A MissioNexus Improve Series Resource with practical insights and activities to help your organization build a thriving culture of care.

About the Book

Essentials for People Care and Development brings together best practices, research, reflections, and strategies from leading voices in member care and mission leadership.

Finding, sending, and caring for missionaries has grown increasingly complex. The mission world is more multicultural, crises more frequent, and shared assumptions less certain. We all long to see ministry staff thrive and serve the Kingdom to their full potential—but how can we practically support that?

This volume offers answers.

Developed through collaboration of member care practitioners, researchers, and leaders, each chapter brings actionable wisdom and tools to help organizations and teams care well for those who serve.

“This book is a labor of love by our community, for our community.”
— Geoff Whiteman, Co-Editor

Inside the Book

  • Research-based insights and spiritual reflections
  • Frameworks for staff care, supervision, and resilience
  • Practical tools for care teams, pastors, and sending organizations
  • Discussion questions and additional resources for each chapter

From trauma-informed care to sabbatical rhythms, supervision, legal considerations, and hospitality—this book provides real-world guidance for every level of care, from the concerned pastor to the professional care provider.

Featured Chapters Include:

Foreword — Laura Mae (“Larrie”) Gardner & Brent Lindquist

  1. A Treasured History: Stories of Resilience — Kristina Whiteman
  2. Trauma-Informed Staff Care — James Covey
  3. The Place of Welcome — Celeste Allen
  4. Managing Missionary Conflict Constructively — David R. Dunaetz
  5. Reframing Sabbatical Posture in the Post-Pandemic Landscape — Jeff & Sara Simons
  6. The Heart of Member Care — Geoff Whiteman

📖 And more...​

Who This Book is For

This resource was created by and for our discipline of member care professionals. The contributors bring together current research and theological reflections, with practical tools and proven strategies.

Each chapter includes discussion questions, and reflection prompts, making this book ideal for:

  • Member care professionals seeking a trusted, go-to reference
  • New practitioners exploring a vocational calling to people care
  • Professors updating course materials with current resources
  • Church or organizational care teams building a shared framework for professional development
“Whether you are leading a care department, teaching in a classroom, or walking alongside a single missionary, this book will help you care well.”

A Word from Geoff Whiteman

When Heather Pubols and I began dreaming about this resource, our prayer was simple: that this offering would serve those doing the quiet, faithful work of caring well for others.

We believe we are not alone in our conviction that we cannot separate our efforts to fulfill the Great Commission from our faithfulness to follow the Greatest Commandment of love.

Therefore, we felt the time was right for an updated resource that could bring together current research, spiritually robust wisdom, practical tools and proven strategies.

Get it for yourself or to read with your team.

Purchase 5 books and get the 6th free.