Missionary Kid Ministries

by Glenda Williams

Each year a number of our missionaries’ children (MKs) return to the States to go to college or to enter the work force. This a crucial reentry process. It is often the first cross-cultural adjustment they will make without their parents. In many cases missionaries put their children on a plane to travel alone to the States while they remain on the mission field. This reentry is usually permanent since the MK probably will not return to the field to live in the same situation.

The college-bound MK must adjust to campus life. This is a major adjustment for any young person. MKs must adapt to American culture as well. Many will enter the job market for the first time. This can be very difficult because in most countries where the MKs have lived, all the jobs were reserved for the nationals. Since they have been unable to work at any part-time jobs, they have not gained any experience in the job force.

In 1990 the MK program was born out of the obvious need to minister to MKs returning to the US to attend college or to work. God opened the opportunity for me to return to college. During those years I sat in the classroom with many MKs. Because of my employment with BIMI, I began to have a special burden for MKs, especially for the members of our BIMI family. They were lonely and needed a friend. Some even needed a “Mom” since they were away from their families.

I began to pray and prepare for this ministry. It was presented to our administration for approval and the MK ministry was born. The program does not attempt to replace the parents. It was created to assist MKs to successfully make the transition from the foreign mission field to the US and to achieve independent living as college students or career adults. We felt that God would have us adopt the following objectives for our ministry.

I. Basic Objectives of the MK Ministry

Parents are the number one influence on their children and carry the responsibility for training them in such areas as family and spiritual values, Christian education, developing spiritual growth and helping them make cultural adjustments.

The home in which the MK grows up is far more important than the country in which he/she is reared.

MKs need to be encouraged to make the most of every opportunity and with the Lord’s help turn every situation into a growing experience.

We know that the specific call and burden of missionary service belongs to the parents. However, children are a vital part of the ministry. Many times the MKs feel they have been called along with their parents. God does not fragment families. The children must be made to feel that they are a vital part of the ministry.

Our goal is to help missionary parents encourage their children to minister at their level and interest. MKs should always seek to support the parents in any way they can. The parents’ ministry often grows because of the children’s contact with other children.

Young adults have a common bond and immediately identify with one another. Our goal is to help the college-bound or career-minded MK integrate back into US society and achieve independent living.

We want to be a resource for parents and MKs — a channel of communication to facilitate reentry. To do this, we will maintain current information on the missionary family members.

The MK ministry is on-going. We keep a file in our office on each MK college student in the States. This file consists of the student’s name, age, birthdate, college address, phone number, projected graduation date, etc.

We do not forget the MKs. The line of communication is kept open between the student and our office in the following ways:

1. We use personal correspondence, calls and gifts by mailing birthday cards, care packages, Christmas gifts and greeting cards for special occasions. We constantly try to keep in personal touch.

2. For MK fellowship, we have groups of college students for weekend fellowships at the World Missions Center.

3. Each year Alan Robinson and our directors are invited to attend Mission Emphasis weeks at Christian colleges. They make personal contact with BIMI MKs and spend as much time as they can listening to them talk and fellowship during that week. God has used this special time to speak to young adults about giving their lives to missions.

4. After graduation from college, our ministry follows MKs through special times in their lives such as engagements, weddings and the birth of their children.

II. MK Reentry Retreat

In August of this year at the World Missions Center, we will host our first annual Enrichment Week for furloughing missionary families. We are excited that God is enabling this to happen. This has been a dream and goal of Dr. Ed Gibson and others since we moved our headquarters in 1995. Not only will this be a time of spiritual enrichment, relaxation, fun and food, but also a time of another dream being fulfilled.

The MK Reentry Retreat will be introduced during Enrichment Week.

1. The Reentry Retreat will be designed to help college-bound MKs reenter the American culture.

2. It will provide opportunities for MKs to interact with other MKs of their own age.

3. MKs will become aware that they are not alone and that most MKs experience similar situations. We will discuss entry into college, opening bank accounts, job interviews, obtaining driver’s licenses, etc.

4. MKs will be making new friends and fitting into society. We will spend time promoting spiritual growth and enrichment.

5. Last but not least, MKs will have FUN (baseball games, etc.)

Please pray for our staff as we plan the Enrichment Week and Re-entry Retreat. The dates are August 4 - 8, 1997. Our desire is for God to work in the lives of these young adults. We wish to be available to assist them in making the transition as well as to see their spiritual growth and maturity.

III. How you can minister to college age MKs who are “Home Alone”

1. Write to BIMI for a list of MKs who are reentering the US for college or for work. Please let us know which family or families your church supports and we will give you suggestions as to how you will be able to help.

2. Open your church homes to the MKs on weekends, holidays, or summer vacations.

3. Send “care” packages including non-perishable food items, homebaked cookies, notepads, stationery, bedding, soap, shampoo, deodorant, detergent, or a check.

4. Pray for the MKs and their families. This will be a lonely time, especially the first year away from home. They need much encouragement. The parents will enjoy hearing from you regarding your interest in their children. Let them know that their supporting pastors and churches really love and care for their missionaries and their families.

If you would like to support our MK ministry, please contact Glenda Williams, BIMI, P.O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, TN 37412, (423) 344-5050 (ext. 164), Fax (423) 344-4774.