Mobilization: Church Partnerships

The local church is defined as the primary sender of missionaries, while mission agencies function as facilitators that support this ecclesial responsibility. Research shows that robust church partnerships are the most consistent predictors of long-term field retention, resilient support networks, and successful missionary preparation.

Conversely, agencies that bypass the church often face higher rates of missionary attrition, isolation on the field, and significant challenges during the reintegration process. To ensure excellence, high-performing organizations implement non-negotiable partnership requirements, such as seeking early pastoral feedback and utilizing formal partnership agreements to clarify roles between the church, agency, and candidate.