Missionaries leave the field for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons are planned or voluntary, such as the end of the committed term of service or anticipated retirement. Some of them are involuntary or unexpected, such as a loss of visa eligibility in the country of service, the need to return in order to care for aging parents, changes in family status, or health issues of a spouse or child. But does returning to one’s passport country mean the God-inspired call to missions among the nations has ended? Surely the heartbeat for reaching the nations remains, even if one’s location has changed. We tend to think of missionaries as being overseas, on location in the homelands of the unreached people groups they engage. But is there a way to make use of the experience in language, culture, and cross-cultural ministry gained over the years of living on the field and continue to apply that experience “at home” to the advancement of the kingdom of God?—YES!

Ongoing Outreach

Mission-sending organizations and local churches are increasingly recognizing these returning missionaries as an untapped resource. This is particularly true as the worldwide diaspora has exploded and unprecedented numbers of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are on the move internationally. Recent decades have witnessed a level of global mobility among the world’s people that is unprecedented in modern times. Political instability and oppression, warfare, poverty, lack of economic opportunity and social, religious, and ethnic persecution have all created urgent circumstances that have caused tens of millions of people to uproot their lives and relocate to a different country. Amidst all this mobility, migration, and resettlement of people from many countries, missions alumni are well-positioned to minister to these migrants living in their communities. Having themselves lived with the challenges of integrating into a foreign culture, missionaries have a unique understanding of the difficulties facing the new arrivals. Welcoming the stranger, offering hospitality, and simply being friends all create significant opportunities to establish relationships and create credibility to share the gospel.

Returning Well

We know about Third Culture Kids (TCKs), but we sometimes forget that adult missionaries also are living between cultures. Especially for workers who have spent a considerable time overseas, both they and their culture of origin have changed a great deal in the intervening years and reverse culture shock is genuinely difficult. Well-meaning individuals who don’t deeply understand the missionary experience may believe that for the returning field worker “it must be good to be back home.” But home is hard to define when you have become a third-culture, global citizen. Living cross-culturally changes a person and so “going home” to the passport country can be challenging because you aren’t the same person who was sent out years ago. It can be lonely because people in the community you are returning to don’t truly understand what you have experienced. But it can also be an opportunity to share the riches of cultural learning acquired on the field and to continue ministering to people from other cultures living in the United States.

Like-Minded Community

Finding a community of like-minded people who understand the joys and the trials of cross cultural ministry and living is a wonderful blessing. The transition from the field to the next chapter of life in a new context can be painful, uncertain, and poignant but also joyful, fulfilling, and wonderful. Returning field workers understand each other in a way that is unique to their shared experiences. They can affirm and support each other in their ongoing kingdom roles through encouragement, partnership, prayer, and presence.

An Invitation to Continued Engagement

The missionary journey doesn’t end when someone leaves the field. Alumni are a vital part of God’s continuing story—serving in their local churches, workplaces, and communities while still connected to the global mission movement… honoring legacy, nurturing ongoing community, and reinforcing the value of lifelong mission engagement. —John Lewis, Alumni Network, Pioneers

There are many ways a returning field worker can remain engaged in missions. For instance, the sending agency Pioneers has created an Alumni Network to raise awareness among churches, communities, and individuals of opportunities for returning missionaries. Some of our activities include: In weekly prayer meetings, we intercede for alumni, and in monthly calls, we feature guest speakers who are often alums or other leaders from our organization. Returning workers are sent a copy of the book Returning Well: Your Guide to Thriving Back “Home” After Serving Cross Culturally by Melissa Chapman. Returning Well small groups provide support to alumni as they transition from the field. The Church Engagement department works to link our partner churches with returning missionaries to promote possible collaborations. Alumni are available to mentor and advise potential candidates for overseas assignments. As appropriate, alumni members receive birthday cards and congratulatory phone calls.

What Can You Do?

If you are a church leader, welcome and affirm your returning missionaries! Meet with them to discuss a potential role in your church’s cross-cultural engagement programs. Connect with a sending agency to see if there are missionary alumni in your area with whom your church could consult to enhance your cross-cultural outreach.

If you support a missionary, ask them about their plans. If they are considering when to retire or otherwise leave the field, perhaps you could discuss options with them for continued engagement once they return.

If you work at a missions sending agency, start discussions in-house about how to best provide opportunities for returning workers to remain engaged in kingdom advancement.

Finally, if you are a missions alum or are still on the field but thinking about a return to your passport country, consider how you might continue to serve in cross-cultural ministry. Start discussions with your sending churches about how you might contribute to their outreach undertakings in their communities. Ask your sending organization about networks and opportunities for returning field workers and, if your organization doesn’t currently have anything like that, ask them to consider launching an alumni network. You have so many God-given talents, skills, and experiences to offer! Prayerfully consider your options—perhaps God is not done with you yet!