with the moving message of Christ’s love and finished work.
I am not suggesting that we eliminate missions—far from it. With many nations still unreached by the Gospel, people still need to go and the church still needs to send them.
But the motivations that compel us to “go” no longer seem to be as black and white as it once was. Hence, the essence of missions is no longer as preserved as it should be.
Is it time for churches and individuals to reflect honestly on their motivations and practices? Are we truly answering God’s call, or are we letting the lure of personal comfort overshadow the mission’s true purpose?
Asking these hard questions and taking deliberate steps toward accountability help us realign our efforts with the timeless call to serve selflessly.
I pray that every mission trip remains a genuine act of love and transformation. Until then, I accept the fact that this isn’t always the case. We must investigate.
Let this be a call for a heart check—a reminder that the essence of missions lies not in the destination or the journey, but in the impact we make on the lives of others.
