God’s plan for believers is clear: we are to make disciples of all nations. Since our inception, Calvary Bible Church has been following the words Christ gave in the great commission by sending out missionaries—global partners—to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Our desire is to raise up people from our own congregation and send them into the mission field. We currently support nearly 50 partners, including singles and families, from more than 25 countries. Our global partners are ministering to people all over the world in a variety of unique ways and in a variety of different industries. From transportation to medical care to providing technical support to counseling to church planting, God is working mightily through the saints of Calvary.
But with all this work, there remain some significant challenges. Financial and relational pressures. Adjustments to a new language and culture. And a growing antagonism toward Christ make ministry to the lost increasingly difficult.
Yet God is faithful. Isaiah 49:6 says, “I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Global Ministries Engagement and Global Partner Care Resources
1. Understanding Global Ministries and the Global Partner Experience
These resources introduce Global Ministries, cross-cultural service, and the realities Global Partners and their families experience.
Podcasts
Articles: What Global Partners Want Churches to Understand
Perspectives from Life on the Field
Velvet Ashes — Resources and community for women serving cross-culturally.
A Life Overseas — Articles about the spiritual, emotional, relational, and practical realities of overseas life.
The Culture Blend — Resources addressing cross-cultural life and transition.
Interviews and Discussions
A Conversation with Mark Tatlock and David Doran — Mark Tatlock of The Master’s Academy International and David Doran, president of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, discuss a range of current issues in Global Ministries.
2. Engaging the Local Church in Global Ministries
These resources help churches develop a biblical Global Ministries culture and involve the congregation in sending and supporting Global Partners.
Books
Pipeline: Engaging the Church in Missionary Mobilization — David Wilson
Mind the Gaps: Engaging Your Church in Missionary Care — David Wilson
Serving as Senders — Neal Pirolo
Church Engagement Resources
The Upstream Collective — Resources for churches seeking to send and support Global Partners well.
Upstream Sending — Training and resources for church-based sending.
Biblical Ministries Worldwide: Send — Resources for churches and individuals involved in sending.
One Another Ministries: Self-Assessment
Global Ministries Networks and Conferences
Missio Nexus — A network offering Global Ministries resources, training, events, and organizational support.
3. Preparing Global Partners and Their Churches
These resources are especially useful before deployment and during the early stages of a Global Partner’s service.
Training for Church Care Teams and Pastors
Barnabas International — Member-care training, consultations, events, and resources.
Spiritual Formation and Resilience
Journey with Me: Spiritual Formation for Global Workers — Herbert F. Lamp
Healthy, Resilient, & Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry — Dr. Laura Mae Gardner
Trauma and Resilience — Dr. F. Schaefer and Dr. K. Schaefer
TraumaResilience.com — Training materials related to trauma, personal resilience, relational resilience, and spiritual resilience.
Resources available through TraumaResilience.com include:
Spiritual Resilience Checklist
Spiritual Resilience Characteristics
Building Personal and Relational Resilience
Building Spiritual Resilience
These materials can help churches identify important areas of support while preparing and walking alongside Global Partners.
Risk and Danger Preparation
Facing Danger: A Guide Through Risk — Anna E. Hampton
4. Caring for Global Partners Serving on the Field
These resources focus on sustaining Global Partners spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and practically throughout their years of service.
Foundational Member-Care Books
Tender Care: The Heart and Soul of Caring for God’s Scattered Servants
The Uninvited Companion: God’s Shaping Us in His Love Through Life’s Adversities — Scott Shaum
Healthy, Resilient, & Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry — Dr. Laura Mae Gardner
Serving as Senders — Neal Pirolo
Journey with Me: Spiritual Formation for Global Workers — Herbert F. Lamp
Ongoing Member-Care Resources
Practical Support
5. Supporting Global Partner Children and Families
These resources address the distinctive needs of third-culture kids, Global Partner parents, and families living cross-culturally.
Books
Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds — David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken
The Grief Tower — Lauren Wells
Raising a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids — Lauren Wells
Training and Educational Support
SHARE Education Conference — Educational support, consultation, and training for cross-cultural families.
6. Retreats, Encouragement, and Renewal
These opportunities are generally most appropriate after a Global Partner’s first term or later, rather than immediately before departure.
For Global Partner Women
Thrive Ministries — Retreats for Global Partner women supported by volunteer women from the United States.
For Global Partner Men
Traction — A retreat and renewal experience for Global Partner men.
For Global Partner Couples and Families
Breathe — A retreat for Global Partner couples and families.
Educational Support
7. Crisis, Trauma, and Specialized Care
These resources are particularly relevant when Global Partners encounter trauma, danger, significant adversity, grief, or unusual ministry pressures.
Books and Training
Trauma and Resilience — Dr. F. Schaefer and Dr. K. Schaefer
Facing Danger: A Guide Through Risk — Anna E. Hampton
The Uninvited Companion: God’s Shaping Us in His Love Through Life’s Adversities — Scott Shaum
8. Debriefing, Transition, and Re-Entry
These resources help Global Partners process their experiences, transition between cultures, and return well after an assignment or term of service.
Books
The Re-Entry Team — Neal Pirolo
Returning Well: Your Guide to Thriving Back “Home” — Melissa Chapman