Even though The Lakota Journey focuses on impacting the Rosebud Indian Reservation, an unintended side effect is that churches that go are profoundly affected. Bentley says, "Most of the churches that have started have come back and are catching the vision. There is something they feel that is worth it, their approach to missions has been affected. They are rethinking what it means to be missional and it brings me joy to know The Lakota Journey has been a part of that."

The impact does not affect just the churches. Many students cannot quit coming back to the reservation and continue to come back during their college years to work as interns over the entire summer. There is something infectious about building relationships that matter. Once you've developed a true bond, it becomes inhuman to abandon it. That is what The Lakota Journey hopes to instill in the groups that come to serve. "We've only lost a couple of churches over the years," Bentley admits. "There are many churches who come out with us in June one year, but don't the next. They still do things over the summer the following years. Even though we don't retain them, they have caught the vision and are involved on their own."

This is what makes The Lakota Journey such an impactful organization. Their focus is not on growing The Lakota Journey network to be the next biggest and popular ministry. Instead, they focus on getting people to get excited about building long-term relationships. All that is important to Bentley is that they continue to come back and that they do not abandon the relationships they have started to build.

The Lakota Journey proves that there is a way to do short term missions with a long-term benefit. While critics are eager to tear down the trend of short-term missions, it does not mean the entire concept of short-term missions must be completely deconstructed. You don't have to reinvent the wheel; sometimes all you need to do is adjust. It seems that Bentley has done just that.

The Lakota Journey is always looking for more churches to get involved with their ministry. Bentley states, "I've turned away more churches than we've accepted. We are a lot pickier in that sense. If the person on the other side of the phone says that they are interested in our model, then we talk some more. We are kind of selective, but it is a necessary filtering process."

While it may sound harsh, it is crucial if they want to keep in line with their mission and vision. The filtering is a must. This is not the place to come and do a one-time trip, in fact, it can be dangerous if that is what you are looking for. You may come seeking a one-time experience but find yourself getting sucked in by the numerous needs and the unique personalities you will find on the reservation. You won't be able to do anything but come back year after year.

Click the following link if you have a church or youth group that is interesting in getting involved with The Lakota Journey.

Tone Hoeft blogs and podcasts about culture, media and faith at InProximity.org.