Caring for Missionaries at Every Stage

As the primary sending body for missions, the church has a responsibility to help care for their missionaries from the beginning to the end of their missionary experience. A missionary’s needs will change as they move through the different phases of their career. Discerning a call is different from support raising, which is different from life on the field and returning home. Below are ideas for ways sending churches can come alongside their missionaries at every stage in their ministry.

Caring for Those Discerning a Call

The majority of MTW missionaries come to Mission to the World through the recommendation of their churches. The church family plays an essential role in discipling and counseling those who sense a call toward missions. People who are considering a call to missions often have questions about whether God is truly calling them to serve. The church can help them discern this calling by encouraging them toward missional living in their local communities, providing them opportunities to exercise their ministry skills, affirming their desire and fit for serving cross-culturally, and seeking God’s will for them through prayer.

If and when it comes time to explore this call more specifically, the church can aid further by connecting them with a mission agency, sending them on a visit to a field, and helping them figure out the right location of service and ministry role.

It is important to remember that willingness to serve does not always equate to being called to vocational missions. Mission to the World and other agencies rely heavily on the church’s recommendation when evaluating a candidate’s readiness. Churches should be alert to red flags and guide those who may not yet be a good fit toward further spiritual and ministry growth.

Caring for Itinerating Missionaries

Itinerating missionaries are those who are getting ready to go and serve cross-culturally. This is usually a busy period of excitement and anticipation as they raise support and take care of logistics in the U.S. before they leave. Itineration is an important time for sending churches to step in with spiritual guidance and accountability. In MTW’s resource, “Creatively Caring for Your Missionaries," former MTW missionary Laura Doherty writes, "As future missionaries are preparing for their service on the field, they need their church to shepherd them toward awareness and growth in their areas of weakness. A sending body is best suited to discern where growth may be needed for an individual missionary, to walk alongside them in developing a growth plan, and to provide accountability to that growth.” When a missionary develops good growth habits before heading to the field, they’ll be better equipped for what lies ahead, have more resilience, and be better positioned to live out the gospel in front of others.  

Practically speaking, churches can help itinerating missionaries gain confidence in a variety of ministry settings by providing them opportunities to lead Bible studies, teach Sunday school, facilitate small groups, run an outreach program, and/or plan a church event—all of which they may have to do on the field. Finally, regularly praying with and for them, helping them pack, providing meals, and organizing a send-off event, can alleviate some of the stress and sadness associated with their transition.

Caring for Missionaries on the Field

A sending church’s support and encouragement for their missionaries while they are on the field can greatly impact the missionary’s health and sustainability for long-term service. We encourage churches to assign one member from the congregation—usually someone from the missions committee—to each missionary unit to regularly check in, keep up with that missionary’s specific prayer requests and challenges, and offer continued spiritual accountability. Maintaining consistent contact with missionaries in this way also positions the sending church to offer special support during seasons of intense difficulty or a crisis.

Churches can involve the rest of the congregation in missionary care by setting aside specific times of corporate prayer for missionaries, assembling and sending care packages or prayer letters, and visiting missionaries on the field.

Caring for Missionaries Returning to the U.S.

Whether they are coming for Home Ministry Assignment or permanently leaving the field, missionaries will need their church family when they return to the U.S. Those coming back on HMA often have many practical needs church supporters can help take care of including finding housing and transportation, providing meals during the first few weeks back, unpacking, and recommending doctors, counselors, or schools. It is best for churches to reach out to the missionary a few weeks before they return to get an idea of what items would be most helpful. A wonderful way to love them while on HMA is by encouraging them to refresh, connecting with them over coffee or a meal, and inviting them to different church and social activities.

For those permanently leaving the field, reassimilating into the U.S. can be more difficult than their original transition to the field. Some missionaries leave under painful circumstances and it is important for those from the church directly involved in their care to understand their situation so they can offer the right support. They will need many of the same practical items missionaries on HMA do (housing, transportation, meals, help unpacking etc.) and help reintegrating into the church and wider community. Giving returning missionaries space to share their story, whether in a large group or one-on-one, allows them to process their experiences. Finally, keep checking in on missionaries for their first few years back in the U.S.—adjusting takes a long time.

Final Thoughts

Sending churches can make a great kingdom impact through their support, prayer, and care for their missionaries during every phase of their ministry. With their involvement, more missionaries can discern their call and spiritually and vocationally prepare for their service on the field. The sending churches’ love and care, even from a distance, can sustain missionaries currently serving for effective, long-term ministry and serve as a powerful testimony of a loving Christian community to those they serve. And welcoming missionaries returning to the U.S. with open arms honors those God has called to serve on the front lines.

This list is just the start, a launching pad for churches to brainstorm how they can systematically and collectively care for the future, current, and former missionaries that are part of their family. If you would like to learn more, download our free resource “Creatively Caring for Your Missionaries” and join us for an upcoming Caring for Your Missionaries webinar.