Inside Missions

Are short-term missions genuinely helping host communities, or could they be causing unintentional harm? Maranatha’s VP of Marketing, Julie Lee, leads a transparent discussion that addresses the most pressing ethical debates surrounding modern missionary service. Joined by Maranatha country director Elmer Barbosa, VP of Volunteer Services Lisandro Staut, and veteran mission leader Dr. Steve Case, this episode traces the roots of short term missions from their post-WWII idealistic origins to today's global travel landscape

The panel examines common critiques, including savior complexes, spiritual tourism, local economic disruption, and community dependency. Is sending short-term volunteers a misdirection of resources, or can these projects be designed to support long-term goals and empower local leadership?

Whether you are an experienced volunteer, church group leader, or supporter, this episode provides an honest examination of how Maranatha Volunteers International addresses these ethical challenges while continuously striving to improve its global operations. Explore the history, analyze the pitfalls, and discover actionable insights on how to conduct short-term mission trips responsibly, sustainably, and effectively in an ever-changing world.

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Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

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What is it really like to go on a mission trip for high schoolers? Hear from teens Audrey Welty, Ezri Emmanuel, and Jonah Cicle as they give an unfiltered look at Ultimate Workout 36 in the Dominican Republic. From travel mishaps and initial culture shock to making lifelong friends and experiencing powerful spiritual breakthroughs, hear how service transformed their faith and perspective.

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Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

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We reflect on Maranatha’s 28-year history in India as we prepare to close our effort there. Since opening a field office in 1998, Maranatha has completed approximately 3,600 projects across the country, including constructing more than 2,000 churches, 1,200 water wells, and 700 school structures. These extensive development efforts contributed directly to tremendous church growth, helping increase Seventh-day Adventist membership in India from around 200,000 to more than one million today, representing 40 percent of all Adventist church buildings nationwide. In this episode, the team shares personal memories, discuss key initiatives like the India 2000 campaign and large-scale water projects, and address the challenging decision to conclude operations in India by the end of 2026. Through reflections on favorite foods, local culture, and impactful community outreach, this episode celebrates the enduring legacy of faith, service, and partnership built by donors and volunteers over nearly three decades.

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Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

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As 2026 comes to a close, we’re asking for you to give to the mission so we can continue making a difference around the world, constructing churches, schools, and water wells. 

Whether you give $50, $500, or $5,000–every dollar makes an impact on the mission to share the gospel through construction! Thank you in advance for your generosity all the way through December 31. Make a gift at maranatha.org/give2026 or give us a call at 800-467-6384.  

Maranatha’s re-launched mission project designed specifically for young adults aged 18–28 landed in the high-altitude landscape of southern Peru in July 2026, where 40 volunteers faced the physical challenges of working at 12,500 feet, and the bitter cold to build a new church for the congregation in Calapuja. Two young adult participants, Maranatha’s new communications coordinator, Victoria Smith Alvarez, and project co-leader Corbin Weiss, share personal insights on why this age demographic is at a unique crossroads in life and how a mission experience can help navigate those transitions.

From the hands-on reality of laying block walls for the first time to the rewarding moments of hosting medical and children’s programs, the panel reflects on what it takes to balance demanding project logistics while fostering a deep spiritual experience and social connections. Whether you are curious about the mechanics of a Maranatha mission trip or interested in the transformative impact of service on young adult growth, this episode offers a candid look at the memories, challenges, and lasting connections made during the Catalyst project in Peru.

Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.

Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!

As 2026 comes to a close, we’re asking for you to give to the mission so we can continue making a difference around the world, constructing churches, schools, and water wells. 

Whether you give $50, $500, or $5,000–every dollar makes an impact on the mission to share the gospel through construction! Thank you in advance for your generosity all the way through December 31. Make a gift at maranatha.org/give2026 or give us a call at 800-467-6384.  

We dive into the heart of Ultimate Workout (UW), Maranatha’s mission project for teens, fresh off the 36th iteration of the longstanding project. For more than three decades, UW has been a defining experience for high school volunteers. In this episode, UW leaders go behind the scenes to discuss the intricate logistics, the challenges of orchestrating such a massive project, and the unique spiritual atmosphere that makes these trips so transformative. Beyond the construction stats and travel stories, we explore the heart of the mission: the worship, the Bible studies, and the profound questions teens wrestle with today. Discover how these volunteers navigate the complexities of international missions and hear the powerful, personal moments where they witnessed Jesus working in the lives of the teens. 

Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.

Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!

As 2026 comes to a close, we’re asking for you to give to the mission so we can continue making a difference around the world, constructing churches, schools, and water wells. 

Whether you give $50, $500, or $5,000–every dollar makes an impact on the mission to share the gospel through construction! Thank you in advance for your generosity all the way through December 31. Make a gift at maranatha.org/give2026 or give us a call at 800-467-6384.  

Explore Maranatha’s profound, decades-long history in the Dominican Republic. Tracing the journey from early post-Hurricane David relief in the 1980s to the pivotal "Santo Domingo ’92" project, the team discusses how a landmark mission involving 1,200 volunteers building 25 churches in 70 days transformed Maranatha’s approach to global service. The conversation delves into the organization’s significant footprint in the region, featuring over 500 structures—including 238 churches—and examines why this specific partnership has remained a cornerstone of their work.

Listeners will gain insights into the "ripple effect" of these projects, where a single structure often serves as a catalyst for exponential growth in church membership and community planting. Beyond the numbers, the guests reflect on evolving construction strategies, the unique spirit of the Dominican volunteer experience, and the strategic vision for the future. Whether you are a long-time supporter or new to the mission, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the enduring collaboration between Maranatha and the people of the Dominican Republic.

Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.

Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!

As 2026 comes to a close, we’re asking for you to give to the mission so we can continue making a difference around the world, constructing churches, schools, and water wells. 

Whether you give $50, $500, or $5,000–every dollar makes an impact on the mission to share the gospel through construction! Thank you in advance for your generosity all the way through December 31. Make a gift at maranatha.org/give2026 or give us a call at 800-467-6384.  

In this episode we uncover the origin story of one of Maranatha’s most iconic mission trips: our annual high school project, Ultimate Workout (UW). Long-time UW leader Steve Case and the visionary for the project, Chris Blake, join our VP of volunteer services, Lisandro Staut, to share how this idea came to Chris in the late 1980’s, and how the program evolved from a bold experiment into a life-changing tradition spanning four decades. The guys track the program from the initial project in Brazil in 1990 with 14 kids, to the program growing quickly after tragedy inspired a wave of new volunteers. The panel discusses how the core mission has remained relevant for teenagers even as the world has changed, and how it has continued to shape the next generation of mission-minded leaders. 

Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.

Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!

As 2026 comes to a close, we’re asking for you to give to the mission so we can continue making a difference around the world, constructing churches, schools, and water wells. 

Whether you give $50, $500, or $5,000–every dollar makes an impact on the mission to share the gospel through construction! Thank you in advance for your generosity all the way through December 31. Make a gift at maranatha.org/give2026 or give us a call at 800-467-6384.  

Join us for a special episode of Inside Missions as we celebrate a significant milestone: 10 years of Maranatha Volunteers International’s work in Kenya. With more than 1,200 structures built, including churches and classrooms, and more than 2,000 volunteers deployed, the impact on the ground has been immense. Our panel dives into the unique challenges and blessings of working in Kenya—a country defined by its incredible geographic diversity, strong tribal traditions, and a deeply welcoming culture.

We explore the philosophical and ethical questions that arise when our work intersects with remote, nomadic communities, and discuss why volunteers consistently report such a deep, life-changing connection to their time in Kenya. From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the remote tribal lands of the Daasanach, discover how these interactions have shaped not just the landscape, but the hearts of everyone involved. Whether you are a long-time Maranatha supporter or new to our mission, this conversation offers a profound look at the enduring legacy of service and relationship-building in East Africa.

Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.

Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!

As 2026 comes to a close, we’re asking for you to give to the mission so we can continue making a difference around the world, constructing churches, schools, and water wells. 

Whether you give $50, $500, or $5,000–every dollar makes an impact on the mission to share the gospel through construction! Thank you in advance for your generosity all the way through December 31. Make a gift at maranatha.org/give2026 or give us a call at 800-467-6384.  

Staff from our volunteer department dismantle common misconceptions about volunteering with Maranatha, including four major myths. Does Maranatha only use volunteer labor? Do short term missions yield sustainable results? Are there any limits on who can volunteer? Do you have to live in rough conditions for a mission trip to count?

The panel discusses how our in-country construction crews around the world support the mission, and they bust the notion that only the retired or the wealthy can serve, affirming that Maranatha projects are open to a wide variety of people, regardless of age, financial background, or disability. They address the criticism that short-term missions never yield sustainable results, offering powerful examples of lasting impact from Maranatha construction projects. Finally, the team describes the reality of living conditions on our mission trips, assuring listeners that mission trips do not have to be an uncomfortable experience to count, and explaining the benefits of a certain level of comfort for volunteers. And the group tackles some rapid-fire questions, revealing funny volunteer interactions and key advice for first-time volunteers.

Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.

Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!

As 2026 comes to a close, we’re asking for you to give to the mission so we can continue making a difference around the world, constructing churches, schools, and water wells. 

Whether you give $50, $500, or $5,000–every dollar makes an impact on the mission to share the gospel through construction! Thank you in advance for your generosity all the way through December 31. Make a gift at maranatha.org/give2026 or give us a call at 800-467-6384.  

Long-time Maranatha leader and adjunct professor at Andrews University, Dr. Steve Case, joins the show for a discussion on one of the most compelling and confounding topics about the mission field: miracles. The discussion is sparked by Maranatha’s vice president of marketing, Julie Lee, and her recent media trip to India, where story after story confirmed that churches were being established after healings of the sick and lame, often in remote areas with no access to modern healthcare. This episode explores the "who, what, when, why, and how" of divine intervention, and what it means for those serving on mission trips.

The panel gets honest about their personal, sometimes skeptical, reactions to stories of the supernatural they’ve heard and seen firsthand. They wrestle with the fundamental questions: How do you define a miracle? Is it okay to be skeptical, and should we try to explain these events away? What does the Bible actually say about them?

The conversation broadens to explore the role of culture, as Case shares his research on how North American Christians, specifically Seventh-day Adventists, process the supernatural differently than their counterparts across the globe. Ultimately, the team explores whether God reveals Himself differently overseas than in the United States and how we can open ourselves up to seeing and embracing the miracles in our life, right here at home.

Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.

Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.

Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!

As 2026 comes to a close, we’re asking for you to give to the mission so we can continue making a difference around the world, constructing churches, schools, and water wells. 

Whether you give $50, $500, or $5,000–every dollar makes an impact on the mission to share the gospel through construction! Thank you in advance for your generosity all the way through December 31. Make a gift at maranatha.org/give2026 or give us a call at 800-467-6384.