As ministry partners, sending-churches and missionary supporters in the U.S. usually take on the responsibilities of prayer, giving (if possible), and missionary care. One of the best expressions of your love and support is helping missionaries while they’re home from the field during furlough, or what Mission to the World calls home ministry assignment.

Home ministry assignment can be a stressful time for missionaries. They uproot their lives, transition the children to an unfamiliar country, manage the logistics of the move from afar, and juggle ministry needs on the field while constantly traveling for speaking engagements. However, HMA also presents an opportunity for churches and supporters to take care of tangible needs and provide for the missionaries they care about.

Here are specific ways you can care for missionaries during their home ministry assignment.

1. Provide for Their Housing and Transportation.

Housing and transportation are often the most significant practical needs for missionaries during HMA. Many do not have a consistent place to call home in the U.S., and HMA is typically filled with travel as missionaries visit supporting churches, friends, and family, raise additional support, and (hopefully) take a much-needed vacation. Offering housing or loaning a vehicle can ease the difficulty of finding a temporary living and transportation system.

Additionally, providing groceries or home-cooked meals upon their arrival can offer a warm welcome and immediate relief. Lending a helping hand with tasks such as babysitting, cleaning, running errands, yard work, or house maintenance is another tangible way to support them. It is always a good idea to ask a few months before their arrival if they have any specific needs and continue checking in for the duration of their HMA.

2. Welcome Them and Befriend Them.

One of the most life-giving ways to care for missionaries is to build genuine friendships with them. Spending time with missionaries by taking them out for coffee, inviting them over for dinner, or treating them to a meal can help them feel less lonely as they transition between cultures. Providing a safe space for them to share their experiences and pray with you can offer emotional support and make them feel valued and appreciated.

Help them feel part of the community by including them in your regular activities such as Bible studies, book clubs, exercise classes, or cookouts. Similarly, extending these invitations to their children by setting up playdates or involving them in church activities like children’s ministry or youth group can go a long way in welcoming and supporting missionary families.

3. Help Them Have Fun and Encourage Them to Rest and Refresh.

Begin by asking missionaries what they are doing for refreshment and recreation during HMA. Then encourage them to take a step back from their responsibilities by helping them plan a family fun day or a night out. Church members have blessed many missionaries by offering free or discounted stays at vacation homes, gifting season tickets to sporting events or theater companies, or giving them passes to places like zoos, museums, botanical gardens, pools, and theme parks. These gestures can provide much-needed relaxation and enjoyment.

4. Make Connections and Advocate for Them.

Aid their ministry effort by introducing missionaries to potential financial partners and connecting them with other churches. Amplify their message and garner more support for them by providing them with platforms to share about their work, whether in your church, home, or community. Help them build a robust support network by promoting and communicating their work among your community.

5. Pay Attention to Unique Needs of Single Missionaries.

Single missionaries need the same support outlined above, but be sensitive to their unique circumstances. Avoid common pitfalls like trying to set them up with others or fixating on their singleness. Single missionaries say that well-meaning supporters who have done these things inadvertently make them feel defined by their marital status. Missionaries may wish to discuss their singleness but allow them to bring it up. Instead, ask them about their missionary work and what God has been doing in their life.

Single missionaries often have more flexible schedules, which is a great benefit but can lead people to assume that they have unlimited time and energy, and if they are reluctant to say “no” or set boundaries, they get burned out. A great way to care for single missionaries is to encourage them to rest and refresh, and to respect their time and boundaries. (Learn more about the single missionary experience from missionaries themselves.)

These are just a few of the many ways you can support missionaries during their home ministry assignments. By caring well for them during HMA and beyond, churches and supporters play a vital role in sustaining and encouraging missionaries as they continue their important work. Your partnership in this mission is invaluable, and through these efforts, you can significantly impact the well-being and effectiveness of those you send out into the field.

Interested in serving with Mission to the World? Visit mtw.org/serve to browse opportunities.