What Makes STEM Unique?
There are many other great short-term mission programs and short-term mission agencies in addition to STEM. But some of the things that make STEM unique are:
3-Fold Field outreach Strategy
Nearly all STEM Ministries Teams are trained to provide a “balanced” 3-fold approach in their mission outreach activities consisting of: (1) evangelism, (2) construction work, and (3) mercy/service/creative ministries. This means the normal STEM Team is not usually just a construction-only team, or sports-only team, or a drama-only team.
Multiple Fields
STEM offers more than a dozen different mission fields for your short-term mission outreach. This gives you great options! Plus, if there’s a last-minute issue in the nation you’ve selected, we can often re-train and re-route you to another one of our fields if you’d like (this actually happens about once every year).
All Ages
Even though most STEM Teams are youth or college-age or young adult, STEM Team Members have ranged in age from grade school (ages 8 and even younger) up to people in their 80s.
All Christian Backgrounds
STEM accepts Team Members from virtually any Christian church background, provided the person adheres to our 9-point Evangelical Doctrinal Statement of Faith.
Any Time of the Year
STEM can help you form your own Team to any one of our field locations virtually any time of the year that works best for you.
Certified Team Leaders
STEM screens, trains (and routinely re-trains) our STEM Team Leaders in compliance with the 7 U.S. Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission.
Extensive Training Options
We provide each STEM Sending Partner with a very extensive "Sending Partner Training Manual" which covers all aspects of preparation: spiritual, cross-cultural, financial, logistical, ministry, team. This Manual also includes on-field training and orientation, debriefing at the end of the outreach, as well as follow-up after the team’s return.
It is up to each individual Sending Partner how they use the Sending Partner Training Manual materials. When following the recommendations in this Manual, a typical team will meet at least five times before their outreach to prepare as thoroughly as possible. This investment of pre-field training time makes a big difference in the Team's fruitfulness on the field.
Each Team Member also receives copies of training materials that cover all phases of their outreach — pre-field, on-field, and post-field.
For more STEM Team Training information, please see "Training You'll Receive."
