3 Tips for Missionary Resiliency

Aug 21, 2020

At Global Frontier Missions, we believe that for ministry to flourish we must nourish and care for our families and selves as well. Many say that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Our Member Care team fills that cup while students go through Missionary Training School and provides strategies to continue self-care routines while on the mission field.

Today, we have the honor and privilege of hearing from Kerry and Neltia Henderson, two members of our staff. They are celebrating four years of ministry with GFM, and serve as the Atlanta Base Director and Director of Member Care, respectively.

Prior to coming to GFM, Kerry and Neltia served in a variety of roles for 12 years in East Africa. After planting churches in Tanzania and a brief return home, they pivoted to leading member care efforts in Uganda and South Sudan. This cross-cultural background shaped their heart for training and member care, which is now their primary focus at GFM.

Experiences on the field shaped how we prepare others and students. We know what it's like to leave family, to feel burned out, to grieve loved ones while you are on the field, to work on multinational teams, and to leave the field abruptly and come back to the states. Many missionaries leave the field for reasons that could be solved with effective training and member care. We are grateful for our experiences and the ability to share with the next generation of missionaries.

Kerry

Preparing to enter the mission field is similar to starting a new job and moving at the same time; but entering a new culture adds a level of stress most people have not experienced that needs unique training.  Kerry and Neltia have 3 vital pieces of advice for prospective missionaries:

1. Deal with unresolved grief and pain.

We live in an individualistic society, but we all need assistance. Christian counseling is a great tool that many use to resolve grief and pain, and is of special importance before entering the field.

2. Spend time on the front end being trained.

 

Look for cross-cultural training that will prepare your head, heart, and hands to serve the Lord. Going through a program, such as GFM’s Missionary Training School, will develop your resiliency and encourage you to continue a posture of learning on the field.

 

3. Build a support system and develop self-awareness before leaving home.

If you have a support system in place, when difficulties arise, you can turn to the Lord and a group of supporters who will point you to Him in every trial.

In Neltia’s role as Director of Member Care, she enjoys every opportunity to help those preparing to go or share with those supporting missionaries on the field. She is passionate about promoting soul care in individual interactions and through GFM's new training module focusing on soul care and resiliency, which was developed based on an evaluation of current issues missionaries are facing.

Helping missionaries make a plan to be resilient is an amazing process. Above all, I communicate the message of Romans 8:11, that Jesus is the resilient one!

Neltia

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerry asks for prayers for health and wisdom as GFM adheres to new safety practices. He praises God that the GFM staff has remained healthy thus far. Pray also for Neltia, as she cares for all GFM members, that the Lord will encourage her when she personally needs soul care.

Written by a GFM Staff Member

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