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Why some people leave the mission field

  • Matt Guilford
  • Jun 1, 2024
  • 2 min read

6/2024

As we begin to look at being full-time missionaries for almost 30 years now, we have reflected on what has kept us in full-time service.


A report by Missio Nexus in 2019, called Field Attrition Study Research Report, was based on data from 11 missionary organizations. It found that between 2016 and 2018, these organizations sent 1014 new missionaries to the field and saw 974 leave their organizations. Out of the 11 organizations only 40 people (and average of 4/organization) were added to their ranks.What causes people to leave the field?

Loneliness - long-term friends who can help through the tough times and bring joy to our daily life are often in short supply for missionaries. A contributing factor is that missionaries lives either seem odd to people around them or they have a hard time being honest about their struggles with others.


Not knowing where “work” ends and “life” begins - The passion for mission can easily override personal well-being which can be harmful.   For us we did not take a vacation for many years after entering full-time service.  We always had a lingering sense of guilt that to do so was a luxury.  After seven years Cru gives their staff a paid 1-month sabbatical  - we took ours at 15 years because we didn’t know how we would use a month off. We didn’t have a model for rest.


But the bottom line of why we are still in full-time ministry is because of Jesus and you! His faithfulness, felt in your prayers, words of encouragement, and financial support, has kept our eyes on Him and the mission: share the gospel.  


Serving with you,




Praises:

Matt has started a new Bible study with a young artist in Orlando and kicked off an artist’s small group which intends to meet quarterly.  Betsy loves her work and is having significant spiritual conversations in the jails.


Prayer Requests:

We have a lot of ministry opportunities on the horizon that we will be sharing with you over the next few months. Please pray for spiritual discernment and wisdom.


 
 
 

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