Tom and Barbara

For years, Pastor Tom Perry* had encouraged his congregation to consider serving in missions. But it wasn’t until his church’s missions emphasis month in 2010 that a thought came to him: “It would be hypocritical if I don’t seriously consider missions service myself.” He and his wife, Barbara*, were now empty nesters, and they began wondering if God wanted them to serve in another way.

Tom and Barbara decided to explore the possibilities. Because his background was in theological education, Tom contacted various mission agencies, colleges, and seminaries to see how he could be used to train men for ministry. God directed the Perrys to BMM’s Pastoral Enrichment Program (PEP) in 2013. Tom now travels globally providing Bible-college-level training in developing nations.

Tom and Barbara are just two of many who have followed God from the pastorate into missions. The benefit of these pastors-turned-missionaries is obvious. They’ve already surmounted the learning curves and adjustments that every new minister must face. They enter missions as well-trained, seasoned servants with a good handle on how to teach and shepherd flocks. In this way, they share North America’s spiritual “riches” with parts of the world that have little or no access to the gospel, biblical discipleship, or theological training. 

*pseudonyms

Herb and Janet

South Africa missionaries Herb and Janet Hunter previously served 14 years at Fundamental Baptist Church in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, where Herb was senior pastor. The pastoral ministry taught the Hunters longsuffering, endurance, and how to love people—skills all the more valuable in missional settings that add the unique stressors of cultural, economic, and spiritual differences. “The understanding and application of truth is different in South Africa than it was in North America,” says Herb, “but everything we used to do in North America we still do, only now with a different cultural/linguistic context.” Their current ministry focuses on church planting and includes teaching, modeling the Christian life, and biblical counseling. On top of this, they helped to start and lead a theological education institute.

Jonathan and Clarinda

What would take a pastor and pastor’s wife from a deeply satisfying ministry into the unknowns of missions? The answer is a sold-out dedication to follow their Redeemer wherever He leads. Jonathan and Clarinda Halk absolutely loved their ministry at Dimond Blvd. Baptist Church in Anchorage, Alaska, where Jonathan was assistant pastor. They had led short-term evangelistic trips to remote Alaskan villages but thought that was the extent of their missions calling. They anticipated serving at Dimond Blvd. for the rest of their lives, but when missionary appointees to Zambia came to speak at their church, Jonathan and Clarinda couldn’t get Zambia out of their minds.

Everything about the ministry fit them. In Alaska, Jonathan taught leaders—something needed in Zambia. His mechanical skills and Clarinda’s giftedness in sewing and crafts were also ministry tools they could use in a developing nation like Zambia. Jonathan says, “The struggles and situations are light years apart from those in America, but people are the same at the core. The gospel clearly proclaimed is the number one need in any culture.”

Mark and Linda

In 2019 Mark and Linda Henderson* marked their 20th year in the pastorate at a church in Missouri. For years, Mark had taught Greek and Hebrew at his church’s seminary. It was a labor of love—he enjoyed studying biblical languages so much that he would have done it as a hobby.

He was passionate about missions too. On the opening night of his church’s 2019 mission conference, Mark prayed, “Lord, please send someone from our church into missions,” never realizing he would be the answer to his own prayer! The conference showed the Hendersons how God could use Mark’s love for biblical languages at Bibles International (BI), BMM’s Bible society. Today, Mark serves as a Bible translation consultant helping to get God’s Word into the hands of African tribal groups.

Beyond his translation work, Mark uses his pastoral heart to help the people among whom he works. During his time in Ghana last summer, seven local high schoolers tragically drowned after their canoe capsized. Mark used God’s Word to comfort the students’ traumatized classmates. In other missions settings, Mark has been a relationship healer. “Serving alongside others never happens without some friction,” says Mark. “For those living on mission fields, challenges can be like minefields. In these cultures, it is never more important to choose ‘a word fitly spoken’ and to offer a ‘soft answer’.”

*pseudnoyms

What are the greatest joys of expanding pastoral ministry into parts of the world that desperately need it? As with the other pastor-missionaries, Jonathan Halk values the support of his wife, Clarinda, and how they serve side by side. They say, “Seeing the simple gospel understood for the first time is a blessing unexplainable.” The joy of fruitful ministry likewise makes Tom Perry willing to endure long overseas flights in economy seating, 15-hour bus rides, and climates that reach 120°F. He says, “Investing in men and women who will advance the cause of Christ in their cities, towns, and villages makes those other things mere inconveniences.”

Pastors have much to offer toward the cause of missions, both in full-time service and through the flexibility of BMM’s Global Fit service option. The need for their skill and experience is limitless on mission fields around the world. Tom likes to throw in a humorous plug for new PEP workers, but it fits any missions ministry: “For those pastors experiencing a midlife crisis, don’t buy a Corvette. Join PEP!”

To explore how your pastoral skills can be used in missions, contact Travis Gravley at tgravley@bmm.org