Reflecting on my journey, I realize that my true initiation into the inner life began in 2003 during my MDiv studies. It was then that the systematic world of Spiritual Formation (SF) and Spiritual Direction (SD) was first opened to me. I remember the vulnerability of sitting in those required sessions as a directee, and eventually, the weight of practicing as a director myself. It was during those two courses that I began to carve out a personal sanctuary in my home—a sacred space I have fought to maintain to this very day. Looking back at my earlier mission training, we had prayer groups and talked often about spiritual warfare, but we lacked a specific focus on the necessity of sustaining one’s own inner life for the long haul.
I often find myself looking at the standard curriculum for pastors and missionaries in Hong Kong and elsewhere, and I feel a deep sense of concern. A student might complete 120 credits for a bachelor’s or 90 for a master’s, yet find almost no space dedicated to the very spirituality they are meant to cultivate in others. I wonder: when is a future leader—the one tasked with the Great Commandment—supposed to learn the practical rhythm of the soul? This is not just an academic gap; it is a practical crisis that affects the very goal of our churches.
In my observations of missionaries’ inner lives, I’ve realized that spiritual formation is far more than a collection of “tools”—it is not enough to simply download a devotional app or attend a Bible study. True formation is an inner checkup, a slow realization that our Heavenly Father has a specific plan and timing for us as we shift toward a life where God is truly first. My own journey was deeply reshaped by the liturgical traditions of the Anglican church, and I discovered through the companionship of mentors that my “old self” and “new self” were inextricably linked to my ministry path. I’ve seen how theological biases or personal preferences can cause us to ignore the most essential parts of our faith. This is not a new topic, but I fear it has been quietly put aside.
I’ve come to see spiritual direction as a three-way relationship—a triangular, sacred space between God, the director, and the directee. The director is merely a helping hand, practicing a specialized kind of listening and longing alongside the missionary to see where God is moving in the midst of family, work, and personal needs. However, this path is not without its hurdles.
Alert 1: The Tension of Time and Exhaustion—When “Instant Messaging” Meets “Fatigue”
I often think back to the “old snail-mail days,” when a single session between an overseas missionary and a director at home could take months. Today, I feel the pressure of the digital age, where waiting even a day for a text response feels long. While online meetings are a gift, I still believe in the power of meeting in person at least once a year for a retreat. But we must be careful: encountering God is exhausting. We often dream of the Transfiguration, but the reality is more like the weary, trembling prophets of the Old Testament. We must not turn this precious time into just another “task-oriented” slot; two sessions a day are the maximum the soul can bear.
Alert 2: The Silent Soldiers in Restricted Areas—A Spirit Wake-up Call
My heart is often with those serving in restricted areas with limited connectivity. For them, every meeting is a risk, and they must rely entirely on the “spiritual savings” they have stored up in their daily walk to survive the spiritual warfare that targets them. This is my wake-up call: if a missionary has never experienced this inner journey, how do they start? Some challenges to missionary and agent head:
1. Without training, how can one know their spiritual journey?
2. Without experience, how can one even sense what is missing?
3. If the community views discussing spirituality as stepping on “red line of privacy,” how can one breakthrough and seek for assistance?
4. Without a referral system in the sending agent, where can one start?
Alert 3: Reject the Misconception of “Annual Body Check”
Last year, I spoke with a regional director who mistakenly viewed spiritual direction as a mere “once-a-year body check.” He struggled with the idea of allowing a missionary to take ten days away from the field for a retreat, fearing the cost and the time away from the office. But spiritual direction is not a once-a-year checkup; it is a consistent commitment—usually every four to six weeks—to face God with an open heart. More specific challenges to the sending agents:
- The Financial Obstacle: If a sending church does not understand SD, who pays the bills? Can this be included in fundraising?
- The Confidentiality Dilemma: Should a director provide a report to the sending organization? Will such a report be used to interrupt a missionary’s term or resources?
- The Sourcing Question: Is it better for a pastor to be the director, or should the organization provide a recommended list of external mentors to ensure safety and trust?
Alert 4: Every Co-Worker Needs Spiritual Companions
I remember when I was still an administrative staff member at headquarters, long before I took formal SF and SD courses. I was unexpectedly chosen for a four-day retreat. Usually, such opportunities were reserved for those on the front lines, but that time helped me realize that everyone involved in mission work needs spiritual companions to wake up their senses. We are a group that easily loses the rhythm of normal worship, standing on the front lines until we are drained of all resources.
Alert 5: Strengthen the Broken Bridge Link
Ultimately, this work has reshaped my understanding of growth by teaching that God-centeredness is the only bridge that holds. If that link breaks, we fall into a worldly-centered approach that leads to failure, even if the “work” appears finished.
Come! Sustaining the Spiritual-Healthiness of Missionaries
The richness of a Christian’s spiritual life is a visible, nonverbal testimony, and it is the antidote to the overemphasis on “success stories” and “statistics” in theological education. Every missionary deserves the light of spiritual direction to help them experience the easier yoke and lighter burden that Jesus promised. It breaks my heart when we only notice a person’s spiritual health after they have “walked away” due to sin or burnout. We must commit to widening the sphere of their growth while they are still in the field, before the dryness sets in.
