As our churches partner together to serve our city, we can more effectively show and share the love of Christ with our neighbors. To God be the Glory!
For the majority of our missionaries, moving halfway across the world for the sake of the gospel started out as a desire they shared with us one day. Shortly after that conversation, our journey to send them started. There is a lot of work that goes into preparing families and singles for the mission field. As sending churches, it is important to follow through as they return as well.
The majority of us who are involved with a local church know someone who has lived or currently lives on the mission field. On any given Sunday, we may hear about how God used a missionary’s obedience or a quick plug or through an introduction from the stage if they happen to be in town. Their work may be somewhat familiar to us yet still distant enough from the details to leave them feeling vaguely unknown. This can make catching up with a missionary friend over coffee quite uncomfortable or even awkward at times. But here are some helpful things to remember.
5 years ago, I took the role of Minister of Missionary Care at Houston's First. It has been one of the most rewarding and stretching positions I have ever experienced in my short ministry career. Our team has seen and heard it all—from religious persecution to church planting movements, hidden depression to unexplainable joy through trials. Whether it comes through a screen or across the table, we have learned some life lessons from our missionary partners, and we would love to share some with you.
