Care for the Called

The application and assessment process is intended to identify both strengths and weaknesses. The goal is not simply to determine whether someone is suitable for missionary service, but also to understand what support they may need to thrive.

In that sense, even saying "no" to a candidate can be an act of care. The assessment establishes a baseline for who a person is, including their strengths, weaknesses, health, theological understanding, and psychological well-being. It helps answer the question, "What does this person stand on?"

Once that baseline is established, future changes can be monitored. If significant changes appear over time, they may indicate that additional care is needed.

Workers revisit many of these areas through follow-up assignments and reviews to ensure they are still doing well. When concerns emerge, additional counseling or assessment may be recommended.

If there are notable changes from the original psychological profile, this may trigger further investigation. A range of resources can be involved, including debriefing processes, professional counsellors, psychologists, and other specialists.

SIM has long relied on organizations such as the Missionary Health Institute for assessments and health checks, using their services for approximately 30 to 40 years. Psychologists are often involved in this process. Additional counsellors are also available, including some in Alberta.

SIM International also has access to specialists who can provide support when needed. These specialists may be sent to particular ministry units to help workers facing significant challenges. Depending on context, certain assessments are required every one to four years.

Most meaningful member care is built on relationships. Deep care requires trust, intimacy, and a sense of security. People may find it difficult to share their stories unless they know they are genuinely cared for.

Often, care begins by taking the initiative to spend time with people. Visiting missionaries in their homes or ministry settings creates a more personal connection. After such visits, conversations and emails often become much deeper and more honest.

Typically, a field visit may occur once every three years. However, the question then becomes: what happens during the three years between visits? Much of member care exists in that space. Regular communication, ideally every three months, helps maintain connection and support.

In 1999, member care was very limited. There was no dedicated care for Third Culture Kids (TCKs), retirees, or proactive member care initiatives. Over time, member care expanded significantly. Care providers began traveling to visit missionaries on the field.

One early example involved a visit to South America, where spending several days with a missionary created the opportunity for much deeper conversations than would otherwise have been possible.

Additional care ministries gradually emerged:
• TCK care was established.
• Dedicated retiree care was developed.
• Proactive approaches to member care increased.
• Plans such as "Stronger Together" were introduced, though their effectiveness varies depending on participant engagement.

These developments reflect changing realities and evolving needs within the missionary community.

Missionary service is demanding work. People will experience hardship, loss, disappointment, and stress. At some point, most missionaries will be hurt and will need care.

A strong care system communicates that missionaries are not alone. It ensures they know where they can turn when difficulties arise and reminds them that there are people willing to walk with them through hidden struggles or challenges they may not otherwise share.

Several stories illustrate the impact of member care:

• Support provided to individuals following the loss of a spouse.
• Care offered to families after the loss of a child while serving overseas.
• Medical care and evacuation assistance that enabled missionaries to recover and remain on the field longer than they otherwise could have.
• Retiree care during major family crises, including the loss of an adult child.

These examples demonstrate how practical, emotional, and spiritual support can sustain missionaries and their families during some of their most difficult experiences.

Member care extends beyond emotional and spiritual support.

Examples include:
• Psychological assessments and counselling.
• Medical support and evacuation when necessary.
• Insurance programs for workers serving overseas, funded through monthly premiums.
• Health pool funds that help cover medical care that might otherwise go unseen or unsupported.

In some cases, assessment costs are covered through missionaries' personal ministry accounts rather than SIM Canada's general budget.

Potentially, but it depends on both the visitor and the purpose of the visit.

For example, there may be value in having specific people connect regularly with particular groups:
• One person connecting with single women.
• Another connecting with men.
• Another connecting with couples.

The greatest benefit is not necessarily the visit itself but the message it communicates: "You are cared for." Regular contact helps missionaries know who they can reach out to when problems arise and reassures them that even hidden areas of life can be discussed safely.

One challenge is capacity. In some regions, responsibility for member care rests largely on a single individual. Having additional personnel involved would distribute the workload and significantly strengthen the support available to missionaries.

As missionary needs become increasingly complex, expanding the member care team remains an important opportunity for future growth.