By Holly Meriweather

“Our prayer is that we can encourage and strengthen missionaries so they can spread the gospel as effectively as possible, to as many as possible, for as long as possible.”

Former International Director (and Missionary Care Director) Jerry Kidd established the BMA’s missionary care initiative years ago and has a great love for missionaries and their unique needs while on the field. During his time leading missionary care, he organized regional conferences, which involved a great deal of planning and outside support, but these conferences were so beneficial for our missionaries. 

Brother Jerry has always dreamed of a global conference for all our missionaries. That goal will become a reality April 2023 as missionaries from around the world plan to come to the U.S. for the BMA National Meeting and Global Care Conference to follow. 

Current Missionary Care Director Jonathan Montgomery has a passion for ministering to our missionaries so they can minister to others. He says, “You cannot pump water from a dry well, so our Global Care Conference aims to pour into our missionaries and their families and replenish their spiritual, mental, and emotional needs so they can return to their fields with a stronger passion for making disciples and planting churches.”

After the 2016 Asia-Pacific Care Conference, one missionary said that the conference came “just at the right time” for him and his family. He explained, “We were physically exhausted, spiritually down, and feeling all alone in ministry. The messages were encouraging, the songs were inspiring, and the fellowship with the other missionaries was exactly what we needed.” 

Studies show that 70 percent of missionaries leave the field earlier than planned and for reasons that could have been prevented had there been adequate support and care while serving. Burnout is one key reason missionaries leave the field early, but if provided an opportunity to connect with their peers, there is mutual encouragement, immediate connection, and beneficial fellowship.

Our goal is to give every BMA Missionary the opportunity to attend this global conference by covering every missionary family’s expenses for this conference through donations, which will ensure that every BMA Missionary has an opportunity to attend. Expenses include international airfare, lodging, and meals.

Breakdown of expenses:

Average Meals – $150

Average Lodging – $500

Average Airfare – $1,250

Expenses per family:

Individual – $2,000

Couple – $3,500

Family of Four – $6,000

Overall estimated cost: $250,000We ask that you consider supporting this ministry and help cover the cost for our missionaries to attend this conference. If you would like to donate to this ministry, please visit bmamissions.org or mail checks to BMA Missions, P.O. Box 878, Conway, AR 72033, and in the memo line write “missionary care.”