Author Archives: parentsofgoers

When my oldest daughter left for a third world country with a six-month-old baby on her hip, I began a journey of sorrow that I didn’t choose. I thought I supported missions — until it was my own child leaving for full-time overseas work.

Here is the second installment in the Ask the Experts Series. Get a very educational sneak peek into the daily routine of one of our resident goers.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand what it means to be a Goer. Over the next few posts, we have asked some of our Goers to contribute and educate us about what they do. We hope that our “Ask the Experts” series will fill in some of the gaps and help you to be a more informed parent

As parents, we often spend so much time taking care of others that we forget we need someone to care for us. God is a watchful, caring Father who longs for us to experience His loving presence. Use these tips to remind yourself that he is near.

Are you wondering how to make your Goers feel loved this Christmas when you can’t send a gift in the mail? Here is a list of creative ideas that don’t require a stamp

We’ve started a podcast. Check out our first two episodes: “Why the Parent of Goers Podcast” and “Kids on Mission.”

Our Goers are spiritual parents in a sense. Like actual parents, they’ve had to learn new rhythms and routines to help them in this holy endeavor of growing the family of God. They are teaching and showing, pointing and calling their “children” to spiritual independence.

Letting go of children to overseas work is hard, but rewarding. While the journey goes through multiple stages, the end is worth it.

As a parent of a Goer, you probably have mixed emotions about your son or daughter moving far away.. Concern for their safety. Wondering whether going overseas will change your relationship with them. Perhaps, like me, you are confused and somewhat embarrassed by their need to raise support. This blog will dive into why they raise support and how that is valuable for them and for the Kingdom of God.

Releasing our kids to go abroad on mission feels a little like that—we fear for their safety and want to protect, yet we know we must foster their independence….And guess what? They can do it by themselves. The transition may be rocky as they learn to use the “training wheels” of team members and their sending organizations, but soon they will become accustomed to their new culture.

As missionaries spent the past year being out of the context of their work and identity, they had to rely on the most essential worker, Jesus Christ. How can we find our hope and identity in him instead of in what we do.

Like our kids, Jesus was the Ultimate Goer; he left his home on mission to make his Father known. And God is the Ultimate Missionary Parent; he sent Jesus to live, die, and be resurrected in our place. As we approach Easter where we celebrate this resurrection, may you be drawn into a relationship with the One whom your kids proclaim.

“Anxiety…Grief…Fear…Isolation. These are all words I once used to describe the unique sorrow I experienced by having a child overseas…I want to share the things God has taught me with those who are just beginning this difficult and confusing journey. Because parents of Sent-Ones have a unique path, most churches fail to minister well to those in this niche.”

One of the main reasons many young people do not go overseas long-term is because of their parents. Parents, most often out of love, have a desire to keep their children safe and to guard them from the unknowns. Parents can and should be involved in the process of helping their young adult decide what to do with their lives.