Developing realistic expectations of a missionary and his ministry is a key way to start supporting him. WorldVenture believes that ongoing personal development of its missionaries is essential to the task of effective cross-cultural ministry. This framework of ongoing personal development and care is shaped by the multifaceted needs of missionaries - needs such as financial, prayer, pastoral, spiritual, physical, continual training/education, team building, family encouragement, children's education. For cross-cultural workers, receiving "member care" is essential not only from the mission but also from those who partner with the workers in ministry. Development and care should be ongoing, and should occur in both overseas and stateside environments. The support and development of the missionary is a commitment that spans his life cycle.

• Stay informed.
• Volunteer to help if the need arises.
• Pray and develop a team who will pray.
• Check our website for ongoing information.
• Be generous in your giving.
• Don't insist on regular contact with your missionary but connect with them through WorldVenture.
• If missionaries have had to be evacuated from crisis situations, provide a healing community.
• If re-deployment is necessary, provide financial support, prayer support, encouragement and input.

• Provide a safe place to debrief and to seek prayer and emotional support.
• Be concerned and pray but don't pry.
• Give the missionary emotional and physical space if needed.
• Offer pastoral and member care when requested.
• Continue to contribute financially or provide for emergencies with one time gifts.
• Write notes of encouragement are appreciated.
• Partner with the sending agency to provide maximum care for the missionary.

• Befriend them.
• Show interest in their ministry and overseas life.
• Include them in social activities
• Host a gathering for them to give ministry update or just to introduce them to the church family.
• Offer vacation possibilities.
• Care for family needs like babysitting, loaning a car, providing car maintenance, grocery shopping, and communication support.
• Introduce the children to children their age.
• Provide them with a cultural update on trends, US & local news and fashions.
• Provide them with orientation to the community like the grocery store, hospital, and local schools.

This is just the beginning of suggestions. LinkCare provides a monthly "resource tool" which is designed to provide insight for personnel workers in ministry-related areas. If you would like to be added to receive this free monthly tool, then e-mail Ken at KenRoyer@aol.com

15 THINGS EVERY MISSIONARY NEEDS

Specific guidelines to assist in praying for your missionary

Do you sometimes seem to "get stuck" when praying for missionaries? Are you frustrated because your prayers seem general or shallow? If so, herer are some specific things you can pray for when you are interceding for missionaries.

1. Love for God
   Overworked missionaries can become service-oriented rather than love-oriented. Pray that your missionaries' love for the Lord will deepend, and that love for him will always be their prime motivation for service.
   
2. Love for Others
   Yes, missionaries are human, and just like you, sometimes they have trouble showing love and respect to those "difficult to love" people-either their missionary coworkers or nationals. Pray that the Lord will make your missionaries' love "increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else" (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
   
3. A Deeper Relationship with God
   Missionaries' schedules can become so packed that they might skip or skimp on their time with the Lord. Pray that your missionaries would follow Jesus' example. It's hard to imagine any missionary having a busier life that he did, yet he consistently sought out time alone to commune with his Father.
   
4. Spirit-Controlled Lives
   Just like the rest of us, sometimes missionaries have a tendency to do the Lord's work in their own energy and human ingenuity. Pray that all of your missionaries' actions will be under the control, and by the power of, the Holy Spirit.
   
5. The Fruit of the Spirit
   As you pray that your missionaries will be under the control of the Holy Spirit, pray that the fruit of the Spirit-the very beauty of Jesus-will be manifest in their lives.
   
6. Wisdom and Knowledge
   Strong-willed missionaries often come into conflict when two or more of them have opposing viewpoints. Pray that missionaries will have the wisdom of God, which James describes as "first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).
   
7. Courage
   Imagine your missionaries making the same prayer request Paul did in Ephesians 6:19: "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel."
   
8. Receptive Hearts
   Pray for divine providence, that the Lord will lead your missionaries to people whose hearts will be open to hearing and receiving the gospel message.
   
9. Disciples
   Pray that your missionaries will experience the joy of leading others to salvation, and of "teaching them to obey everything [Christ] commanded" (Matthew 28:20).
   
10. Strong Faith
    The apostles once made a direct request of Jesus: "Increase our faith!" Pray that your missionaries will have great faith that will lead them to ask great things of our Lord.
    
11. Steadfastness
    Pray that your missionaries will follow Paul's advice to the Corinthians: "Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).
    
12. Strong Family
    Cross-cultural living can magnify even small family conflicts. Pray that members of missionary families will be drawn together, not torn apart, by living in a new culture.
    
13. Protection
    Missionaries are prime targets of the enemy. Join Jesus in praying to the Father: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one" (John 17:15).
    
14. Material Needs
    Missionaries often face harsh living conditions, and may have to struggle to meet basic physical needs. Pray that the Lord will supply all their financial and material needs "according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
    
15. Health and Strength
    In today's increasingly violent world, missionaries face not only sickness, they may also be victims of crime, civil unrest or political upheaval. Pray that the Lord will grant the measure of health and strength that will bring his greatest glory and the greatest good for the missionaries.
    The next time you sit down to pray for your missionaries, use this list as a guide to help you pray specifically. And pray for your missionaries consistently. They need you, and the Lord needs you to help fulfill his Great Commission. Your prayers count!
    

1. Build a relationship.
   MKs are kids with a lot of adults in their lives. It's unrealistic to expect them to know you when your involvement in their lives is limited to once every five years. Be consistent in communicating with them and their families. Visit them overseas when you have a chance, exchange pictures, send the Sunday comics, be involved.
   
2. Be informed.
   Communicating with someone who makes an effort to know basic facts about your life and your country is much more enjoyable than talking with someone who merely makes assumptions. The more informed you are, the better your questions and comments will be. Learn more about TCKs and their world; they have a unique set of experiences, skills and worldview. See www.tckinteract.net and www.tckworld.com ,
   
3. Meet felt needs.
   Getting to know MKs will help you know how best to help them in ways that are meaningful to them. International calling cards, a home away from home, a gift card, or a subscription to a magazine especially for TCKs such as "Among Worlds" (write to amongworlds@tckinteract.net) all make great gifts for MKs.
   
4. Help them transition.
   MK life is filled with transition. You can help make the transitions easier. Remember that coming to the States is probably not coming home for them. They are "constant immigrants" with the ability to make unique contributions. As immigrants, they often find the "normal" overwhelming and the "extraordinary" usual. Introduce them to peers and mentors, serve as a liaison between the MK and their new school. Give the MK room to observe and make decisions before jumping in to an activity or a group.
   
5. Pray.
   Pray for their health; their part in their parents' ministries; their adjustments to new places, schools and ideas; their spiritual and emotional growth.