This is a very helpful piece from the Great Commission Council on how sending churches and missionaries can better support single missionaries.
Why an article about caring for the single missionary? After all, saints in the church are defined not by marital status, but by their identity as immortal image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27) and sinners redeemed by Christ for his glory. Since their primary identity is not in being single, why must churches and sending agencies pay particular attention to the needs of single missionaries as a demographic?
Singles represent approximately one-third of missionaries on the field; of these, the majority are women. This means that approximately a quarter of all missionaries are single women. Since God continues to give single missionaries to the church, supporting these workers well is essential to the flourishing of our brothers and sisters and the Church’s mission.
Every missionary and field context is different, but the experience of overseas service has implications in the lives of single missionaries which differ from those who are married. These implications are less visible, so leaders in their local church and mission agency must give careful attention to them, ask good questions, and listen well. Leaders do well to understand the unique experience of single missionaries because doing so serves the church in significant ways.
Read the whole article here and learn about the unique realities singles face on the field, the hindrances to their care, and what it can look like when it’s done well.
I’ve written in the past about some of the reasons why I love having singles on our missionary teams. The church – and the church planting team – is simply stronger and more gifted when Aquilas and Priscillas are working alongside Timothys and Silases.
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Photos are from Unsplash.com
Entrusted to the Dirt 