Short-Term Mission Trips

By Rev. Kristi Lounsbury

Short-term mission trips open a window of discovery for the global Cumberland Presbyterian Church and its members. They allow Cumberland Presbyterian brothers and sisters worldwide to become friends sharing common experiences. Short-term mission trips are essential to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

After discussing these important points about shortterm mission trips, three members of the Missions Ministry Team (Milton Ortiz, Lynn Thomas, and Kristi Lounsbury) have determined that each year at least two mission trip opportunities will be sponsored and led by a Missions Ministry Team member. Of course, circumstances beyond our control may alter these plans from time-to-time.

The first short-term mission trip will be held April 22-29, 2023. The destination is Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, Inc. in Wimauma, Florida, south of Tampa. Beth-El is a ministry partner of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Local presbyteries in Florida have primary roles in supporting this mission. The Missions Ministry Team, through Our United Outreach, monetarily supports the mission. Reverend Kristi Lounsbury serves on the Board of Directors as a liaison for the CP Denomination.

Beth-El feeds the Mind, Spirit, and Body of the farmworking community and neighbors in need, through opportunities for hunger relief, education, healthcare, and spiritual growth. Some of the opportunities available during this mission trip will include feeding farm workers, sorting donations, visiting local farms, general clean-up, and worshiping with the on-campus community.

The beautiful landscape of rural Brazil will be the scene for the second short-term mission trip. A church and small campsite, inspired by the Japanese culture, Mata De Sao Joao, Bahia, Brazil, is home to where many retreats and children’s events take place for those in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

This will be the third trip the Ministry Council has taken to Brazil. The first two trips, led by Jodi Rush (Children and Family Ministries) concentrated primarily on working with the children’s ministries, which are flourishing. The focus will again be on the children in the area churches and in the retreat setting. The women’s ministry is an additional ministry that is continuing to grow and has been financially supported by the Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry. Other focuses will include the men’s and women’s ministry and leadership opportunities. This trip is scheduled for July 19-29, 2023. The length of the trip includes a full day of travel on both ends of the trip as well as incorporating time to enjoy the sites of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The purpose of the trip is to build relationships with other Cumberland Presbyterians. If you have the desire to travel and enjoy the presence of God in another place with other mission-minded CPs, please contact Kristi Lounsbury at klounsbury@cumberland.org for more information including estimated costs and an application to be a part of something life changing.