How Supporting Missionaries From Home Actually Works on the Field

I remember a Sunday morning in a village near Kumasi, Ghana. The air was thick with the smell of woodsmoke and damp earth, and the sound of our singing mingled with the distant bleating of goats. A young man named Kofi, who had only recently trusted Christ as his Saviour, stood up to give his testimony. He spoke in Twi, but I caught the joy in his voice, the way his eyes shone when he talked about the peace God had given him. That moment, the harvest of a soul, reminded me of the vital work of supporting missionaries from home.

My wife Laura and I have been on the field in Ghana for years, planting churches and sharing the Gospel. We see God work in incredible ways. But the truth is, none of it happens in a vacuum. Every baptism, every new convert, every Bible study under a mango tree is a testament to God’s grace and the faithful partnership of believers back home.

The Invisible Hands That Hold Us Up

When you’re out here in West Africa, the challenges are real. They aren’t always dramatic, but they are constant. Sometimes it’s a flat tire on a bush road, miles from anywhere. Sometimes it’s a stomach bug that lays you low for days. Often, it’s the slow, steady grind of language learning, cultural adaptation, and spiritual warfare. There are no applause lines out here. There is only the work.

That work is only possible because of our senders. You, our friends, our family, our home church, are the ones who make it all happen. You are the invisible hands that hold us up, the ones who pray, who give, and who care. We couldn’t do this without you. If you’re looking for ways to get involved in what God is doing here, I encourage you to check out our Connect page. It lays out some simple, powerful ways you can partner with us.

The mission field clarifies things quickly. It removes the padding. There are no stage lights and no weekly affirmation that you are doing well. There is only the work. You study again. You visit again. You preach again. You forgive again. You trust God again. The mission field does not reward drama. It rewards endurance.

Prayer: The True Lifeline

If I could ask for only one thing from those supporting missionaries from home, it would be prayer. Nothing is more critical. We can have all the resources in the world, but without God’s power, it’s just human effort. And human effort, on its own, doesn’t change hearts. Only God does that.

I remember one time when Laura was really sick, down with malaria. We were alone in our village house. I was trying to care for her, keep the kids calm, and still prepare for Sunday service. I felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, and honestly, a little scared. I prayed, of course, but I also knew that many of you were praying for us back home. The peace that settled over our home that week was tangible. Laura started to recover, and I managed to preach the Gospel without falling apart. That was not a coincidence. That was prayer.

The Bible tells us, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That verse isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a command, and it’s a promise. When you pray for us, you are engaging in spiritual warfare on our behalf. You are asking God to open doors, to protect us, to give us wisdom, and to soften hearts to the Gospel. We feel those prayers. We really do. They are the true lifeline.

Financial Partnership: More Than Just Money

Let’s be plain: missions cost money. Travel, housing, food, ministry materials, medical needs, schooling for the kids – it all adds up. When you give financially to our ministry, you are not just sending money; you are sending the Gospel. You are providing the means for someone in Ghana to hear about Jesus for the very first time. You are helping to build a church building where believers can worship. You are literally funding the Great Commission.

We’ve seen how crucial this partnership is. A few years ago, we needed to buy a new vehicle. Our old one had finally given up the ghost after years of navigating rough Ghanaian roads. I remember looking at that broken-down truck and just sighing. I looked at my wife and asked if we had made a wrong turn and wound up in a junkyard. We didn’t have the funds immediately available. But we shared the need with our supporters, and God moved. Within a few weeks, the funds came in, and we were able to purchase a dependable pickup. That truck isn’t just a vehicle; it’s our mobile church, our supply transport, and our emergency ride.

“Globally, 3.23 billion people still live in places with limited access to the Gospel.”
International Mission Board

Your giving is an act of worship. It’s an investment in eternity. And it’s a direct answer to the command in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” You might not be able to physically “go,” but your financial support ensures that we can. It’s a partnership where everyone plays a vital role in reaching those who have never heard. We also offer some unique insights into the realities of mission life in my book, “That’s My Goat!”, which you might find encouraging.

Practical Care: Easing the Burden

Beyond prayer and finances, there are many practical ways of supporting missionaries from home that make a huge difference. Sometimes it’s a simple email or a letter. Just knowing that someone is thinking of you, remembering you, can lift your spirits on a tough day. Laura loves getting notes from the ladies back home, little updates on their lives. It helps her feel connected, even when we’re thousands of miles away.

Other times, it’s more specific. Maybe it’s helping us manage mail or bills back in the States. Maybe it’s sending a care package with some favorite American snacks or supplies that are hard to get in Ghana. We appreciate all of it. One time, my home church sent a box of specific spare parts for our generator. I may have praised the Lord loud enough for the whole village to hear when that package arrived. That generator keeps our lights on and our water pump running. It’s not a luxury; it’s ministry infrastructure.

In fact, the Apostle Paul spoke about this kind of practical partnership. In Philippians 4:16, he said, “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” He wasn’t too proud to acknowledge their practical help. It’s a powerful thing when believers back home take on some of the logistical burdens, freeing us up to focus on the spiritual work.

Why Your Role Matters: The Eternal Return

Sometimes, I think people back home might underestimate their impact. They might think, “I’m just one person. What can I really do?” But let me tell you, every single prayer, every dollar given, every encouraging word, it all adds up. It forms a safety net, a supply line, and a spiritual force field around us.

The harvest in Ghana is plentiful, but the laborers are few. We are out here, on the front lines, doing what God has called us to do. But you, our senders, are just as much a part of that call. You are fulfilling the command of Christ by enabling others to go. Your partnership isn’t just a helpful addition to our ministry; it’s an essential component. Without you, we simply couldn’t be here.

The joy we see on the faces of new believers, the excitement in a new church plant, the transformation in lives touched by the Gospel – that’s your joy too. You are a part of that eternal return. You’ll share in the reward, because you were faithful in supporting missionaries from home. That’s a truth I believe with all my heart, and it’s what keeps us going, knowing we’re not alone in this fight.

We are just regular folks, called by God, doing our best to serve Him here in Ghana. We’ve seen God do amazing things, but we’ve also learned a lot of lessons the hard way. One of the clearest lessons is that missions is a team sport. It’s a partnership between those who go and those who send. If you’ve been wondering how you can play a part in fulfilling the Great Commission, I’d urge you to visit our Connect page. You’ll find practical ways to join our team and make an eternal difference right from where you are.

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