What do we at the end of our grit? The Resilient Global Worker Study listened to the experience and wisdom of ~900 cross-cultural ministers of the Gospel. What they shared transformed our understanding of how to persevere with joy. Subscribe and join us.
Returning to Where It All Began: a story, a request, a nativity resource.
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Hi Reader, I'm heading to the MHM Conference in Hurst, TX I first attended 12 years ago as a graduate student in my final year of training—longing to serve in missionary care, but unsure how to get there. I assumed I’d need to slog through years in community mental health, earn an MDiv, spend a decade on the field, and then maybe hope to be helpful to ministry families. So when I left for that first conference, I was praying for a way forward. As I joined workshops, worship, and conversations, key pieces simply fell into place. I left with new connections, clarity, and a plan to start a missionary care program at OCMC. Since then, MHM has become a cherished community—filled with relationships that have stood the test of time and contributions that have shaped my vocation. For many personal reasons, I’m especially grateful to return this year. A few years later, in 2018, I was invited to share about missionary care at the OCMC board meeting. As I prayed about what to say, I couldn’t shake Jesus’ words in Luke 12:11–12. The invitation was challenging but unmistakable: “Don’t prepare your presentation—prepare your heart.” With trembling and fervent prayer, that’s what I did. That experience changed how I approach ministry travel. The best preparation is wholehearted prayer. Would you pause and pray for us?About 200 people will gather at MHM around this year’s theme: With Grace and Truth: Pathways for Humble and Effective Service/Care.
There will be plenaries, workshops, the Research & Resource Fair, long conversations over meals and quick connections in the hallways, and plenty happening behind the scenes to pull it off. 🙏 Each of us arrives with our mix of needs, concerns, and hopes. 🙏 None of us knows what will unfold or whose prayers we might play a role in answering. 🙏 All of us are making sacrifices to be there in faith, hope, and love—for the sake of the countless missionaries and ministers we collectively care about. So we pray: 🕊️ Holy Spirit, You are welcome here. Help each of us offer what we can and receive what we need. For the sake of those we serve and for the greater glory of God our Father. Amen. An Advent ResourceFor those of us in private practice, one of our sacrifices is the lack of institutional support. Conference expenses are multiplied by the time away from clients. That's why we created this resource - every contribution goes directly to our ministry travel fund. Last Thanksgiving our family led a 3-day retreat for about 30 workers in the Middle East around the theme Resilience: Wholeness & Brokenness. It was a beautiful experience for them—and for us. We recorded the sessions, edited them for privacy, and placed the audio, transcripts, slides, handouts, and even our teaching notes into a Google Drive folder. The themes of the retreat are really for all of us, not only Christian workers overseas. This give-what-you-can resource is perfect for a DIY retreat during Advent (there's resources for that too). Take a look and see if it might bless you or someone you care for.
Plus, whatever you contribute now will help cover the expenses of attending MHM and help us know what we can say "Yes!" to next. With Expectant Hope,
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Missional Resilience
What do we at the end of our grit? The Resilient Global Worker Study listened to the experience and wisdom of ~900 cross-cultural ministers of the Gospel. What they shared transformed our understanding of how to persevere with joy. Subscribe and join us.