Many church members and even pastors or missions elders may not fully understand what missionaries face on the field. Because of this, missionaries’ real needs are often ignored or neglected by even well-meaning churches. What are the real-life needs of missionaries and how can a church better support them?

Last time (Part 1) we discussed the needs a missionary has on the field: practical and financial as well as emotional and spiritual.

This time (Part 2) we look at are some specific ways you as a sending church can support your missionaries well.

Strengthening Missionary Support Through Communication

Communication is the bridge between the Church and missionaries.

The importance of regular contact: Your missionaries are often geographically and emotionally distant from you, their supporting church. Encourage personal letters, video updates, emails, or regular phone calls to foster a sense of connection with your missionaries. A roster of willing church members sent a short list of “Contact these missionaries this week” can be very rewarding to both sender and recipient. Does your church make sure to send the weekly bulletin to your missionaries? What about updates (including pictures) of your member directory?

Listening to needs and really praying: Missionaries’ needs can evolve, so regular check-ins to understand what’s happening on the ground are vital. Some of your missionaries might need practical advice regarding such things as child-rearing questions or a proofread of their prayer letter. Asking if there are any specific requests shows your missionaries that you as a church do care and are praying.

Practical encouragement: Not just sending money, but also sending words or items of encouragement can make a big difference. A personal letter with news about happenings in the congregation or your own family is like a Christmas present! Not all of us are great letter writers, but we might excel at cookie-baking or gift basket creation. A simple gift along with that email or letter can make all the difference, showing missionaries they are not forgotten but are truly cared for.

Building a Strong Missions Team at Church

Behind the scenes, teamwork and planning make your church more effective.

Create a Missions Committee: Encourage your missions elder to form a committee that meets regularly to discuss missionary needs. The members of this committee can also be the ones to oversee the letter writing roster, plan details of the missionary’s furlough time with the church, etc.

Consistent Funding: Even the most well-intentioned churches can let important matters fall through the cracks. Neglecting to send that check regularly can cause huge stress for your supported missionaries.

Raise Awareness: Organize events or prayer nights where church members can hear directly from your missionaries about their experiences. With Zoom and other tools, a missionary doesn’t have to be home to keep in touch and keep your church informed!

Special meetings: Of course, when they ARE home on furlough, the church should be nimble in planning a specific time for your missionaries to speak to the congregation, children’s and adult Sunday School classes, and other groups. A meaningful introduction from a well-informed church member is helpful.

Plan a Short-Term Mission Trip to Visit Missionaries

Organize a short term trip: Coordinating a group from the church to go on a short-term mission trip to the missionary’s field of service (where feasible), is very special. It will not only thrill your missionary, and possibly assist him in tangible ways, it will change the lives of those who participate in such a trip, whether adults or young people.

Supporting Missionaries During Furlough

Concrete assistance during furlough makes a huge difference to the quality of that precious time spent on home leave.

Offer to help the missionary arrange and get to appointments or to other meetings while they are on furlough. It’s daunting to navigate strange cities or even to find a compatible doctor or dentist.

Organize a roster of family meals. Your congregation will get to know your missionaries in a way not possible after one or two church services, and your missionaries will feel appreciated and cared for.

Offer transportation. Finding a car to use inexpensively while on furlough is not easy or even possible sometimes. The loan of a reliable vehicle can ease the home leave time considerably.

A Call to Action for the Church

Missionaries need more than just financial support—they need prayer, emotional support, and regular communication. Encourage your congregation to step up and get involved, in whatever ways they can think of, to both encourage your missionaries in their calling and to support them practically.

Let’s remember that our missionaries are not just serving ‘out there’—they are part of our church family. They represent us in fulfilling the commandment that is dearest to God’s own heart: global evangelism (see Dan. 7:14, Matt. 28:19). When we truly know the needs of our missionaries, we can be a source of strength and encouragement, just as God calls us to be (see Acts 15:1, Rom. 15:5, Col. 4:11).

Read Part 1 Here