Tori MacDonald
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My Story
In January 2020, I embarked on a life-changing short-term mission trip to Lesvos, Greece with GEM through my college, Taylor University. That experience became a turning point—where the Lord shaped my heart for missions in Europe and sparked a passion for stewarding the unique power of short-term ministry experiences.
Inspired, I went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and a Master’s in Outdoor & Adventure Leadership with a focus on Higher Education & Student Development from Wheaton College. These programs equipped me to design programming that is both theologically grounded and practically effective—creating opportunities for transformation through cross-cultural engagement.
Through my experiences with GEM and my background in camp ministry, I’ve seen how intercultural, short-term, and missional opportunities can be powerful catalysts—forming resilient, faithful followers of Christ who are ready to engage both global and local contexts with Kingdom vision and bold obedience to the Great Commission.
Where I Work
Based in Chicagoland, I serve as GEM’s Short-Term Teams & Training Coordinator. My day to day is filled with working with teams from churches and universities as they prepare for and engage with meaningful short-term missions. I build relationships with team leaders and ministry partners, design and lead training for spiritual growth and cultural sensitivity, and coach participants before, during, and after their experiences. My prayer is this: that the Gospel might be proclaimed in Europe and that every team would return shaped by God’s work—resilient, faithful, and ready to live out the Great Commission wherever the Lord leads next.
Would you partner with me in this work?