April 2026 Update
Preventing Missionary Attrition – This semester at the Vision School of Missions, we are studying why missionaries leave the field prematurely or for avoidable reasons (“preventable missionary attrition”). One study found that 7 out of 10 career missionaries who leave the field do so for preventable reasons. In addition, the study concluded:
“Avoidable [missionary] attrition will be minimized to the extent that we properly choose, train, send, pastor, and supervise our missionaries.”1
The training and sending programs of Vision Baptist Missions are designed to help local churches prepare and send their missionaries well. Thank you for praying for us as we help run these programs at VBM, and thank you for faithfully praying and supporting your missionaries as they seek to remain steadfast through the rigors of missionary service.
Missionary Coaching Calls – This year, to help encourage and equip our missionaries, we have begun monthly “coaching calls.” These online sessions include teaching from veteran missionaries and pastors on practical topics. Recent sessions have included:
- Raising Children Overseas (Bryan Stensaas)
- Dealing with Unmet Expectations (Rick Finley)
- Next Steps in Church Planting (Mark Holmes)
These calls have been especially helpful for missionaries in the early stages of ministry. Please pray that these calls would continue to strengthen and encourage them.
Spring Blessings – The Lord has been good to us this spring. We’re thankful for:
- Profitable Pastoral Advisory and Board meetings, along with a clean audit report
- Preview Day and Missions Rally with several young people expressing a desire to be missionaries
- Annual Student & Missionary Orientation with nearly 100 in attendance
- Annual leadership intensive with our field directors who were stateside
Internships – Six of our students are preparing to leave for their six-month internships, the final phase of their bachelor’s degree training. These internships provide valuable, hands-on ministry experience. Please pray for:
- Jakeb and Damaris Alma (Argentina)
- Luke and Adri Coffey (Colombia)
- Sarah Garner (Taiwan)
- Our son Grant (Burkina Faso)
Pray for their safety, spiritual growth, and financial provision as they raise support.
Thank you so much for your faithful partnership in the gospel. We are very grateful for your prayers and support.
- Taylor, W. D. (1997). Too Valuable to Lose: Exploring the Causes and Cures of Missionary Attrition (p. 25). William Carey Library. ↩︎