It would be easy to focus exclusively on our local churches in this difficult season, but recently the International Missions Board of the SBC listed practical ways we can support missionaries during these trying times.
5 Practical Ways to Support Missionaries
1. Pray with us.
During these stressful, uncertain days we need each other’s prayers more than ever. Set up a weekly time for a video chat to pray with your missionaries. Keep it to a small group and pray specifically for each other’s needs. Use the time to encourage each other with stories of how you have seen God at work around you and in you.
Video conferencing tools can work well, but keep in mind that national security limitations will prevent some missionaries from using these tools. Whenever possible try to use video as it’s the closest we can get to face-to-face conversations right now. Video helps to make the connection more personal.
2. Be with us.
For missionaries living far from home countries and families, feelings of isolation and loneliness are not uncommon. Now, we are not even able to go outside our homes to do the work we were called to do. We crave the fellowship of familiar, friendly faces—namely you, our stateside church family. You might not be able to travel to visit us anymore, but you can still “be here.” The internet is an amazing resource to help make this happen. Around the world people are getting together “virtually” to share conversations and activities in real time.
Schedule a specific time each week when you can join with your missionary families to share activities together. Think creatively. See what others are doing. IMB missionaries around the world are already getting together online to worship and pray together; exercise together; cook together; study together; share homeschool activities; and have virtual playdates and book clubs.
