Anna Price, Author at TEAM Christian Missions Blog

8 Things Missionaries Wish Their Supporters Knew

For many missionaries, it’s difficult to share the nitty-gritty of missionary life with their supporters. To give voice to the unsaid, here are eight things missionaries wish their supporters knew.

May 22 2017

For every missionary sharing the Gospel cross-culturally, there is a team of people making the work possible from sending churches to the many individuals praying and giving financially. No one can serve alone. But even though missionaries share a tight bond with their supporters, it can be hard to honestly share the ins and outs of missionary life. To shine a light on the things unsaid, we asked several missionaries, “What do you wish your supporters knew?” Their answers might surprise you. “Sometimes I feel like I’m not adding anything to my team.” Going from a life of ministry in…

Trying to get the kids in your life involved in missions? Here are actionable strategies with links to resources to help you get started. Photo by TEAM

Apr 20 2017

Jon Acuff writes about a conversation he had with his daughter when she was five. Flipping through a magazine, she saw a picture of a starving child and asked her dad, “That’s pretend, right?” Acuff writes that what he really felt she was asking was, “You’re not okay with that, are you? Are you doing anything about this, Dad?” Over the years, adults may become desensitized to the suffering around us, but often children can bring us back to reality: We’re not okay with that, are we? Are we doing something about it? When it comes to local and global missions,…

Missions agencies help assess, prepare and place missionaries, but they don't send them. And this distinction is more than just semantics. Photo by TEAM

Mar 29 2017

It’s common vernacular to call missions agencies like TEAM “sending agencies.” But really, this label is a misnomer. While agencies help assess, prepare and place missionaries, they do not send them. And this distinction isn’t just a matter of semantics. Knowing who sends missionaries is a critical distinction that shapes our understanding of the local church’s critical role in global missions. At TEAM, we say that our purpose is to help churches send missionaries. That may sound simple, but those words are intended to convey an idea that is fundamental to everything we do. We believe the church is the…

Whether the word committee makes your cringe or cheer, your church needs a dedicated group of people to focus on global missions. Photo by TEAM

Jan 19 2017

It’s easy to assume someone at your church will do mission work. After all, isn’t the church charged with the Great Commission as one of Jesus’ last commands on earth? But the reality is, living in obedience to God’s mission takes intentionality. Having point people focus on how the church is called to share the gospel, send new missionaries and care for sent ones is critical to any congregation. In many churches, this group of people is called the missions committee. Whether your church loves committees or feels like the word is old-fashioned, there is just something effective about a group…

The holidays are a joyful, yet challenging time for many missionaries. Read 10 unique ways to give a missionary support this Christmas.

Dec 07 2016

For many missionaries, the Christmas season is full of opportunities to share the Gospel with people in their community. While the holidays bring many joyful activities, they can also magnify feelings of homesickness for some missionaries. We’ve put together a list of 10 unique ways to give your missionaries support this Christmas. 1. Add them to your Christmas card list. As you address your Christmas cards, be sure to include the missionary families you know. This keeps them connected with your family and lets them know you are thinking about them this holiday season! TIP: Ask your missionary or their…

Church leaders, you are key players in preparing a potential missionary for cross-cultural service. Here are actionable steps to shepherding missionaries in your church. Photo by TEAM

Sep 13 2016

Someone comes to you, their pastor, and says they feel called to ministry. That’s awesome! But what can your church do from there? The temptation could be to send potential missionaries from your church to a missions agency and let the organization take care of the rest. While agencies have valuable resources for churches, many agencies agree: The local church is the one God has called and equipped to fulfill the Great Commission. That means the church gets to play an important role in assessing and preparing missionary candidates for global ministry. Below are four areas where church participation and support…

ways for missionaries to connect with supporters

Maintaining relationships across many miles is no easy feat. But with a little creativity, missionaries can continue to connect with the supporters who sent them. Photo by TEAM

Aug 03 2016

No missionary is sent out on their own; behind each one is a selfless group of churches and individuals who have mentored, prayed and given so the missionary could cross cultural barriers to share the gospel. Because of the busy nature of ministry life, it can be hard for missionaries to connect with supporters while they serve on the field. Fortunately, with some creativity and a bit of technology, there are many ways you can stay connected with your supporters, even when you are thousands of miles away. Here are some favorites. 1. Display the Names and Faces of Your…

Nestled amidst Japanese maples and quiet creeks, the Karuizawa Retreat Center has been an enduring refuge for missionaries all over Asia. Photos courtesy of KRC

Jun 21 2016

When you arrive at the Karuizawa Retreat Center, it’s hard to believe you were in the largest city in the world just an hour ago. Trading the hustle and bustle of Tokyo for a gorgeous and quiet resort town feels odd at first, but as you take a deep breath of mountain pine and stare at the beautiful mountains, it’s easy to feel at home, even if it’s your first time visiting. Karuizawa is a small resort town known around Asia as a top destination for rest and refreshment. While it’s now known for hosting vacation homes of influential people…

Home assignment for missionaries is a time that should be restful, but for many it is chaotic and stressful. Here are eight ways you can meaningfully serve a missionary on home assignment. Photo by TEAM

Mar 23 2016

Missionary home assignment is a time when missionaries return to their sending country to rest, refocus and connect with their support base. While a big goal of missionary home assignment is time to recharge before heading back to the mission field, many missionaries will tell you home assignment is not always relaxing. Traveling around their home country to see family, friends, supporters and sending churches can be wonderful, but it can also be tiring. Here are a few ways to serve missionaries on home assignment. 1. Arrange for Their Transportation Since many missionaries won’t have a car in North America,…

Shared stories and smiles in Atlanta, GA on March 27, 2015

Sep 25 2015

This year in cities around the United States and Canada, friends and members of the TEAM family have gathered to celebrate 125 years of TEAM’s work around the world. The night is a celebration focused on honoring the past, celebrating the present and casting vision for the future of TEAM. Here’s an inside look into TEAM’s 125th Anniversary Celebrations in the United States! As people arrive and check in, many eagerly scan name tags for names they recognize – old friends and former colleagues are quickly reunited before the evening has even begun. As appetizers are served, attendees connect with friends…

Author - Anna Price

8 Things Missionaries Wish Their Supporters Knew

Actionable Ways to Get Kids Involved in Missions

Why We Don’t Send Missionaries

3 Reasons Why Your Church Needs a Missions Committee

10 Ways to Support a Missionary this Christmas

4 Ways Pastors Can Prepare Future Missionaries [Free Resource]

7 Creative Ways for Missionaries to Connect with Supporters

A Blessing for Missionaries Becomes a Ministry

8 Ways to Serve Missionaries on Home Assignment

An Inside Look at TEAM 125 Celebrations