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The Joys and Challenges of Returning from the Mission Field
Returning from the mission field is a deeply emotional experience—and unique to every individual.
It can be a time of great joy—reuniting with loved ones, sharing testimonies, and resting after years of dedicated service. But it can also be disorienting. The place you once called home has changed, and so have you. Friends and family may not fully understand your experiences, and you may feel caught between two worlds—no longer fully belonging to either.
If you’re a returning missionary or global worker, know that you are not alone in these often complex feelings.
Many others have walked this path before you, experiencing both the delights and the struggles of reentry. While the challenges are real, so is the hope. Jesus understands what it means to leave one place of ministry for another. He is with you as you navigate this new season.
The Top 3 Challenges of Reentry
Studies and surveys of returning missionaries highlight common struggles faced during reentry. Here are three of the biggest challenges:
1. Shifting Values and Identity
Missionary work profoundly shapes your worldview, priorities, and spiritual life. You may have grown in faith through trials, learned to live with less, or developed deep relationships in another culture. Returning to a more familiar setting, where people seem preoccupied with things that now feel trivial, can be unsettling.
You might ask, Who am I now? Where do I fit? Your identity has been reshaped, and finding your place again can take time. Jesus himself experienced this when He returned to Nazareth: "A prophet is not without honour except in his own town" (Matthew 13:57).
2. Relational Disconnect and Loneliness
Many missionaries feel a sense of loss when leaving behind a community they invested in deeply. At the same time, relationships at "home" might have changed. Friends and family may struggle to relate to your experiences, and you could find yourself feeling isolated.
Missionary reentry studies show that returning workers often feel unheard or unseen. While people ask, "How was your trip?" they may not be prepared for a deep response. Jesus also experienced this—His disciples fell asleep during His most anguished moment in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:40). Yet He still reached out in love.
3. Lack of Clear Purpose Moving Forward
For years, you had a clear calling and mission. Now, with that chapter behind you, it can be challenging to discern what’s next. Without a new purpose, returning missionaries often struggle with feelings of aimlessness or even depression. But God is not done with you. As He told Israel in exile: "For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).
Finding Stability: Practical Strategies for Self-Care
Transitioning well takes intentionality. Here are some ways to care for yourself during this season:
Create Space to Process – Journal, pray, or seek counselling to unpack your experiences and emotions.
Connect with Like-Minded People – Find a reentry support group, mission-focused church, or mentor who understands your journey. (Don’t rule out online support groups while you are finding your feet.)
Give Yourself Grace – Reentry is a process, not an event. Adjustments take time.
Invest in Physical and Emotional Well-Being – Exercise, eat well, and engage in activities that bring joy and peace.
Celebrate Growth and Change – Acknowledge how God has shaped you and embrace your new perspective.
Permission to Live - Survivor’s guilt is real. Even though you may have experienced hardship or witnessed trauma, you are allowed to enjoy the abundant life God has given you. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Living in joy does not diminish the work you have done or the people you love. You honour them by embracing the life God has for you now. Give yourself permission to celebrate, to rest, and to step into new opportunities without guilt.
Resting: Letting God Refill and Restore You - Reentry can feel like an exhausting journey—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. In the midst of transition, it’s easy to feel pressure to immediately find your next mission or purpose. But before you step into the next season, give yourself permission to rest. Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16), modelling the importance of pausing to reconnect with the Father. Rest is not inactivity—it is a sacred space where God refills, refreshes, and heals. Allow Him to restore your soul (Psalm 23:3), knowing that your worth is not in what you do, but in who you are as His beloved. Take time to sit in His presence, to grieve what was, and to receive His peace for what’s ahead.
Passion and Calling - Your passion for God’s work has not faded—it has been refined. This is a time to rediscover what ignites your heart. Perhaps your love for teaching, discipling, or advocating for the marginalised has deepened. Ask yourself: What breaks my heart? What stirs my spirit? This passion is often a clue to how God is leading you next. Lean into it with trust, knowing that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion (Philippians 1:6).
Embracing a New Mission Field
Just because your mission field has changed does not mean your calling has ended. God places His people in different seasons for different purposes. Maybe your mission field is now in your workplace, your local community, or within your own family. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is not bound by geography—it is a lifelong calling to make disciples wherever you are. Take time to ask: How can I be faithful in this season? and trust that God will reveal the next steps in His perfect timing.
Refining your purpose helps you step forward with clarity and confidence, knowing that God is still at work in your life.
Writing a New Purpose Statement
A purpose statement helps ground you as you navigate this transition. Rather than focusing on what you’ve lost, it invites you to embrace what God is doing now. Ask yourself:
What values have become central to me through this journey?
What gifts and skills has God refined in me?
How can I serve in this new season—whether in missions, work, or community?
Your mission may not look the same as before, but God’s calling remains. Perhaps you’ll disciple others in your local church, mentor new missionaries, or advocate for justice in new ways. Keep your heart open to where He leads. Consider writing a statement that reflects this season, such as:
“I will use my experiences, faith, and skills to glorify God and serve others, whether through mentorship, advocacy, or building community.”
It might even look like:
"I will rest."
Resting, renewing and refining your purpose helps you step forward with clarity and confidence, knowing that God is still at work in your life.
Need Support? You're Not Alone
If you’re struggling to adjust, feeling isolated, or unsure of your next steps, I offer counselling for returning missionaries. Together, we can process your experiences, explore your new identity, and create a meaningful path forward.
You are not forgotten. You are not alone. You are still on mission—wherever God has placed you.
I provide discounted rates for missionaries and full-time volunteers.