“There is no way my kids are going to live in another country.” I have heard these very words spoken by parents on numerous occasions when challenging people to allow their children to follow God’s leading as missionaries. In fact, we are finding that this is one of the main reasons why we have fewer surrendering to go to the regions beyond. “We live in a crazy world.” Barna, in their Future of Missions study, recently published some concerning research results which stated, “Only 35 percent of engaged Christian parents of young adults say they would definitely encourage their child to serve in missions, while 25 percent are not open to the idea at all.” The publication goes on to say, “Career success and physical safety are the top concerns.” Nearly half of the parents surveyed said, ‘I’d rather my child get a well-paying job than be a career missionary.’” While this is certainly disheartening, it did not take me by surprise. There is a great deal of conflict among engaged Christian parents regarding this matter. One would think they would be the first to encourage their children to follow God’s leading in their lives.

Well, recently my daughter and her husband surrendered to go to a foreign country as missionaries. They are also expecting their first child – our first grandchild. I know, firsthand, the struggle these parents are experiencing. Now I must practice what I have preached, fully trusting God’s plan. It’s different this time — they are not just going on a two-week mission trip.

I don’t want to minimize the depth of grief that can be felt when one’s child and possible grandchildren will be living across an ocean. There can be a lot of sorrow knowing you will have to watch your grandchildren grow up over Facetime or Zoom calls. However, I remember growing up on the mission field and not speaking with my grandparents for a year at a time. Or when we were missionaries only speaking with my wife’s parents once a month by phone and for only five minutes because of the cost.

The sacrifices made as missionaries are real and can be enduring. We think of those going but often forget about those left behind and the sacrifice they are making. Only eternity will really make sense of it all and help us realize that, for the sake of the Gospel, it will be worth it all.

Our churches are good at promoting serving God full-time and inspiring our young people to go. However, I do often wonder that many are convicted or called to go but, because of the hardship it would cause on their parents, they ignore God’s calling on their lives. It would be good if our churches would take time to teach families to let their children serve wherever God calls them but also be ready to minister to the parents who put the lives of their children in the hands of the Lord and chose to let them go.  We, as God’s people, should rally around them, encourage them, pray for them, help them go visit their kids —all to ease their fears and heartache.

As we celebrate and send out new missionaries from our churches, let’s remember the pain of their parents. Let’s give them special attention and lift them up during their separation reminding them of the One their children are serving and what He did for all of us. Our Savior is worth it. So, let’s gather around the sending parents. They need us! I know my wife and I will be experiencing this and would appreciate all the prayers we can get. I am ready and willing to practice what I preach.

-Jon Konnerup, BBFI Mission Director