Despite a possibly fruitful context for missionary recruitment, in the midst of fast-moving cultural change, North American missionary numbers are dropping steadily. The primary factor correlating with the development and implementation of long-term missionary commitments is a previous short-term mission experience. There are many obstacles to missionary recruitment, but high quality short-term mission programs can help young missionaries identify and work through the obstacles to a missionary vocation. The missionary community needs to develop more effective recruitment methods and can helpfully start with young people's cultural expectations as we provide spiritual guidance into missionary vocations.
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