MC2 2022: A Stable Mission in an Age of Instability

Brian and his wife Cathi have served in ReachGlobal since 2007. They lived ten years in Latin America as Brian led the work of ReachGlobal in that region.  In 2017 they returned to the States and Brian led the leaders of each ReachGlobal region. In early 2019 he became the Executive Vice President of International Ministries serving the EFCA President as the leader of all ReachGlobal ministries.

These responsibilities cover the missionaries, strategy and work of ReachGlobal with over 550 missionaries in 40+ countries around the globe as well as ReachGlobal’s Global Equipping ministry that serves our staff and partners worldwide, GlobalFingerprints that opens doors for church planting through child sponsorship, and Crisis Response who comes alongside churches to engage the mission field that God opens in the wake of crises. 

Brian began his career as a church planting pastor, then moved into a variety of experiences in nursing, humanitarian work near the Afghanistan border, healthcare information technology and consulting in the healthcare industry.  Brian and Cathi have four grown children and two grandchildren.

Brian works with ReachGlobal leadership and EFCA churches to develop innovative approaches for utilizing missionaries, partnerships and resources to multiply transformational churches among all people.  Cathi serves in local ministry as well as using her women’s health background to come alongside the women of ReachGlobal.

Amy Young, MA, LPC served in China for nearly 20 years, holding various leadership roles, including Member Care Director for 10 years. She cofounded Velvet Ashes, an online community for missionaries and is in the process of launching The Global Trellis, an online training center for missionaries. She has written three books for missionaries: Looming Transitions: Starting and Finishing Well in Cross-Cultural Service, Love Amy: An Accidental Memoir, and All the News: How to Write Christian Newsletters. She lives in Colorado and is delighted not to have to get up in the middle of the night to cheer for the Denver Broncos and Kansas Jayhawks.

I have served in WBT and SIL International for 60+ years, most of that time with my husband, Dick. My contributions or roles included: translator, candidate assessment, trainer, counselor, developer and administrator of International Counseling Department, creator of Member Care for missions, International Vice President For Personnel, and International Personnel Consultant and Trainer. I have traveled, trained and consulted in 65 countries, done a lot of crisis work, interventions and debriefing. I am also an author including the book Healthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross Cultural Ministry which has now been translated into Indonesian, Korean, Chinese, Ukranian and Russian. I co-authored with Dr. Lois Dodds the three-volume series on Global Servants. Other writings include chapters in books, and probably 500 articles. I have a theological diploma, two undergraduate degrees and two advanced degrees, including a doctorate from Denver Seminary. I am an adjunct professor at Columbia International University. I have served on a number of boards. My husband, Dick, preceded me to heaven a few months ago thus I continue on alone reading, speaking, teaching, consulting, and serving as requested.

Doug Lucas founded Team Expansion in 1978 and, over 40 years later, still serves as the organization’s President. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Bible, a Master’s degree in Missions, an MBA, and a Doctorate in Business Administration. The organization makes its home on a 61-acre Prayer, Retreat, and Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky and currently has over 300 full-time workers in 50 countries who are praying daily that God helps them make and multiply disciples among the unreached for His glory. Learn more about Team Expansion at www.TeamExpansion.org . Doug has been married to Penny since 1979. They have two grown children and one granddaughter. Doug’s book, More Disciples, is designed to help believers discover how they and their believing communities can be more effective at multiplying disciples and churches. Doug is also the founder and lead editor of Brigada, a weekly e-zine and website filled with information, resources, and trends for missions mobilizers, mission staff people, missions committee members, and missionaries. In his work with Team Expansion and Brigada throughout more than four decades, Doug has seen examples and case studies of how to prioritize, send, and mobilize workers.

Why is this an important topic for us to consider and talk about as churches that desire to support and care for missionaries?  As we invest ourselves in thinking and planning how will it help us get better at our role as the church?

What is changing in our world and in the ministry of global intercultural missions?  Are some of these things unstoppable while others are being entered into by our choice?  Is the change good, bad or neither?

Several things related to the spread of the Gospel to all nations are not changing and should not change. The Gospel itself, the need of our world to experience the Gospel, and the role of the church in sending and enabling messengers are three areas that certainly are not changing.  God does not change!

Our attitudes, strategies, priorities and methodologies are all up for reassessment.  But f we don’t start with weighing the condition of our hearts for God and for others, we’ll soon find ourselves in a precarious place.  Change will be necessary.  But perseverance in some fundamentals will also be necessary. 

Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Facetime, Zoom) are wonderful tools in today’s world that allow us to connect with others faster and cheaper than ever before. But these tools can also become a hindrance to effective missionary work. As a church you want to use these assets to encourage and pray for your missionaries, but you’ll also want to not unnecessarily draw your ministry partners away from their most important work – creating relationships with people in the communities where they live, relationships that become bridges for evangelism, disciple-making and ministry training.

Mark and Julie Morgenstern received their roots in missions passion and practice from the Evangelical Free church they both grew up in in Fresno, California. In 1992, God sent them to Russia and then later Ukraine, where they eventually spent 13 years as church planters. In 2006, ReachGlobal asked them to come to Minnesota and provide leadership to the training department; and today, after 16 years spent in missionary training, Mark and Julie both absolutely love their role of providing empowering and encouraging distance learning to missionaries from dozens of organizations all over the world.

International workers often return home with great concerns about their rather specialized ministry role overseas (church planter, relief worker, educator, etc).
Too often, they say, “I was just a missionary, and now that I’m back in the states, the job market has passed me by.” But wait, everyone who has served Jesus in the field somewhere else has more marketable skills than they realize. This workshop will explore ten transferrable skills possessed by missionaries and how we can help them to “land on their feet.”

Dennis R Morrow, Ph.D.
Denny Morrow is the Executive Director of Minnesota Renewal Center. He is a former teacher, principal, school superintendent, professor, executive coach, and not-for-profit leader. For 7 years, he was the outplacement specialist with a missions sending organization who helped 48 missionaries “land on their feet” back in the U.S. He and his wife (Pat) have been married for 48 years.

The last several years have brought about increased societal instability for everyone, but often even more so for our cross-cultural servants. Participants will be led in exploring through a guided art therapy process how a sense of stability might be maintained in a context of instability. This session is not about giving direct answers to this puzzle; it is about helping participants to uniquely process concepts of stability and instability and how they might co-exist.

Kristen’s greatest joy is to help people come alive and heal through art and other trauma-based therapies. Kristen believes artwork holds a unique power to process, heal, integrate, and connect with God. Kristen has worked at Minnesota Renewal Center in Saint Paul, MN for past 4 years. Kristen also enjoys making her own art, connecting with family and friends, competing in triathlons, cooking, gardening, and exploring the wonder and beauty of the outdoors.

Missionaries frequently work in areas of the world that present increased safety challenges, and they do this in a globally connected world. This workshop will explore how sending organizations, friends, families, and supporting churches play a pivotal role in the safety stewardship of those they partner with and support in the field. Through the use of several case studies, attendees will learn about the importance of policies and profiles and what key actions to take during a crisis in the field.

Randy and his wife Joal live in Cottage Grove, MN and are members of Rockpoint Church in Lake Elmo, MN. He has been a volunteer trainer/consultant with Crisis Consulting International since 2015. In his professional life, Randy is a Captain with the Cottage Grove (MN) Police Department—overseeing the investigations division– and a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the FBI. Randy has specialized in behavioral threat assessment & management for over a decade and is a Certified Threat Manager (CTM) through the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and a Master Trainer in the Department of Homeland Security’s National Threat Evaluation & Reporting (NTER) Program.

Entry and re-entry are a confusing time for many and require care and development tools unique to this season. Come explore alongside 4 seasoned missionaries, best practices for caring for missionaries in transition. Together we will speak from firsthand experience of having lived and worked in a collective 14 countries of service. We will offer candid and honest feedback about how we’ve walked with others and offer practical tips for what to do (and not do) for coming alongside of those in need. And share what offerings are available.

Sara Simons is a cross-cultural transition coach and the founder and director of The Way Between. She & her family recently relocated to Colorado after 8 years living & working in southern Spain and a total of 11 years in Europe. Moving during a global pandemic has only increased her compassion for working with ministry leaders in major life transition. After working in a member care capacity as a coach and pastoral care associate for over a decade, she created The Art of Transition Workshop and Workbook as robust tools for major life transition. Sara holds an MA, in Intercultural Studies, a BA, in Psychology and an ACC with International Coaching Federation. Contact her at sara@thewaybetween.org

This workshop is designed for church mission committees or pastoral staff and mission agency HR and Member Care staff. Experienced missionaries are welcome.

Mistakes have sometimes been made at the time of transition; sometimes they have only caused confusion, but at other times they have caused damage rather than being a healing time of change in a worker’s life. Lifelong pain may result as well as distrust in mission structures and feeling let down by the sending church.

Come and hear what probably went wrong and how to do it better. We will discuss five case studies, determine what should have been done differently and by whom. We will also think together about what transition should include. We invite audience participation about their transitions, what was helpful, and what wasn’t.

I have served in WBT and SIL International for 60+ years, most of that time with my husband, Dick. My contributions or roles included: translator, candidate assessment, trainer, counselor, developer and administrator of International Counseling Department, creator of Member Care for missions, International Vice President For Personnel, and International Personnel Consultant and Trainer. I have traveled, trained and consulted in 65 countries, done a lot of crisis work, interventions and debriefing. I am also an author including the book Healthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross Cultural Ministry which has now been translated into Indonesian, Korean, Chinese, Ukranian and Russian. I co-authored with Dr. Lois Dodds the three-volume series on Global Servants. Other writings include chapters in books, and probably 500 articles. I have a theological diploma, two undergraduate degrees and two advanced degrees, including a doctorate from Denver Seminary. I am an adjunct professor at Columbia International University. I have served on a number of boards. My husband, Dick, preceded me to heaven a few months ago thus I continue on alone reading, speaking, teaching, consulting, and serving as requested.

Conflict and disunity between missionaries, team members, ministry partners, and local believers has a significant impact on the stability and effectiveness of ministry in any context. When your missionaries report home about a difficult conflict, what role should you play and how exactly can you help without making it worse? Is Matt.18:15-17 the only biblical response? We will answer these questions, discuss real examples of conflict on the mission field, and learn a biblical step-by-step method of helping others respond to conflicts.

Janeen Davis, PsyD, MFT, has served overseas in a large global ministry since 2007, where she led the Asia Member Care team in providing care and support for personnel whenever they experienced personal struggles, difficult team dynamics, and family needs. In 2020, Covid forced her to evacuate her Asian home and transition back to the States, where she now partners with Peace Pursuit International as a Master Practitioner and Trainer and serves as the Director of Counseling for a church in TN. She also founded Purpose & Peace Solutions, through which she provides consulting and training for various ministry groups, as well as virtual care for missionaries and Christ followers around the world.

Missionary kids (MKs) face unique challenges and enjoy unique benefits from their globally mobile lives. Growing up under the spotlight can affect their relationships with God and with the church, as many feel pressure to look good for their parents’ supporters. In this workshop, we’ll talk about the differing experiences of MKs with the American church and how churches can make a real impact for good in the lives of MKs.

Ali Jackson grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as an MK (missionary kid) and moved to the US at age 16. She studied psychology at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and went on to get her Masters in Missionary Care at Columbia International University in South Carolina. She has been ministering to MKs for 8 years, serving as an MK Caregiver with ReachGlobal. Ali now lives in a little fixer upper home in Richfield, MN with her husband Noah and their two very fluffy cats.

When Jesus said “Come to Me… and I will give you rest,” did He intend to include missionaries in that offer? And if so, what might that look like, and what difference might it make in their lives and ministries? How can churches and agency leaders encourage their missionaries to incorporate regular Sabbath rest into their lives? This workshop will address all of those questions and more, using the definition of Sabbath as “regular, intentional, contemplative, Christ-centered rest.” God’s plan for the rhythms of work and rest can address many of the felt needs of the missionaries, revitalize their spiritual lives, and avoid some of the pitfalls of cross-cultural ministry that can result in burnout and attrition. Sabbath rest is a gift that we do well to accept and enjoy!

After meeting and marrying at a church in Southern California. Mike and Murf Gaston served with Converge International Ministries (the Baptist General Conference Board of World Missions) for 15 years as church planters in Cameroon and France. They returned Stateside in 2001 for Mike to serve as the Missions Pastor at a church in Santa Clarita, CA, and then moved in 2015 to serve a church in Prescott, AZ, where they live today. They have been diligent pursuers of Sabbath rest for over ten years. They began volunteering on the Member Care Team for Converge in 2017, and Mike has been Converge’s Director of Member Care since last March. Their ministry includes a respite apartment in their home (the Selah Suite), where missionaries and other workers can stay free of charge for a period of rest and refreshment. Mike blogs about sabbath and other topics at https://sabbaththoughts.wordpress.com.

The causes of undue stress among missionaries serving overseas has been well studied. This workshop focuses on a study conducted among missionaries working domestically with diaspora people groups. The focus is on a particular group of diaspora missionaries in North America, namely those serving among Muslims. We will discuss what this group of missionaries described as their top stressors in ministry, along with suggested coping methods for these stressors. Applications will be made for organizations, local churches, and missionaries working in a diaspora context in North America.

Rev. Mike Urton, DMin., is the Director of Immigrant Mission for the EFCA. He has served among the Muslim and Muslim Background Believer population of Chicago for 20 years. He is the co-author of Journey to Jesus: Building Christ-centered friendships with Muslims. He also manages and creates content for the EFCA All People YouTube channel.

Representatives from 4 organizations that currently send out missionaries will help us explore the profile of today’s new missionaries. Come for a surprise as we’ll seed the conversation with some starter topics and then let you as the audience take over with asking your questions.

Mark and Julie Morgenstern received their roots in missions passion and practice from the Evangelical Free church they both grew up in in Fresno, California. In 1992, God sent them to Russia and then later Ukraine, where they eventually spent 13 years as church planters. In 2006, ReachGlobal asked them to come to Minnesota and provide leadership to the training department; and today, after 16 years spent in missionary training, Mark and Julie both absolutely love their role of providing empowering and encouraging distance learning to missionaries from dozens of organizations all over the world.

Do you wish you were able to engage in the real needs, written and unwritten, of your church’s missionaries? Join us to discuss prayer and try out new ways to pray. Come ready to participate and also take away ideas to grow in prayer and be a part of helping your church’s missionaries thrive and stay healthy.

Karen has lived in Asia for 17 years with her family, husband and five sons aged five through 18. She enjoys being with people, using nursing skills to help, praying and worshiping. They are currently on home assignment, settling their oldest in college, and healing and retooling for what lies ahead.

This workshop will focus on the challenges missionaries face on the field, specific and practical ways to care for them, and valuable resources and tools that will help them thrive on the field. You will also learn how a church can implement this missionary care process by inviting others in your church into the process.

Mark and Pam Johnson have been married for 41 years, have three adult children that are all married, and seven grandchildren. They have served as Pastoral Care Pastors at River Valley Church for the past 12 years. They enjoy family moments, walks together, reading, traveling, and loving people.

For many missionaries, money is an uncomfortable topic. We trust that the Lord will provide, but secretly feel resentful that we have to raise support. This candid conversation among 4 experienced missionaries will explore future fundraising trends and needs. As well, we will assess and discuss how the church can come alongside of global workers in creative, alternative ways, to best meet their needs.

Sara Simons is a cross-cultural transition coach and the founder and director of The Way Between. She & her family recently relocated to Colorado after 8 years living & working in southern Spain and a total of 11 years in Europe. Moving during a global pandemic has only increased her compassion for working with ministry leaders in major life transition. After working in a member care capacity as a coach and pastoral care associate for over a decade, she created The Art of Transition Workshop and Workbook as robust tools for major life transition. Sara holds an MA, in Intercultural Studies, a BA, in Psychology and an ACC with International Coaching Federation. Contact her at sara@thewaybetween.org

How does your missions team or committee prioritize funding? When you receive appeals for support, do you have a clear strategy and a set of criteria guiding you and your church on how to respond? In this workshop, Doug Lucas will NOT tell you how to respond. Instead, he’ll guide you to a process for designing your own strategy – a strategy that fits you and your church, along with your values and calling.

Doug Lucas founded Team Expansion in 1978 and, over 40 years later, still serves as the organization’s President. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Bible, a Master’s degree in Missions, an MBA, and a Doctorate in Business Administration. The organization makes its home on a 61-acre Prayer, Retreat, and Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky and currently has over 300 full-time workers in 50 countries who are praying daily that God helps them make and multiply disciples among the unreached for His glory. Learn more about Team Expansion at www.TeamExpansion.org . Doug has been married to Penny since 1979. They have two grown children and one granddaughter. Doug’s book, More Disciples, is designed to help believers discover how they and their believing communities can be more effective at multiplying disciples and churches. Doug is also the founder and lead editor of Brigada, a weekly e-zine and website filled with information, resources, and trends for missions mobilizers, mission staff people, missions committee members, and missionaries. In his work with Team Expansion and Brigada down through throughout more than four decades, Doug has seen examples and case studies of how to prioritize, send, and mobilize workers.

What do missionaries actually do out there and how can we be more supportive of them?

What is the daily lifestyle and ministry of missionaries today? Are they primarily pastors and evangelists, teachers and aid workers… or do their roles typically fill other needs in the expansion of God’s Kingdom? And in light of today’s realities, how can we adjust to be as supportive and caring as possible? Brian Duggan will share his fresh and current perspectives as the EFCA International Ministries leader.

Brian and his wife Cathi have served in ReachGlobal since 2007. They lived ten years in Latin America as Brian led the work of ReachGlobal in that region. In 2017 they returned to the States and Brian led the leaders of each ReachGlobal region. In early 2019 he became the Executive Vice President of International Ministries serving the EFCA President as the leader of all ReachGlobal ministries.

These responsibilities cover the missionaries, strategy and work of ReachGlobal with over 550 missionaries in 40+ countries around the globe as well as ReachGlobal’s Global Equipping ministry that serves our staff and partners worldwide, GlobalFingerprints that opens doors for church planting through child sponsorship, and Crisis Response who comes alongside churches to engage the mission field that God opens in the wake of crises.

Brian began his career as a church planting pastor, then moved into a variety of experiences in nursing, humanitarian work near the Afghanistan border, healthcare information technology and consulting in the healthcare industry. Brian and Cathi have four grown children and two grandchildren.

Brian works with ReachGlobal leadership and EFCA churches to develop innovative approaches for utilizing missionaries, partnerships and resources to multiply transformational churches among all people. Cathi serves in local ministry as well as using her women’s health background to come alongside the women of ReachGlobal.

“In this workshop we will explore four key areas for your church to think through, assess how you’re doing, and then walk away with a plan for how to engage your missionaries. While you’ll never be perfect, you can grow in being effective in sending and supporting people. They will thank you for attending this workshop.”

Amy Young, MA, LPC served in China for nearly 20 years, holding various leadership roles, including Member Care Director for 10 years. She cofounded Velvet Ashes, an online community for women missionaries. She founded Global Trellis. Like a trellis in a garden supports a plant, Global Trellis supports cross-cultural workers. Often cross-cultural workers are well equipped when they go to the field and then left by well-meaning but overworked organizations or without the support of an organization to figure how to keep growing on their own. Global Trellis enable cross-cultural workers to have a tended soul and expanding skill set so that they mitigate burnout, overwhelm, or stagnation, and are able to play their role in the Great Commission. Amy is also the author of five books for missionaries. She lives in Colorado and is delighted not to have to get up in the middle of the night to cheer for the Denver Broncos and Kansas Jayhawks.