You made it. Maybe it was the best time of your life, maybe it was the worst. Maybe you're thanking God every day that you’re home, or you’re praying that He will send you back to the mission field soon. No matter where you are with your transition back to your homeland, know that you are not alone. Jesus is with you, and others have walked before you. We hope this site can be helpful in your re-entry journey.
We would love to hear about your experience!
Pleeeeasse take the survey! If you served as a volunteer from North America for 2 months or longer through Adventist Volunteer Service and HE SAID GO, we want to hear about your experience!
Take Survey Media Content ReleaseA few returned volunteer missionaries share their "Re-Entry" journey.
Learn More“I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.”
Here are a few reflection questions to ask yourself as you re-enter your home culture after spending time in another culture:
The Institute of World Mission has created a short course to cover the basics of the Re-Entry experience. It takes about 15 minutes of reading and is not graded. Create an account and enroll for free.
Re-Entry CourseRe-Entry retreats are a great way to debrief your mission experience with others who are also returning from service. This is a time not only for reflection and building friendships, but also discovering tools to navigate the "re-entry" transition to your home culture.
Student Missionaries, contact the student missions office on your campus to find out when a Re-Entry Retreat weekend may be scheduled. If you already graduated or did not go through an Adventist university, you may want to contact your nearest Adventist university to ask if they would accommodate you. Links to the mission website pages for each university is provided below:
Those who have returned from mission service often need support. Sometimes it's as simple as finding someone who can listen as you remember and process your experience, and often family, friends or former co-missionaries can help fill this role. But sometimes pastoral or professional Christian counseling care can be very helpful in debriefing and processing.
If you are a student at a Seventh-day Adventist college or university, we encourage you to talk with your Student Missions Coordinator or Chaplain on campus so they can provide that support or assist you in finding the care that you need.
If you are not a student at an SDA university or are currently off-campus, you may want to contact your local church pastor to find a Christian counselor in your area. Below is a directory of Christian counselors provided by NAD Family Ministries.
The support and successful re-entry experience of our volunteers is a priority to the NAD Office of Volunteer Ministries. You are encouraged to contact our office at any time for assistance in finding support, or to simply share more about your mission experience.
The Institute of World Mission has created a short course to cover the basics of the Re-Entry experience. It takes about 15 minutes of reading and is not graded. Create an account and enroll for free.
Re-Entry CourseRocky Reentry - Thoughts, encouragement, and resources for those transitioning off the field from those who’ve been there.
List of Professional Christian Counselors (North American Division Family Ministries).
..................................................................................................“I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.”
..................................................................................................."And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there."
.................................................................................................."And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
.................................................................................................."...I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on My hand."
.................................................................................................."Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor forsake you."
.................................................................................................."...Don’t be afraid. God loves you very much. Peace be with you. Be strong now; be courageous.”
..................................................................................................."We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
.................................................................................................."Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters--a pathway no one knew was there!"
.................................................................................................."And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
"But out citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there!"
.................................................................................................."Many are unable to make definite plans for the future. Their life is unsettled. They cannot discern the outcome of affairs, and this often fills them with anxiety and unrest. Let us remember that the life of God's children in this world is a pilgrim life. We have not wisdom to plan our own lives. It is not for us to shape our future."
.................................................................................................."We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history."
.................................................................................................."There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind."
.................................................................................................."If we find outselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."
.................................................................................................."My home is in heaven. I'm just traveling through this world."
"The less you own, the less that owns you"