Why is follow-up important?

This question takes us back to the purpose of short term mission ministry. Why do most teams go out in the first place? What were they hoping to accomplish? Most of the time at least one of the team's goals is to experience spiritual growth. You're really going to struggle to accomplish that goal if you don't do follow-up. We come back to a busy life in this culture. We've had our mission experience, but then we have to get back to bills that need to be paid, and work that needs to be done. We can't properly process the experience we had because we're so busy. Serving your partner community should be the primary reason for going on the trip. But personal growth is important too. And if you have any hope for growth, you will not attain it without a good follow-up program.