Missionary Care Archives - Page 2 of 3 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

Why Missions Can’t Fix Your Relationship with God

As a missionary, what does it look like to really deepen your relationship with God? Keep reading to discover ways to rest in His grace.

Sep 24 2018

I listened as a seasoned missionary, more educated than myself, shared from his heart. He leaned forward and asked a question I wasn’t expecting: “Mike, what does it really mean to be loved by God?” I fumbled for a moment under the inner pressure to respond with just the right theological answer. Thankfully, I hesitated and replied honestly: “I’m not totally sure. I am still learning that myself.” The missionary leaned back with a sigh of relief and said, “Thank you. I was so afraid you were going to give me a formula.” Since then, I’ve met with many successful…

A true picture of hospitality: watch how TEAM missionaries use their resources in Paris to provide member care for other missionaries.

Nov 09 2017

The Robelots work as regional member care coordinators for TEAM in Europe and Chad. The couple became missionaries in 1987 and have since developed a heart to help their fellow missionaries through difficult seasons. The Robelots prayerfully decided to purchase the studio apartment located above their house, which has become known as The Upper Room. Now missionaries come there for rest, renewal, recreation and restoration. Video Transcript: Missy says, “When we moved into this house, we noticed that there was an apartment. We began praying that maybe this would become an apartment that would serve to just allow missionaries to come…

Your support of foreign missionaries is vital to the growth of the kingdom. But how? Discover 7 ways that you can intentionally support missionaries. Photo by TEAM

Jul 03 2017

Imagine you are a new missionary. Living in a foreign land and adopting a new culture for the sake of the kingdom is a dream — one that you’ve worked toward for years. However, before too long, feelings of culture shock and isolation begin to set in. Language barriers and foreign social etiquette make you ache for renewed connections with friends and family back home. You may even wonder if you made the right decision in coming. This scenario is fairly common for those serving abroad and can easily lead to burnout. That’s why it’s up to us as supporters…

Know a team, friend or loved one returning from a mission trip? Curious to know how it went? Help them process their experience with this list of 15 thoughtful questions to ask after a mission trip.

Jun 22 2017

¡Descargue una traducción al español de esta publicación aquí! “It was life-changing.” “It was amazing.” “It’s hard to put into words.” If you’ve ever asked a short-term missionary about their experience, you’ve probably heard one of these statements in response. Returning short-term missionaries often benefit from processing their experiences. In fact, TEAM recommends each of our short-term missionaries debrief from their trip with both their missions coach and their church community. However, helping someone process a cross-cultural mission trip isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Often, the questions asked are so broad that missionaries struggle to articulate answers without…

What happens when missions becomes miserable? A former missionary shares her best tips on how to avoid burnout and thrive on the mission field.

Jun 05 2017

I had been on the mission field for 10 months. I was holed up in one of the few less-than-desirable guest houses in a remote East Asian mountain town. I was relentlessly vomiting from food poisoning, and there was only one public outhouse for all of the guests’ bathroom needs. There was no running water. And I could hear the rats scurrying in the walls. I was miserable. I remembered the romantic visions that filled my head as I prepared to go to the mission field. The excitement that bubbled out of me at the mention of this faraway place…

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…

Leaving behind beloved Christmas traditions is a true cost of being a missionary. But this sacrifice makes room for new traditions that illuminate the meaning of Christmas.

Dec 12 2016

I love Christmas. My mama always called me her “Christmas girl.” When I was growing up there was nothing like waking up at Grandma’s house on Christmas morning. The Christmas tree twinkling in the early morning hours, holiday smells wafting from the kitchen, stockings filled with treasures. Listening to my dad read the Christmas story from the Bible and thinking about Mary giving birth in the stable to Baby Jesus warmed every inch of my soul. Even crawling half asleep into a freezing cold car to go home felt like a magical part of the whole experience to me. Yes, my…

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…

Member care is the buoy that keeps missionaries afloat, and it requires a joint effort among the sending church, agency and missionary. Photo by TEAM

Nov 30 2016

Member care is the emotional, mental and spiritual support a missionary receives from their church and sending organization throughout the entire missionary journey. When done well, member care contributes to overall missionary success. But a lack of good member care can have detrimental effects on missionaries and their ministries. When pursuing mission work — whether through sending or serving — it is important to prioritize member care before, during and after time spent on the field. TEAM missions coach Stephanie Maher gained a passion for good member care while growing up in a military family and spending three years as…

A care package is a tangible way for the church to remind a missionary that they are cherished and supported.

Aug 09 2016

Missionaries pack their bags eager to forsake familiar comforts for the sake of the gospel. Even so, when weariness sets in, a well-timed care package can be the encouragement your missionary needs. Read through these tips and tricks to curate a care package for a missionary you know. Before You Send Your Care Package International shipping is nuanced. So, before you spend time and money, ask your missionary to answer these questions: What is your shipping address? Find out from your missionary exactly how to fill out the shipping label. Be sure to note if the address should be in English…

Tag - Missionary Care

Why Missions Can’t Fix Your Relationship with God

A Tiny Apartment That Restores Hearts [VIDEO]

7 Ways to Support Missionaries

15 Questions to Ask Someone After a Mission Trip

How to Avoid Burnout and Thrive on the Mission Field

8 Things Missionaries Wish Their Supporters Knew

The Truth About Being a Missionary at Christmas

10 Ways to Support a Missionary this Christmas

Good Member Care is Crucial to Missionary Success

9 Things Your Missionary Wants in a Care Package