As a parent of a missionary you may feel that missing your child and your grandchildren signals a lack of faith. But proclaiming the gospel and making disciples was not meant to eclipse the loving family bonds God ordained. Whether you're the parent of a missionary recruit or a parent of an experienced missionary, you'll benefit from the authors' research and personal experience as they present a comprehensive plan for understanding missionary life, navigating the holidays, grandparenting long-distance and saying good-bye well.
Combining a counselor's professional insight and a parent's personal journey, plus ideas and stories from dozens of missionaries and POMs, Parents of Missionaries is a valuable tool for missions mobilizers and educators as well as parents. The POM experience amounts to a journey through change, pain and adjustment. Wherever you are on that journey, this resource will encourage you and help you thrive and stay connected with your children and grandchildren serving cross-culturally.
Not only can you survive as a parent of a missionary—you can thrive.
Cheryl Savageau (Ed.D.) is a professional clinical counselor with experience acquired in private practice, public agency, and church settings. Cheryl directed the Counseling Ministries at LifeSpring Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her extensive research into the experience of parents of missionaries culminated in her doctoral dissertation entitled, An Ecological Analysis of the Stresses Experienced by Parents of Missionaries (2005).
Diane Stortz was parent of a missionary for almost six years. During that time she co-founded, along with Cheryl Savageau, the National Network of Parents of Missionaries and a support group for POMs in the greater Cincinnati area. She is an author and now owns Izzy's Office, where she writes and provides editorial services to publishers.