Answering the Call to Go…and Return

In cross-cultural missions circles, much has been written about the challenge of adapting to a new culture far away from home. Unfortunately, far less attention has been given to the challenge of returning from that culture a changed person and readapting to a place that used to be familiar but has also changed over time. This is an extremely complicated position that many individuals have struggled to navigate, sometimes with very little support or guidance. 

As global workers leave the mission field and return to their passport countries, they often face a crisis of identity. How will the Lord continue to use them in their country of origin, and how does their time overseas impact the way they move forward in this new season of life? 

Unexpected Returns 

TEAM workers Kurt and Rochelle served as church planters in Russia for two years and in Ukraine for fourteen years. They ministered in diverse ways, but their focus remained the same: to walk alongside people as they met and followed Jesus. “While living in Ukraine was very difficult,” they admitted, “we absolutely loved our time there and would never change this part of our story.” They are still in contact with their teammate and Ukrainian friends. 

Returning to the US came as an unexpected surprise for Kurt and Rochelle. Several factors were involved in the decision, including burnout and the educational needs of their family. However, their primary reason was a “sense from the Lord,” affirmed through over a year of prayer and discussion with their supporting churches, Ukrainian friends, and family, that God was calling them back to the US. They did not know why God was leading them in this way, but they chose to obey and trust Him. 

TEAM workers Ryan and Amy (names changed) recall their time serving in Southeast Asia. “Living in this area of the world requires a reason to be there beyond what we would call ‘ministry’ in the US,” Amy explains. Their transition to this culture involved three stages: an “equipping stage of language learning in a huge city, a stage of learning how to ‘live in the land and dwell peacefully’ in a more rural area, and then a season of working in a business.” 

Like Kurt and Rochelle, Ryan and Amy’s return to the US was also completely unanticipated. After a visit to the US, they were unable to leave the country because of the pandemic. For two years, they tried to return to Asia unsuccessfully.  “We felt the door kept being closed and we should ‘dwell in this land,’” Amy says. “It was a very hard transition, since we didn’t embrace the transition until later.” 

Another missionary couple, Dan and Susan (names changed), have been involved in missions for most of their married life. After serving in several other locations, they remained in Ecuador for two years. It was important to them to find a place where they could build lasting relationships with the locals and also train them to continue much-needed medical work in their community.   

After two years in Ecuador, twice the time they had originally planned to stay, Dan and Susan knew they needed to return to the US. The needs of their family had changed, and the government was pressuring Americans to leave the country. Their return was unexpected and very difficult. Susan recalls, “God had profoundly changed us. [Our hometown] did not feel like home anymore. The food tasted weird, church didn’t seem the same, and our friends didn’t understand us. Everything seemed upside down.” 

Not one of these three families expected to return to the US when they did. This attests to the fact that it was God’s plan, not their own, that guided their going and coming. The significant challenges they experienced demonstrate the cost of truly following God, but their remarkable growth and valuable new perspectives are evidence of the wisdom of God’s ways. 

New Perspectives, New Callings 

Global workers returning to their passport country face not an exit from ministry (even if they are “retired” in the professional sense), but a new iteration of it. The time serving overseas inevitably impacts the way they view ministry opportunities in their country of origin. 

“Befriending coworkers, neighbors, and strangers in our area of influence became the model for our life,” says Amy. “We seek to be living among people and being with them rather than ‘doing ministry’ at them.’” 

These former missionaries now have a deeper understanding of and compassion for others who are serving outside of their home country. “I have an incredible amount of empathy for all missionaries serving overseas,” Susan says. “Many of them are in such difficult places. They are functioning with minimal resources. It is really hard.”  

Kurt, Rochelle, Ryan, and Amy currently serve missionaries around the world by working with TEAM as spiritual directors or in other leadership roles. Dan leads surgical teams back to Ecuador once or twice a year. He also runs an organization that connects and supports missionaries in various countries. Susan has volunteered at a local pregnancy care center for twelve years. All of them are using their past experiences not only to continue to serve people and share the Gospel, but also to encourage and equip others for ministry.  

Kurt and Rochelle share, “We definitely have more of a global perspective on life. And we also have a much fuller understanding of what is involved in missions – not just the bright and sparkly portions of ministry, but also the difficulties. This enables us to walk alongside people in overseas ministry in a way that says, ‘We get it. God is there with you in all of this. And He is delighted that you are His.’” 

A Message for Returning Missionaries 

For other cross-cultural workers returning to their passport country, these three missionary couples offer sage words of advice:  

“Take it slow. It will be hard. Learn to lament and grieve on a regular basis.” 

“Moving away from one home back to another place that used to be your home can be complex. Enjoy the ‘unforced rhythms of grace’ with God” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message). 

“Be kind to yourself. God is kind and invites you to go deeper with Him.” 

“If you can, surround yourselves with other missionaries that have been through the process as well so you have someone to talk to that understands what you are saying.”   

“Similar to when you first moved overseas, competency, roles, your home, relationships, your stuff are lost again. Be patient with your new neighbors, your sending church, and yourself.” 

“Know that God still loves you deeply and delights in both loving you and others through you.”