The holidays are a time when many missionaries feel the full weight of the sacrifices they’ve made and the losses they have experienced to take the gospel to the nations. Well-loved holiday traditions and celebrations are replaced by sharp feelings of loneliness and homesickness as they spend the season far from family and friends in an environment that looks drastically different.

Advent provides a unique opportunity for churches and supporters to encourage and care for their missionaries. Here are seven ways to support missionaries this Christmas.

1. Pray for them and with them.

We can never talk about missionary care without first talking about prayer. It is the most impactful way supporters can encourage their missionaries. As we enter the holidays, remember your missionaries when you pray alone, as a family, and as a church. Get creative on ways to pray together. For example, one family set up a prayer Advent calendar to intentionally pray for missionaries each day. Pray that as they wrestle through challenging emotions they will find peace, comfort, and joy in the Lord. Pray God would meet any financial, health-related, and ministry needs. Pray the Christmas season would open doors to many gospel conversations and God would protect them from any heightened spiritual warfare.

A powerful way to lift the heaviness of their spirits is to organize a virtual prayer time that connects them with believers who love them. Including pastors and elders in the call can be particularly meaningful for missionaries. Give missionaries space to share what is weighing on their hearts, listen without rushing to offer solutions, and express your love by faithfully lifting them up in prayer.

2. Send them a Christmas card or record a video of appreciation.

Sending Christmas card is a simple way to make missionaries feel seen and thought of during a season where they can easily feel forgotten and alone. It’s even better if you can add personalization that acknowledges their situation, i.e. where they are serving, the names of their kids, whether they are single or married.

If mailing a card internationally is not possible, consider sending Christmas greetings virtually. Film and upload a video or collection of videos of several friends, family, and church members expressing Christmas wishes and prayers or compile written messages from their loved ones into a typed document or digital card.

Be sure to be mindful of and follow all security concerns for workers in sensitive locations. Ask them what you can and cannot include in any messages sent over the internet or through the mail.

3. Include them in your holiday events virtually.

Does your church do a Christmas concert? Special Advent services or prayer meetings? A tree lighting? Send missionaries live stream links or recordings so that they can engage in the celebrations at home. Participating in Christmas events can bring a sense of normalcy as so often the lead up to Christmas on the field looks completely different.

If you are hosting a holiday party, is it possible to include a time where your missionary can join virtually? Consider organizing a game that they can participate in or a brief video call where everyone wishes them a Merry Christmas. Many missionaries delight in joining these festivities even from afar.

4. Send them a care package.

Another way to gift missionaries a sense of normalcy is to send them a care package with their favorite items from the U.S. It can be a mix of seasonal staples and goods that are unavailable to them on the field such as spice packets, candy canes, games, newly published books, candles and lotions, ornaments, and small Christmas decorations.

While it is fun to think about surprising your missionary, it is best to ask them first what items would be most beneficial and the best way to get them there. As international shipping is expensive, consider splitting the cost with others.

5. Cover the cost of a Christmas meal or gifts.

If sending a package is not feasible, consider giving them a personal financial gift (please note—this is different than a tax-deductible year-end gift to their support account.) Missionaries often have tight budgets and are usually looking for ways to cut any unnecessary expenses.

Covering the cost of a special Christmas meal, contributing to a holiday getaway, purchasing gift cards to a nice restaurant, or sending money directly via peer-to-peer services like Venmo or Zelle for missionaries to buy Christmas gifts for their children have all been ways supporters have greatly cared for missionaries during the holidays. (Personal gifts should be given directly to the missionary, not sent to MTW.)

6. Invite missionaries on HMA or family members in the U.S. over for dinner.

Home ministry assignment can be an exhausting time of travel, support-raising, and managing field ministry from afar. Inviting missionaries on HMA over for Christmas dinner is an easy way to offer reprieve and show hospitality during a busy time.

Don’t forget about the family members of missionaries, either. Missionary kids in the U.S. for college can find themselves without a place to go for Christmas break. Parents of missionaries may also feel especially lonely and sad celebrating Christmas without their kids and grandkids. Opening your home to these family members can give missionaries peace of mind knowing their loved ones are cared for and blesses everyone involved with the gift of connection and fellowship.

7. Give them an additional financial gift toward their ministry.

The end of the year is often a time when missionaries review their support accounts and assess any needs or deficits. This makes the holidays a perfect time to give an additional gift to their support account.

Every year-end gift is a blessing that helps relieve financial pressure and reminds them of your partnership in the gospel. Additional financial support encourages missionaries during a potentially emotional and demanding season. If you support MTW missionaries, you can give a year-end gift here and still be eligible for the 2025 tax deduction.

Taking special care to remember your missionaries during the holidays can lead to great kingdom impact for your missionary. Your thoughtfulness encourages them, strengthens your partnership in the gospel, and reflects the generosity of Christ. Even small acts during the holidays can bring lasting joy to those faithfully serving on the frontlines of God’s mission.

Give your missionary an extra gift this GivingTuesday or during the Christmas season. Find your missionary or give a 2025 year-end gift to help support new missionaries at 2025 Year-End Giving – Encourage Your Missionary.