In this episode, we introduce an important and long-needed conversation on missionary member care—what it is, why it matters, and how it works in real life.

If you would like to ready the complete Member Care Best Practices Guide, follow this link: https://mcusercontent.com/c12b196b16e71128874e5d2b1/files/02b32357-a1c3-4f65-8d70-0ad96c0ba91b/Member_Care_Best_Practices_v1_2026_01_08.pdf

Travis Snode sits down with Jeffrey Bush to unpack a three-legged approach to caring well for missionaries:

1️⃣ The Sending Church

2️⃣ The Mission Organization

3️⃣ The Missionary Themselves

Missionaries often receive strong financial and prayer support, but the emotional, relational, spiritual, and practical challenges of life on the field can be overlooked. In this conversation, we explore how missionaries are truly on the front lines—and why intentional care is essential for long-term faithfulness and fruitfulness.

You’ll hear:

A clear definition of member care and why it must be proactive

Practical ideas for how local churches can care for their missionaries

How Vision Baptist Missions is strengthening its support structures

The role missionaries play in caring for their own spiritual and emotional health

How isolation, burnout, and discouragement can be prevented through connection and communication

This episode is designed to start conversations, encourage churches, and remind missionaries that they are not alone. Whether you are a pastor, missionary, missions leader, or someone who cares deeply about world evangelism, this discussion will help you think biblically and practically about caring for those God has sent.

📌 This is the first step in rolling out a broader member care initiative—more resources and specifics will be shared in the future.

👉 Listen in, be encouraged, and join us as we work together to strengthen those serving on the mission field.

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Quotes from this episode about Member Care

“When we talk about member care, it’s more than financial support and prayer support—missionaries face challenges that require intentional care.”

“Think in terms of the military: missionaries are on the front lines.”

“Member care has three legs: the sending church, the mission organization, and the missionary themselves.”

“Member care is the intentional provision of spiritual, emotional, relational, and practical support for missionaries throughout all stages of their service.”

“Missionaries don’t come from colleges or conferences or denominations—they come from local churches.”

“VBM exists to partner with the local church—to go alongside and help.”

“Nobody needs to fall through the cracks.”

“Not every church has the same resources, and not every missionary is in the same life stage—have a plan, but be willing to adapt.”

“There’s no perfect church, but God made you the church that missionary was sent from.”

“It always feels good to know somebody’s praying for you—so let the missionary know.”

“Rather than comparing what your church does, focus on what your church does do—and be grateful for it.”

#MissionaryCare #MemberCare #Missions #ChurchPlanting #SendingChurch #MissionOrganization #MissionLife #VisionBaptistMissions