Church Hosting Guide
A practical guide to welcoming missionary candidates, making their visit meaningful, and building lasting partnerships in the Great Commission.
Why Host Missionaries?
"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace." — Romans 10:15
Hosting missionary candidates gives your congregation a front-row seat to what God is doing around the world. It inspires your people, educates your children, and strengthens your church's commitment to the Great Commission.
When a church regularly hears from missionaries, it develops a missions-minded culture. Your members begin to pray more specifically, give more generously, and even consider whether God might be calling them to serve.
Preparing for the Visit
A little preparation goes a long way in making a missionary's visit productive and encouraging. Clear communication before the visit helps everyone know what to expect.
Checklist
- Confirm the date, time, and format (preaching, presentation, missions moment)
- Ask the missionary what equipment they need (projector, screen, table for display)
- Arrange lodging — a church member's home, hotel, or parsonage guest room
- Plan meals — invite them to lunch or dinner with church families
- Promote the visit to your congregation ahead of time
- Prepare a love offering or honorarium
- Assign someone to greet and host them upon arrival
- If they have a family, plan something for the children
Communication Tips
Good communication before, during, and after the visit makes a missionary feel valued and respected. Respond to their initial outreach promptly, even if it's just to say you need time to check the calendar.
Be upfront about your church's missions process. If you need deacon or committee approval before taking on new missionaries, let them know the timeline. Missionaries appreciate honesty far more than being left wondering.
Checklist
- Respond to missionary inquiries within 1–2 weeks
- Provide clear directions to the church and contact info for the day
- Let them know the service schedule and what's expected
- Communicate your missions policy and decision timeline
- Follow up within 2 weeks after the visit with your church's decision
Making Missionaries Feel Welcome
Remember: missionaries on deputation are living out of suitcases, often with their families, traveling week after week. A warm welcome and genuine hospitality can make an enormous difference in their spirit.
Simple gestures matter — a bottle of water on the pulpit, a meal with the pastor's family, a card from the children's class. Let them know they are not just another appointment on the calendar, but a fellow laborer in the gospel.
Checklist
- Introduce them warmly to the congregation
- Give them adequate time to present (don't squeeze them into 5 minutes)
- Invite them to stay for fellowship after the service
- Ask about their family and their journey — show genuine interest
- Provide a meal and a comfortable place to rest
- Offer to help with practical needs (fuel, laundry, directions)
Follow-Up & Ongoing Support
The relationship doesn't end when the missionary leaves your building. Whether or not your church decides to take them on for support, follow up promptly and graciously.
For missionaries you do support, stay engaged. Read their prayer letters, pray for them in your services, and encourage your members to write or send care packages. When they're on furlough, invite them back to update the church. This ongoing relationship is what makes missions partnerships truly effective.
Checklist
- Notify the missionary of your decision within 2 weeks
- If supporting, set up regular monthly support promptly
- Add them to your church prayer list
- Assign a missions liaison to stay in contact
- Include them in your annual missions conference
- Pray for them by name in your services
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