Ways 2 Send IW's Effectively

 

Prayer:

Prayer is the most important support you can give an International Worker (IW). Through faithful, fervent, and specific prayer, you become an active participant in the work God is doing through them around the world. Your prayers matter!

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Practical Ways to Pray

• Invite others to pray. Encourage friends, family members, and fellow church members to join you in praying for International Workers and the nations they serve.

• Make prayer a part of church life. Share updated prayer requests with small groups, Sunday School classes, and your congregation during worship services.

• Ask how you can pray. Check in with International Workers to learn about their current needs, challenges, and opportunities for ministry.

• Pray when prompted. When an International Worker comes to mind or you feel prompted to pray, take a moment to do so—and let them know you prayed for them! (See the communication guidelines below.)

• Use The Way 2 Pray. The WGLD district prayer resource is updated every other month and includes specific prayer requests from our International Workers. (Access it here.)

 

Build Encouraging Relationships with Your International Workers:

International Workers need more than financial and prayer support—they need to know they are remembered, valued, and cared for. Consistent, thoughtful communication can strengthen relationships and remind them that they are not serving alone.

 

Practical Ways to Encourage

• Stay connected. Check in with your International Workers regularly. If you serve on your church’s missions team, consider assigning a specific person to each IW to help maintain consistent communication and ensure no one is overlooked.

• Remember special occasions. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays with a thoughtful message, card, or small gift. These simple gestures can mean so much when someone is far from family and friends. (See the communication guidelines below.)

• Send care packages. A package from home can be a wonderful encouragement! However, always check with your IW before sending anything. In some locations, customs fees, taxes, and receiving charges can be significant. If you send a package, be prepared to cover all shipping and receiving costs so your gift is a blessing rather than a burden.

 

Make encouragement intentional! Don't wait for a special occasion or a crisis to reach out. A simple message, a remembered birthday, or a thoughtful gesture can remind an International Worker that they are loved, supported, and an important part of your church family. Small acts of encouragement can make a lasting difference!

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Financial Support

• Each of our WGLD IW's depend upon both the Great Commission Fund (GCF) and personal support. More information on giving can be found here.

 

When your IW returns home for Home Assignment:

Home Assignment is a valuable time for International Workers to reconnect with loved ones and   supporting churches, but it can also bring many adjustments and practical needs. Your thoughtful support can  help them feel welcomed, refreshed, and ready to return overseas.

 

Practical Ways to Help

• Welcome them home well. Remember that adjusting to life in the States can be just as challenging as adjusting to life overseas. Offer patience, understanding, and a warm welcome as they settle back in.

• Listen to their stories. During their Home Assignment tour, workers may visit many churches, but they still want to share their experiences with people who care about them. Ask them to share a few highlights, then listen with genuine interest.

• Reach out first. Workers need time to rest and refuel, but they also want to spend time with friends and acquaintances. Don't wait for them to call you—reach out and invite them to connect. If they're unavailable, they'll let you know.

• Provide practical help. Could you fill their pantry, provide a gas card, or surprise them with gift cards to local restaurants? These thoughtful gifts can ease expenses and make daily life a little easier.

• Help them prepare to return overseas. As their Home Assignment comes to a close, ask whether they need help gathering supplies or packing a suitcase with special treats and gifts to take back with them.

• Help prepare their home for departure. Does their house or apartment need cleaning before they leave? Offer to lend a hand so they can focus on other preparations.

• Give parents a break. Could you provide childcare for an evening out or recommend a trusted babysitter? A little time together can be a meaningful gift for a busy family.

• Make their Home Assignment count! Don't assume someone else will meet their needs. Ask how you can help, look for practical ways to serve, and take the initiative. A welcoming church family can help International Workers feel refreshed, loved, and ready to return to the work God has called them to do.

 

Ongoing Partnership

• Read their updates and respond. Sign up to receive your International Workers’ updates, take time to read them, and send a brief note of encouragement. Let them know their ministry is being followed and their stories matter to you.

• Consider joining a team visit. Could you be part of a team that visits your International Worker on the field? Such visits can be a tremendous encouragement and help you better understand their ministry. Planning takes time, so start exploring the possibility early!

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Take the next step! Whether you send a quick message or travel across the world to visit, your interest and involvement remind International Workers that they are not serving alone. Look for one practical way to strengthen your connection with an IW today—and follow through!

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Every Sender Makes a Difference

Being a sender is more than a title—it’s an ongoing commitment to the people God has called to serve around the world. Whether you’re praying faithfully, offering practical help, staying connected, welcoming workers during Home Assignment, or even joining a team to visit them on the field, every act of support matters.

You don’t have to do everything, but you can do something. Choose one or two ways to become more intentional in supporting WGLD International Workers, and take the next step today. As WGLD churches and individuals work together to pray for, encourage, and support those who go, we become a stronger part of what our Father is doing among the nations.

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