To borrow from The Sound of Music: Has there ever been a problem like a missionary kid? Missionary kids fit into one of those problematic grey zones. They are not missionaries, but at the same time, they are not just along for the ride either. They are of the mission and not of the mission at the same time. How does a caring church take care of the sent and their children?
Understand that missionary kids know that their parents are weird. A missionary does not usually fit into the host culture they minister in; they look different and almost always sound different. However, the missionary is often respected or seems powerful, at least in the believing community. As a missionary, it is not easy to separate "work" from family life, and the two are constantly entangled. This puts unique pressure on the kids, and they feel the weight of the parents always sharing the gospel and living within the host community. Then, when they come to America, their parents are often still treated with great respect. However, there is also a distance as many Americans can't quite understand missionaries and their experiences.
So, what to do? There are so many variables in every missionary family that it is hard to give much helpful advice, so consider what I write below as guiding principles, especially for younger children. My prayer is that it can help you serve missionary kids well.
Understand that missionary kids know that their parents are weird. A missionary does not usually fit into the host culture they minister in; they look different and almost always sound different. However, the missionary is often respected or seems powerful, at least in the believing community. As a missionary, it is not easy to separate "work" from family life, and the two are constantly entangled. This puts unique pressure on the kids, and they feel the weight of the parents always sharing the gospel and living within the host community. Then, when they come to America, their parents are often still treated with great respect. However, there is also a distance as many Americans can't quite understand missionaries and their experiences.
So, what to do? There are so many variables in every missionary family that it is hard to give much helpful advice, so consider what I write below as guiding principles, especially for younger children. My prayer is that it can help you serve missionary kids well.
- Treat them like any other kid that might visit your children's ministry. Hold them to the same standards as everyone else and expect them to follow the same rules. Don't expect them to be super-spiritual for their age or automatically able to share a testimony in public. They are not the missionaries.
- More important than it is with American families, if you see a problem with a missionary kid, approach their parents with your concerns in love. Don't react with instinct. Don't remind the kid who their parents are; believe me, they know.
- Prepare the kids in your church to embrace their new friend before he or she arrives. Plan to have more free time with the kids or games that allow some open interaction with peers. This can help a missionary kid find some natural friends, which can be the best thing for them. For teens planning a youth event or excursion to coincide with a visit from a missionary kid can be an excellent chance for them to make friends.
- Make friends with missionary kids on their terms. Asking kids about their field might be natural, but engaging their interests, hobbies, and favorite American things is best. Please find out about their hopes for their stay in America. Let the kids initiate ministry talk on their terms; don't push them.
- Generally, let the missionary kid know they are not just important because they are extensions of their parents but because they are essential in their own right, and you want to know them. That is why they can follow the same rules as everyone else, and if you ask them to do some ministry or help in the group, it is because you have seen how the Lord is working in their lives and not because of who their parents are.
Helping the missionary's kids in these ways and others is a great blessing to any missionary family. It makes the kids themselves anxious to come back to your church and spend time with the family of believers that sent them on the mission. That is a task worth doing.
Read other articles in this series: Global Missions Pyramid
Global Missions Strategy
Oct 16, 2023 1 min · David S Today, I want to talk about the pinnacle of the Global Missions Pyramid – strategy. For a local church to effectively fulfill its responsibilities in global missions, it must have clear strategic initiatives… Read More
Global Missions Philosophy
Sep 18, 2023 2 min · David S Today, I want to talk about the second level of the Global Missions Pyramid – philosophy. For a local church to effectively fulfill its responsibilities in global missions, she must understand who she… Read More
Global Missions Theology
Aug 14, 2023 2 min · David S For a local church to fulfill its responsibilities in global missions, it must understand God’s mandate, His character, and His interests before the church can develop an effective and long-lasting strategy.… Read MoreAuthor
Brian W
Brian served 14 years in the Republic of Georgia, where he started a youth ministry, discipled new leaders, and planted over 15 new churches before serving in leadership of another missions organization. Brian is married to Maia and they have two children.
Brian served 14 years in the Republic of Georgia, where he started a youth ministry, discipled new leaders, and planted over 15 new churches before serving in leadership of another missions organization. Brian is married to Maia and they have two children.