Opinion/Resources/Teen Perspective 

By Teen Opinion Contributor Maggie Verdught

Photo: Deposit

How can the body of Christ best support missionaries and their families? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a missionary? Look no further for answers!

I’m excited to share this interview-style article with you, as the topic has been on my heart for a while now. I met Abigail last year, in August of 2023. She had been a missionary kid her entire life (almost 14 years at that point) in Central Africa. Anyone who knows me well enough understands that I love learning about different cultures – I always have. So, I was naturally curious and intrigued by Abigail. I got to know her better throughout the course of the school year, as we attend the same public school.

I have come to greatly appreciate our friendship. Of course, Abigail is much more than just her past, but I also recognize that her past has shaped her into who she is. That is true of all of us. It is particularly interesting, however, when one’s past is shaped by an experience so unique as being a missionary kid. That is why I asked Abigail if she would take the time to answer some of my questions.

I believe that the answers Abigail gives are compelling and inspiring, and directly applicable to families and churches. My hope is that you would learn something and be inspired to share what you have learned with others. 

What are some benefits and positives to growing up as a missionary kid?

A: You get to travel the world and have experiences that a lot of people don’t get to have.

What are some downsides and negatives to growing up as a missionary kid?

A: Nowhere and everywhere are home. You have two “homes”- America and another country. 

How has your unique experience shaped your opinions on the mission field, and missionary kids?

A: It showed me how strong and resilient missionary kids have to be, but it also showed me that we don’t always enjoy it. It showed me how difficult the mission field can be for missionary kids.

What are some things the church is doing well in supporting missionary families, and should continue doing?

A: Praying for them and supporting them.

What are some things the church could be doing better, to best support missionary families?

A: For the whole family, don’t make us feel like we are weird for growing up somewhere else. Some churches do and some don’t. For the children, realize how hard it is and that it wasn’t always a choice. Also realize that we are separate from the mission, and we have our own experiences and hardships. Lastly, people act like we are good at adapting. A lot of us are not; it is a facade. We pretend that we are good at it and that it doesn’t hurt us a lot to move around and get used to doing it.

Takeaways to wrap it all up

Maggie: One of the things I’ve learned from Abigail over the past year is that struggles are inevitable. Especially as a missionary kid; there are difficult emotional challenges that must be addressed somehow. Abigail inspires me because of her resilience and determination to work through those challenges, even when it’s uncomfortable. She has also taught me that a “third-culture kid” and a “missionary kid” are NOT the same! (Abigail considers herself to be both.) Here is the complicated definition, found through this link. 

Another important thing to consider is this: Some, but definitely not all missionary kids want to be or are treated like missionaries. Sometimes it seems like because they are children of missionaries, they are obligated to be missionaries in the future, or feel called to the mission field. In fact, a lot of MKs feel like they do not want to become missionaries because of difficulties they have faced; they do not want to go through that again.

What does all of this mean for the church, and how should we respond? Well, Abigail mentioned a few things in her last response. My main takeaway from that is this: As the body of Christ, supporting one another goes even beyond financial and prayerful support. We must learn from one another, with a humble, generous attitude and posture, seeking to serve. In fact, this is exactly what Jesus did! May we strive to be more like him in all that we do and say. 

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

1 John 3:18 

Little children, let us not love not in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

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The opinions in this article are specific to its author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire Counter Culture Mom team. 

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Maggie VerDught is a high school student who enjoys learning about culture, news, and politics.

She is passionate about sharing the truth, especially with her generation. Maggie loves to run, read, and write poetry in her spare time.

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