Church Talk | Ep 52: Five Traits for Transformational Short-Term Missions - with Glenn Russell

"What makes a short-term mission trip truly effective—for both the people you serve and the team that goes? In this episode, Dr. Glenn Russell joins Joe Kidder to share five foundational principles for more impactful mission projects: spiritual leadership, biblical and missiological grounding, partnership, cultural intelligence, and training.

Drawing from decades of experience and more than 100 mission trips around the world, Dr. Russell offers practical insights on how churches can plan and lead short-term and domestic mission trips that make a lasting difference. From preparing your team spiritually to working with local partners and understanding cross-cultural dynamics, this episode is a masterclass in effective mission ministry.

If your church wants to move beyond “mission tourism” toward meaningful, Spirit-led service, this conversation is for you. Learn how to build long-term relationships, prepare your team well, and engage in missions that glorify God and transform lives."