By Nate Maxwell, Missions Director, Slater Baptist Church
At Slater Baptist Church, we’ve always had a heart for missions. But for a long time, we struggled to focus that passion into meaningful connection with the missionaries we supported. Over the past five years, we’ve taken intentional steps to change how we “do missions,” not only in name, but also in practice.
I share our journey as encouragement. If your church is feeling disconnected from its missionaries, you’re not alone—and it’s never too late to shift direction. With a little clarity and consistency, God can use even small changes to create deep, lasting impact.
Whether you’re a deacon, a director, a pastor, or a parishioner, I hope these insights into how we’ve sought to grow the sense of partnership and relationship with our missionary partners will be a guide for you.
Build a Culture of Communication
Our first priority was simple: increase regular communication between missionaries and our church body.
I began personally reaching out to each missionary we supported and requesting an update once per quarter. I made it clear that it didn’t need to be formal—just a snapshot of how we could be praying and what God was doing in their ministry.
Then, during our Sunday morning services, I started highlighting one missionary every second and fourth Sunday. I’d take just five minutes to share key points from their most recent update and lead our church in prayer for them.
These two rhythms created healthy expectations: our missionaries grew more consistent in updating us, and our church began to regularly engage with their stories. Missions wasn’t something we just funded anymore—it was something we felt part of because it was built into the rhythm of our church.
Change the Language
We also started being intentional with the way we talked about missions.
Instead of saying, “these are the missionaries we support,” we started using the phrase “partners in ministry.” That subtle shift reminded us, and our congregation, that this isn’t just a financial transaction. It’s a gospel partnership.
Yes, giving matters. But without relational and spiritual connection, our support loses its heart. The way we speak about missions should reflect the type of relationship we want to have—they’re our teammates, co-laborers, and fellow servants of Christ, so it’s important to speak of them in those terms.
Clarify the Process
One unexpected barrier to deeper missionary engagement was our lack of structure. We didn’t have an official process for adding new missionaries, handling retirement, or reviewing support. It may have felt flexible, but in practice, it created gaps. We went long stretches without updates, or weren’t aware when a missionary had changed fields.
So, we implemented a simple application process and retirement policy. The application asks about their ministry, sets expectations for communication, and outlines communication plans for retirement. It also clarifies that if they switch fields or roles, we’d like them to visit SBC and re-apply for support.
This added accountability has been received positively by our missionaries. It communicates, “We care about what you’re doing. We want to stay connected.”
Start Two-Way Communication
Recently, we have launched two new initiatives: connection partners and a missions newsletter.
Connection Partners
We invited church members to “adopt” one or more of our missionaries for the year. These volunteers reach out personally, reply to updates, ask follow-up questions, and get to know our missionaries as real people.
If a missionary is visiting SBC, we make sure their connection partner knows ahead of time, so they can plan to meet in person. It’s not a perfect system, but even in its first year, the encouragement it’s brought to both our church members and our missionaries has been well worth the effort.
Missions Newsletter
We realized communication had been mostly one-way: missionaries telling us what they’re doing. We wanted to return the favor.
So we started a newsletter that gives our missionaries updates from SBC: ministry highlights, our sermon series, and snapshots of church life. Our first edition went out in May, and while we hope to move toward a quarterly rhythm in 2026, we’re excited to offer a new way for our partners in ministry to feel connected with our church.
Don’t Do It Alone
When I first became our deacon of missions, I had no idea where to start. So I asked for help. I tapped into our church family, gathered ideas, and started researching what others were doing.
One member handed me a binder from a church in another state—dated from the 1970s! That binder sparked the idea for our connection partners. Later, I reached out to other pastors and missions leaders. Those conversations helped us shape the newsletter and refine our process.
The point is this: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. God has given us the global Church—and within it, a wealth of wisdom and experience. Learn from others. Collaborate. Keep things fresh while staying grounded.
Final Thoughts
The work of missions can sometimes feel slow or distant, like something happening outside the life of your church, but it really doesn’t have to be that way. Missions is God’s work. When it’s done with purpose and relationship, it becomes one of the most life-giving aspects of your church’s ministry.
At Slater Baptist, we’re still learning. We’re constantly evaluating what we’re doing and why—making sure Christ stays at the center. But I can say this: moving from support to partnership has changed our church. It’s drawn us closer to our missionaries, to each other, and to the mission God has given us.
So if you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, start with one small change. Ask one missionary for an update. Share their story on a Sunday. Invite someone to be a connection partner.
And trust that God will bless your desire to honor Him through missions.
Baptist Church Planters exists to help churches build healthy disciple-making congregations. If you or your church are ready to grow in godliness and leadership, reach out to us today. Let’s partner together to make disciples who make disciples.
