Missionary Kids (MKs) just might be the most undervalued and underestimated people in the mission field.

Here’s what I mean:

Most MKs’ lives are dramatically impacted by their parents’ decision to answer the Lord’s calling. Many are moved far from family, surrounded by a new language, and forced to give up comforts they may have had at home. For those who are born on the field, they too miss birthdays, holidays, and everyday moments with extended family.

At first glance, this may not seem all that unique; plenty of families live far away from grandparents and relatives. But for MKs, that distance is paired with navigating a culture that is neither their parents’ nor their own. They are learning life in a culture different from the one their parents were raised in, while also being shaped by the values and traditions their parents bring with them. They work hard to grow, adapt, and fit into the community around them, all while being influenced by two different worlds.

I say this not to push back against missionary parents, nor to suggest that people should feel sorry for MKs. Instead, I say this so that, as fellow believers, we may support and encourage them throughout their childhood. Lord willing, through this blog, you’ll see the significant role that MKs play in their parents’ Kingdom work.

Natural Door-Openers for the Gospel

One reason MKs deserve that encouragement is because they contribute far more to the work of missions than we often realize.

For a missionary parent who has spent twenty or thirty years being raised in one culture, moving to a new country often means relearning much of what they know. In contrast, the MK is embracing change and absorbing new information naturally as they grow up in this cross-cultural environment. This is exactly why MKs are invaluable to their parents’ mission efforts: children open doors to so many gospel opportunities.

Consider these examples:

  • In the School: If an MK is enrolled in a local school, their parents have now met new teachers who interact with the missionary family five days a week. They watch how the family loves one another, how the parents discipline their child, how they respond to frustration, and how they treat others. The family has the opportunity to be a witness not only through what they say, but through how they live.
  • In the Community: Since MKs are just like every other child, they make friends at school and on the playground. Next thing you know, the MK is going on playdates, and the missionary mom is exchanging phone numbers with other parents.

Between birthday parties, conversations during school pickup, and random interactions with the grocery store cashier, children provide countless opportunities for their parents to build relationships in a new community.

Bridging Gaps with Awkward Grace

Children have a knack for saying what they think, trying new things, and embracing the awkwardness of language learning. They are eager to try, quick to make friends, and wonderfully unashamed in their efforts.

Recently, during my summer internship, I had the privilege of watching two kids play together who did not speak the same language. I was amazed by how much more goes into communication than just words. The MK played with his friends even though, more often than not, they didn’t have the words to communicate. What might have deterred an adult for fear of miscommunication or awkward silence did not seem to faze a child who simply wanted to play.

Obviously, this looks a little different depending on the cultural setting. However, the theme remains the same: children bridge gaps that adults would find incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to cross.

From Evangelism to Discipleship

The role of MKs doesn’t stop at evangelism; it continues into discipleship.

What greater way to disciple new believers and young families than by modeling a Christ-centered home? Missionary parents have the opportunity to demonstrate what biblical parenting, loving discipline, forgiveness, hospitality, and family life look like. Their children have a key role in that testimony. MKs offer their parents the opportunity to train and encourage others simply by living ordinary family life alongside their fellow believers.

Valued by God

Let me be clear: I do not think MKs are simply a commodity to aid in their parents’ ministry, nor is that what makes them valuable.

Children are valuable because they bear the image of God. Scripture calls them blessings from the Lord, fearfully and wonderfully made. They are not important merely because of what they contribute to ministry; they are important because God says they are.

Missionary Kids are important simply because they are kids. They are resilient, energetic, dynamic, inquisitive little humans living in a cross-cultural environment. Whether they realize it or not, God often uses them to open doors their parents may never have been able to open on their own. Through ordinary things like school, friendships, birthday parties, and playground conversations, they become part of God’s work among the nations.

While they may not have been able to choose the mission field for themselves, the Lord is glorified in using them there. He sees them as precious, and so should we!