Blogs, Podcasts + Other Online Resources for Missionaries

blogs for missionaries
TEAM missionary Christine Elizabeth put together her top list of blogs, podcasts and online resources for missionaries. Did yours make the list?

Living away from my home country brings its set of challenges — one of which is wanting to find connections with people who also are living outside their home culture. 

I’ve always been intrigued by the power of connection through social media, but over the last two years of living in Manila, I’ve learned even more about the power posting can have on building relationships. 

Here is a list of online resources that have helped me connect with other missionaries and their stories from around the world.

Blogs for Missionaries

1. A Life Overseas 

This blog has been a lifeline to me over the past two years. Their posts, mostly written by missionaries, are raw, challenging and inviting. They make me think, call me out on my own wrong attitudes and often have me saying, “Ah! Me too!”

2. The Culture Blend

Jerry Jones (not the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, the other Jerry Jones) lives in China with his wife and three kids. For work, Jerry trains people who transition between cultures, and on his blog, he writes about what he sees and learns as an international businessman. Traveling back and forth between cultures has taught him that his life is a ‘wonderfully awkward mix of people who see the exact same world from completely different perspectives.”

3. Velvet Ashes

For many of my friends who live overseas, Velvet Ashes is not just their favorite blog, it’s the only blog they read about expat life. Velvet Ashes is an online community for women who live outside their home countries and desire to connect with others and thrive. The site hosts retreats and book clubs and features blog posts written by women around the world.

A few other blogs that stuck out in my research are:

If you’re looking for country-specific blogs, a simple search with keywords like “expat” or “missionary blog” plus your host country will likely return personal blogs. These may give you some surprising new connections, insights and encouragement. Maybe a new friend or two, as well.

Facebook Groups for Missionaries 

1. Local expat groups:

I started using local buy/sell Facebook groups as a way to furnish our apartment. But I discovered there are Facebook groups for many different demographics living here in Manila (women, moms, trailing spouses, men, even wives of foreign men who run hotels).

Through a group focused on expat women (called “Ma’am Manila”), I’ve been able to ask cultural questions, learn from other women’s experiences and even have met offline with other women living here. Do a Facebook search to find out if there are groups in your area available to join.

2. I Am A Triangle:

Little did Naomi know that a simple blog post would grow into an online Facebook community of over 10,000 people from all over the world. In 2013, she posted this blog post called “I Am a Triangle,” describing the tension expats face when they return to their home country after living abroad — how they no longer feel like they fit. Her words caught the heartstrings of many who have lived in multiple countries.  

There is now a community of men and women coming from different cultures and living in different cultures, sharing and connecting about life on this Facebook group.

3. Mission organization groups:

Find out what Facebook groups are available through your missions organization. Organizations may have groups where everyone can post and share updates, and some may have groups for specific demographics (women, millennials, businesspeople) to communicate and share resources.

Instagram for Missionaries 

I recently asked a group of new friends, “How did you meet each other?” They looked at each other suspiciously, breaking into laughter while replying, “Instagram!”

It’s becoming more and more common for social media to spawn real-life friendships. But while distance may keep us from all connecting in person, we can easily share life with others who walk a similar path to us. 

Search common hashtags to find other overseas workers around the world, maybe even some in your area. To start, try searching these hashtags:

You can also search for locations near you to find people with common interests in your area.

Podcasts for Missionaries

Listening to podcasts has been a favorite practice of mine while we commute or wait in traffic. While you’ll often find me listening to something light and entertaining (my personal favorite is anything from Gimlet Media), there are some helpful podcasts out there geared toward missionaries and expats. Here are a few I found worth noting:

1. Global Missions Podcast: A collaborative effort between mission organizations, this podcast dives into current discussions and topics around the world such as raising support through storytelling, the global refugee crisis and tentmaking.

2. Engaging Missions: Bryan is a storyteller. While his day job in logistics may make your eyes glaze over (his words, not mine), he has a Skype account, and he’s not afraid to use it. Bryan interviews missionaries around the world and shares their stories on this podcast. (He also shares some of his favorite podcasts here).

3. Two Fat Expats: Kirsty and Nicki are two seasoned expats who think a life overseas is meant to be enjoyed rather than endured. And they believe that life should be lived large. Currently in season three, their episodes are informative, entertaining and endearing.

Did I leave one of your favorite resources off this list? Let me know in the comments below. And be sure to subscribe to the TEAM blog for regular posts about life as a missionary.

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About the author

Christine Elizabeth

Christine is a co-founder of a specialty coffee shop in the central business district in Manila, Philippines. Along with living on mission with her husband, she loves connecting people and resources. Wherever she finds herself in the world, she'll always call the US and Canada home.

6 Comments

Leave a comment
  • it’s so interesting to hear different stories and Testimonies from different who talk about
    success that has been seen in missions despite of challenges and other difficulties.

    Glory to the Lamb of God,Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

    Amen

  • Very helpful.
    Looking at this
    Please any way I can send ministry update besides my calls so you can read

  • An amazing podcast for missionaries and for those wanting to go on the field: Amazon to the Himalayas by Dr. Paul Akin. I LOVE it!

  • These are certainly the best church podcast and videos out there. I’m really into them specially the one form Pastor Keion, https://www.keionhenderson.com/church-podcast who is our local pastor here in Houston. Podcasts like this are really helpful and convenient for Christians who are confined to their homes due to quarantine. So let’s continue to support our church leaders!

  • Navigating life abroad parallels the quest for connections, much like seeking certified court translation services. Living away from home culture requires shared experiences, bridging gaps through understanding. Just as translations facilitate communication across languages, forging bonds with fellow expatriates bridges gaps in cultural contexts, fostering a sense of community.

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