ServantCARE
189 Stackrock Drive
Ellijay, GA 30540

June 18, 1999

Dear Fellow Christian,

Thousands of miles from home, I listened as a faithful missionary poured out her heart. For three decades, she and her husband had devoted their time and energy to sharing the Gospel in their field. Their ministry literally touched the nation. But, she confided, they now faced the failing health of her husband, no retirement money, no home, and the fact that hardly anyone in their sending church even remembered them. Where, she asked, would they spend their last years, and how would their needs be met?

In another country, a young missionary couple told of increasing stress in their relationship. Passionate about sharing the Gospel, they had forsaken all without thought for the future. Then a child had come, her ministry time was increasingly limited, and they were unsure how to balance faith and responsibility. She saw his focus on the vibrant ministry as an irresponsible lack of concern for their future. And, he confided, he viewed her concern for home, family, and provision as a lack of faith.

These are real situations, drawn from my personal experience. In addition to these “normal” struggles, there are sometimes failed marriages and broken families, interpersonal conflicts, and struggles in ministry-yes, even among missionaries. There may be physical exhaustion and burn-out. And in some locations, there is government interference or the ravages of war, rape, and pillage all around.

Missionaries are the front line soldiers in God’s army. And, like soldiers in the trenches, they face unique difficulties and have unique needs. They are often isolated; far from family, friends, and church. They have few materials for encouragement, growth, and personal study. They are usually misunderstood by the community in which they live (and all too often by the culture they’ve left, as well). And they are without the casual fellowship and comfortable culture you and I enjoy.

I’ve had the privilege of ministering in a number of countries in Latin America and Europe, as well as in several areas of our own country. I have never heard a missionary say, “I don’t need training, encouragement, and fellowship.” Rather, I am warmly greeted, practical instruction is always welcomed, concern and assistance is eagerly accepted, and-in the context of a growing relationship of trust-genuine needs, concerns, and burdens are shared and met in a Biblical manner.

As a pastor, I’ve had the joy of seeing people under my ministry respond to God’s call for career missionary service. On missionary journeys, I’ve seen the impact of missions in the lives of the missionaries and those to whom they minister. As a director of staff development of a short-term mission agency, I’ve dealt with the pressures and burdens of career missionaries. And, because I’m an attorney, I’ve been involved in offering ethical and legal counsel to missionaries struggling with difficult issues in different cultures.

My particular gifts, background and experience, and my call and passion have led me to start ServantCARE. As I approach 50 years of age (still a little over a year away!), I am determined to focus even more on how I can make a difference in our world. I believe this is what God has called me to do, and that He will honor it as I give it my best years. Please understand that this is a ministry to missionaries, rather than another sending agency. The enclosed brochure-actually just a draft-will explain in more detail what I’ve seen the needs of missionaries to be, and how ServantCARE can minister directly to those needs.

I’m writing this rather unusual letter to you, because even as I begin ServantCARE, I will be out of the country much of the summer doing the “missions stuff.” But while I’m away, I want to ask you to pray about partnering with me in the ministry of ServantCARE. As outlined in the brochure, there are a number of ways you can be a part of this ministry and offer genuine hope and encouragement to missionaries.

First, as a financial partner, you can help me and other qualified trainers go to the missionaries and offer counsel, training, encouragement, and fellowship. Money is also needed for an internet site for the ministry (the domain servantcare.org is already registered), where individuals can see the housing, vehicle, and travel needs of missionaries; and missionaries in turn can see where housing or vehicles are available. (This will all be anonymous, requiring application and screening through ServantCARE before the parties are connected.) Also, as the Lord provides, ServantCARE will establish an actual retreat center for arriving and departing missionaries, where they can receive necessary R&R after extensive travel, refreshing through ministry and training sessions, and have free (to them) housing while in transition. Funds are needed immediately for legal and administrative fees, printing and mailing, travel, and web hosting.

Secondly, if you have a car, house, spare room, mountain retreat, finished basement, or time share that you would make available to missionaries on a short term basis at little or no cost, that would be a help. My commitment will be to screen all applicants, verify their ministry and integrity, and assure you that your property will be cared for and appreciated.

Third, I am seeking pastors and other leaders to visit missionaries, to teach seminars, and provide counseling. Please help me by sharing this letter and the enclosed brochure with your pastor, and urging him to get involved.

Last December, I attended a gathering of men and women from around the world who are involved in this relatively new area of ministry-“pastoring” missionaries. That gathering of just over 100 participants included the leaders in this field from several agencies and ministries. Though more and more ministries are recognizing this tremendous need, there are very few people involved. I came away from that conference with an even greater burden to do something

When you receive this mailing, I’ll actually be in Romania-doing precisely the things I’m writing you about. There, I’ll be helping a mission get its administrative affairs in order, suggesting ways to enlarge and enhance the ministry, offering encouragement, and reporting back to the missionary’s local church and supporters. I’ll be at home 1 day, then go to Jamaica to lead a project for Adventures In Missions, for whom I served as Director of Staff Development. I’ll also be in Venezuela in mid-August and again in October.

A couple of weeks ago, I sent an earlier draft of the ServantCARE brochure to my friend, Seth Barnes, Director of Adventures In Missions, and asked his comments. Here is a portion of his response:

Mike,

Got your packet of stuff today. Bravo! I thought that, most importantly, the kinds of partnerships you are looking for are the kind that people will be willing to engage in, and the kind that have the potential to make a difference. ...

The ministries that you've positioned ServantCare to deliver are much needed. I believe that your experience will position you to help missionaries who often feel lonely and isolated. You can use your skills and experience to make a difference for the Great Commission. I have always felt that missions agencies need to do a better job of caring for their missionaries and that God had called you to come alongside them.

I teach a seminar on Biblical Principles of Support Raising to missionaries, and I know I’m not following my own instruction in several respects in this mailing. The letter’s too long, I haven’t personally called you, the brochure has few graphics. But I wanted to ask you to be praying about this with me while I’m away. And, if you believe God would have you partner with me in this ministry as a regular prayer partner, financially, physically as a co-laborer (going to teach and encourage or coming to build), or as a provider of housing or vehicles, please tell me how you will be involved.

I will be in touch with you at the end of the summer. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing from you.

To care for those who serve,
Michael G. Parham