Despite the abundance of advertisements for the short-term mission trips this summer, there is a lack of male applicants. Though traditionally there have been a fewer number of men who apply to be team members, both team leaders and administrators alike realize it is not as important to have males on the team as it is to have people who have been called by God.
The Student Missionary Union (SMU) aspires to empower and train students for the mission field and give them the opportunity to serve with their peers as they take the gospel to other nations. According to SMU Director Philip, who requests that his surname remain unprinted for security and safety issues related to missions, one main facet of SMU are the short-term trips that go out over interterm, spring break and summer.
“It is our goal that team members and leaders with a desire to reach the nations with the gospel go on trips. We try to get the word out about these trips via emails, signs and word of mouth, all the while realizing it is the Holy Spirit that works in each student’s heart,” Philip said.
Due to a lack of male team members, however, Team China was in danger of being canceled earlier this week. Fortunately, God has provided two males and possibly a third.
“At times I felt a bit discouraged, yet overall I felt God's peace, and I knew His hand was on us even as we passed up numerous deadlines for applications, and there still were no men,” Team China leader Sarah, who also requests the anonymity of her surname, said.
Both she and her co-leader have submitted their team to the Lord, and realize that the entire process of team recruiting has really been an experience for learning to trust God, especially in His timing and in His provision. According to Philip, there are various reasons behind the lack of male volunteers. It may simply be because there are more women than men at Biola. The nature of the mission trip may also be a deterrent, as nurturing babies at an orphanage is not an activity that most men relish.
Senior Aaron Smith said that time, or the lack thereof, is also a determining factor. He was a member of the Utah mission trip his freshman year and would love to go again, but there simply isn’t time. As a film major, it is imperative that he utilizes every moment of his spare time to work on film projects.
Junior Stetson Butler offered a different perspective.
“I haven’t been on a mission trip yet, and I don’t think I will,” Butler said. “It’s not to say that I think they have a bad program or anything — it’s just that I wouldn’t.”
A film major as well, his focal mission field is Hollywood, so his perspective is that he doesn’t need SMU to “hook him up” with anything.
“I would definitely go, but I just don’t feel that God’s calling me out there right now,” Butler said.
There is not just a lack of interest in short-term missions trips, but rather most ministries on campus, said Philip.
Junior Geoff Hughes feels that some men do not apply because of laziness or because they enjoy comfort too much, as it is easier to not worry about getting yourself on a team. Or, it may even be because they are afraid of failure.
Hughes himself has dealt with an incidence of failure in missions. As a member of Team Thailand a previous year, he took much of the blame when the group was unable to go. However, he has made some valuable discoveries because of this.
“Through that experience, I learned that I can’t fail into mediocrity or just fail to try any longer, which is partially why it’s disappointing that more guys aren’t applying, as if they’re afraid to fail,” Hughes said.
He is currently a member of Team China, one of the three men including their co-leader.
Hughes feels that we are all called to serve in missions in one form or another, and this place of service is a gift of grace given only by God.
“We could play video games and watch YouTube all day,” said Hughes. “Or we could really let God rock us and change us and bring us closer to His heart. It’s two different kinds of pleasures that people are seeking after.”
