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Missionary Reentry Repatriation Checklist

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As Christians, we think a lot about missions. We celebrate missionaries when they experience God's call and go to fulfill the Great Commission. And we support them through our prayers and our finances while they're on the field. But the missionary reentry repatriation checklist is something far fewer people think about—and it matters just as much.

That's all important stuff. But what about the missionaries who are coming home, either for a short time or for the rest of their lives? Individual Christians and churches need to invest time and energy exploring missionary reentry resources so we can assist and honor those who have already served.

 

Coming Home

Missionaries come home for a lot of reasons. Some have spent years on the field, and they have sensed that God is moving them into a new season in life. That could include retirement or a new domestic ministry opportunity, like pastoring or teaching.

Others need to come home for medical or emotional reasons. Issues like burnout and stress are real among career missionaries, and these brothers and sisters need help as they navigate reentry. A few even might be returning because of a moral failure and are seeking spiritual healing.

Regardless of the reason, working through a missionary repatriation checklist is important because coming home can be difficult. Missionaries need time to reorient themselves, to deal with what some have called "reverse culture shock." Just as they had to adjust to a new culture when they went overseas, they will need to acclimate as they transition back home. Receiving returning missionaries well is something churches and sending agencies need to prepare for intentionally.

That's where solid missionary reentry resources can help.

 

Missionary Reentry Repatriation Checklist: 4 Key Options

If you're a missionary who is beginning the reentry process, you need to know what's available to make the transition as smooth as possible. If you're someone who has a heart for helping missionaries make that transition, you also need a sense of the most effective tools for that. Either way, working through a missionary reentry repatriation checklist will be beneficial.

We've identified four key options for reentering missionaries. You may want to focus on one, or you may be able to take advantage of multiple offerings. Some of them might even overlap. But these provide a great starting place for missionary reentry resources.

 

1. Sending Agencies

When it comes to life as a missionary, the right sending agency can make all the difference in the world. The same is true with resources for returning missionaries. When you feel God's call to move off the field and come back home, your sending agency should be your first call. An experienced agency has worked through hundreds of reentry scenarios, and they can provide help with the initial steps of your transition. 

 

2. Local Churches

From a biblical perspective, churches send missionaries into the field. That's been the model since Paul and Barnabas were called in Acts 13. So, it makes sense that churches should be the ones who provide open arms for missionaries when they return. As a missionary facing reentry, look for churches that have a plan for ministering to returning missionaries. This can make a huge difference in your adjustment back to life at home.

 

3. Conferences and Retreats

In the early church, mission trips were followed by times of debriefing. For modern missionaries, that should happen at a deeper level with the sending agency and at simpler levels through church reports. But those opportunities still may not get to the root of a missionary's reentry issues. As part of any missionary repatriation checklist, consider various conferences and retreats that might assist in your adjustment period. Along with this, don't overlook the benefits of enlisting a reliable Christian counselor. Returning missionaries often benefit from thinking through what healthy boundaries look like in a new season of life.

 

4. Books

As missionaries prepare to move overseas, they often read books about the lives of other missionaries and how to adapt to various cultures. You also can find books focused on reentry transitions. Again, your sending agency may be able to recommend some books or brochures that address making the shift from life on the field to life back at home.

 

Making the Move

As you work through missionary reentry resources, don't forget the most important resource at your disposal: God. If you're a returning missionary, you can recall how you leaned into Him, His Word, and prayer as you started your journey. He is still faithful, and He will walk with you through missionary reentry. Likewise, if you believe God is calling you to assist missionaries during reentry, God will give you the wisdom and discernment you need to establish an effective ministry.

Almost every missionary comes home at some point. Taking the time to examine and integrate a solid missionary reentry repatriation checklist makes sense. Ultimately, the wise use of reentry resources honors the servant and glorifies the Master.

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