MISSIONARY CARE
Our Objective – Your Opportunity!
November 2023
The Bible is full of startling statements to open our eyes to the condition of the lost and the call for laborers. One such verse is Mark 8:35 where Jesus says, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” Let me share with you three shocking truths about missions.
- Our missionary push is shrinking. Those surrendering and preparing for full-time and long-term service are at a 50-year low. As I travel to Bible colleges and speak in local churches, I see the amount of those who are preparing or intending to go into mission work in any capacity is a minute fraction of the ever-shrinking ministry force. In the GFF booklet Note to Self: Make a Meaningful Difference, this observation is made in chapter 1: “Being a missionary is probably the most encouraged occupation we find in the Bible, and yet it seems to be the least applied for.” Though the mission’s force is the most meager of modern ministry, those that do surrender suffer from lack of proper preparation.
- Our missionary preparation is lacking. The few who complete the rigors of deputation and deployment often find themselves struggling to adapt to their host country.
But regardless of how a missionary family adapts to their country, the overwhelming majority are not ready for the trauma that inevitably occurs next. Whether it is a buildup of reoccurring events or a singular incident which debilitates the family with accompanying hurt and anxiety, the missionary family is prohibited from functioning according to their full potential in the roles God has placed them in. Not only are they burdened with issues that they do not understand, but they do not know who they can trust to reach out to about their experiences. Whether right or wrong, they feel much like David’s description of himself in Psalm 143:4: “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.” Among all the reasons given confidentially by those who return from the field prematurely for their departure, the one which emerges above all others can be summed up with this phrase: “We didn’t know who it was safe to turn to for help.” But the fact that many missionary families return early from the field should not render us hopeless considering our objective at GFF. - Our missionary care objective is working. Though GFF isn’t the only organization in our circles that offers a personal and proactive approach to missionary care, we are certainly ahead of the game. GFF personnel have specialized training in helping those who feel overlooked or left behind in their missionary service. Our missionary care team has come alongside and involved with former and active missionary families. Several families are closer and will serve together longer and more effectively because they found someone who cared for their soul in their time of need. We praise God for every victory! However, we always need to do more. If you feel led by God to partner in our proactive missionary care objective, we welcome your aid. GFF is seeking $30,000 annually (about one-third of the support of an average missionary family) to provide the necessary resources and services to aid us in caring for those who need it the most. In coming alongside us, we can push back against shrinkage and provide what is lacking to care for our most precious servants who are losing their lives for Christ’s sake and the Gospel. Please feel free to contact us for guidance on contributing regularly to our care objective. Our objective is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
Thank you for your consideration!
GFF General Director