In our final installment, we conclude our discussion to help people better understand why there is a need for families/couples like us to give up everything and move to a foreign country to serve missionary kids. We are often asked, “Why choose to serve in this particular mission field instead of doing something closer to home that follows the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 and in Acts 1:8?” The basic answer is that Black Forest Academy is the place to which we are called and their needs match our gifts. But this calling does follow and respond to Christ’s Great Commission. Author David Pollock, the inspiration for these posts says, “Caring for missionary kids and missionary families is not an appendage to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.”

POTENTIAL – Reason 3


Ask any teacher about the most fulfilling experience they’ve had with a student and most likely it won’t focus on how many facts were memorized or the papers that were written. Usually seeing a student live up to their potential or exceeding it brings the most fulfillment.  Potential is the third reason why we work with missionary kids, or MKs.

Some of the very things that make life challenging for a third culture kid, or TCK, are some of the strengths that can be a huge advantage as an adult. Take the example of language. Most missionary kids are bilingual or trilingual. Instead of rejecting or resenting knowing a foreign language, this gift can be developed and celebrated! We’ve heard one example about a former Black Forest Academy student who was fluent in Arabic and eventually became a translator for a very high-ranking official in the US government. Helping children turn challenges or differences into strengths is a difficult process of love and patience, but one that God has called us to answer.

Many kids who graduate from Black Forrest Academy or a similar school go on to have a huge impact in the world and in the Kingdom.  25% of MKs will return to the mission field and 17% will make the commitment to being career missionaries. During our mission training, we met two BFA grads who are heading overseas to be a part of that 25% and who knows? Maybe even the 17%! They have been prepared by Godly, loving parents and a team of people who have discipled and taught them. Their potential impact continues to grow and multiply.

I think it’s great to hear about the big, giant mission conferences and special events that we promote here in the states. Many lives are transformed, but do they really unlock the potential of the hundreds that attend? They are huge, expensive undertakings, yet we sometimes question the funding required to support schools like BFA. The exponential impact of supporting us, helps MKs develop their potential, helps families who minister the Gospel abroad and even helps future generations in communities around the globe. That’s big, proven potential!

We have all seen people at work, at church, or in our families who have hidden potential. If we see it in so many other places, it shouldn’t take much for us to see the potential in MKs and TCKs. The grace poured out at the foot of the cross through Christ’s death unleashed in each of us a potential we’ve yet to fully realize. And isn’t that what God’s Word tells us over and over.  Through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, we have amazing potential, enough to change the life of a child and even the world!

If you’d really like to dig deeper into this issue please check out David C. Pollock’s book Third Culture Kids .  Pollock is recognized as an expert in this field and can fill in the many gaps that I’ve left here.