God never gave those fulfilling His Great Commission an age limit. Among those open to the skills and wisdom that older people bring to international mission are workers serving with Christian organisation Operation Mobilisation (OM).

Now, in response to growing enquiries from the young at heart, OM has specifically conceived a range of short-term mission programmes with the early or semi-retired in mind. Spaces on these outreaches are filling up fast.

The Next Adventure programme is one such programme that has been planned for the older generation. Taking place in Chile from 23 October until 3 November, the schedule of events includes encouraging local believers, helping handicapped adults and proclaiming Christ to prison inmates.

Conducted at a not-too-strenuous pace, opportunities for sightseeing have also been built in among the activities. OM’s team in Switzerland is also inviting the over 50s to join a short-term outreach from 24 July to Friday 6 August. This programme will see participants presenting the Gospel to tourists visiting the country.

“Although senior applicants are welcome on most OM outreaches, once they know that we have options specifically tailored for them, they are very interested,” said Anna Smith, who oversees British applicants to OM's short-term mission trips.

“Our international teams report that the over 50s bring both maturity and many valuable life skills to the ministry and this is something that we are very happy to facilitate.”

Once older participants have returned home, the door remains open, health permitting, for them to return longer-term to the team they have assisted.

Operation Mobilisation sends hundreds of British Christians on short and long-term mission trips each year.

On the web:
Details and dates of this year’s outreaches can be found at www.uk.om.org