Date

5-20-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership (PhD)

Chair

Micheal Pardue

Keywords

international mission trip, mission involvement, spiritual growth, student missions

Disciplines

Missions and World Christianity

Abstract

Mission teams from churches of all sizes across the United States participate in international mission trips throughout the year. Taking the gospel of Christ to the lost is the heartbeat of those participating on international mission trips. As more and more churches become involved in the Great Commission through these trips, short-term missionaries have an opportunity to not only impact people from other cultures around the world but influence their own lives as well. Potential areas of impact for short-term missionaries include future spiritual growth, especially in the areas of core Christian disciplines. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to understand the relationship, if any, between short-term international mission trip participation and the perceived primary spiritual growth outcomes applicable to enhanced prayer, discipleship, worship, service, and Christian community. A quantitative survey methodology was used to determine the relationship that exists between short-term international mission trips and the selected assessment criteria.

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