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.

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

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On September 19, 2026, join us in Sacramento, California, for our annual convention, Mission: Maranatha. You’ll be inspired by volunteer testimonies, stories from the mission field, and updates from Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders around the globe. Plus, be blessed by Oakwood University's award-winning choir, The Aeolians.

Learn more at https://maranatha.org/media-events/maranatha-convention/