About

Hi, I’m Tori Haverkamp, creator of the Parents of Goers ministry. I’m glad you’re here.

During the spring of 2020, I took a Missiology class to finish my Master of Theological Studies degree. As a final project, we were to design a workable mission program for our local church. Since our church already had a good model for national and international missions, I decided to change the rules, which is what I always do with assignments—or recipes or sewing patterns—with limited success. This time, however, I changed the rules of the assignment because I thought I had a better idea (which is also always the case). 

Being 25 years older than the average seminary student and also the mother of a missionary gave me a unique perspective on missions that my Missiology cohorts didn’t have. I wanted to design a mission program not for the “Goers”, but for the parents of the Goers—the “Stayers.” 

Here is an excerpt from my project:

As a missionary mom, I have few other parents who can relate to my situation. And, although I am in awe of the great God who chose my child to go on mission abroad, I often let the sadness of his absence eclipse the wonder of his position. With the addition of a daughter-in-law and now a granddaughter, the longing for closeness—for sharing life together—has become even more pronounced. I think this longing for family togetherness is God-ordained, but what I have learned is this: not all my desires will be realized on this side of Heaven. However, maybe God has placed me here at such a time as this so I can help meet the needs of those we have neglected.

That missiology project birthed The Parents of Goers ministry. Over the past several years, this ministry has consisted of the Parents of Goers Blog and the Parents of Goers Podcast. It has now expanded to include the book, The Missionary Mama’s Survival Guide. 

I am excited to see what God will do with this community that He has established. And I’m anxious to connect with you. I welcome guest posts and would love to hear your story. Send me yours. Contact me for more information. 

Let’s walk this road together, friend.

Blessings,

Tori