← Choosing a Mission Organization
Contents · 10 / 10
  1. Introduction — The Decision Behind the Mission
  2. Chapter 1 — Before the Agency: What Are You Actually Being Sent to Do?
  3. Chapter 2 — The Organization Behind the Logo
  4. Chapter 3 — Fit Is Not Enough
  5. Part II — Test the Organization
  6. Part III — Test the Life You Will Actually Live
  7. Part IV — Verify and Commit
  8. Conclusion — Choose, Commit, Stay Teachable
  9. Appendices A–G
  10. Bibliography

Publication

Bibliography

~6 min read

Agarwal, Pooja K., Ludmila D. Nunes, and Janell R. Blunt. “Retrieval Practice Consistently Benefits Student Learning: A Systematic Review of Applied Research in Schools and Classrooms.” Educational Psychology Review 33 (2021): 1409–1453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09595-9.

Blume, Brian D., J. Kevin Ford, Timothy T. Baldwin, and Jason L. Huang. “Transfer of Training: A Meta-Analytic Review.” Journal of Management 36, no. 4 (2010): 1065–1105. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206309352880.

Dunaetz, David R., and Ant Greenham. “Power or Concerns: Contrasting Perspectives on Missionary Conflict.” Missiology: An International Review 46, no. 1 (2018): 67–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091829617737499.

Frazier, M. Lance, Stav Fainshmidt, Ryan L. Klinger, Amir Pezeshkan, and Veselina Vracheva. “Psychological Safety: A Meta-Analytic Review and Extension.” Personnel Psychology 70, no. 1 (2017): 113–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12183.

Gish, Dorothy J. “Sources of Missionary Stress.” Journal of Psychology and Theology 11, no. 3 (1983): 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/009164718301100309.

GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment). Amended Final Report for the Investigatory Review of Child Abuse at New Tribes Fanda Missionary School. 2010.

Hibbert, Richard, Evelyn Hibbert, and Tim Silberman. “The Journey Towards Long-Term Missionary Service: How Australian Missionaries Are Being Called and Choose Mission Agencies.” Missiology: An International Review 43, no. 4 (2015): 469–482. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091829615584189.

International Mission Board. 2026 Annual Statistical Report Summary. Richmond, VA: International Mission Board, 2026. Data year 2025.

Joshua Project. “Definitions,” “People Group Counts,” and related methodology pages. Current pages reviewed August–September 2026.

Kim, Su Kyung, and Stuart Webb. “The Effects of Spaced Practice on Second Language Learning: A Meta-Analysis.” Language Learning 72, no. 1 (2022): 269–319. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12479.

Kristof-Brown, Amy L., Ryan D. Zimmerman, and Erin C. Johnson. “Consequences of Individuals’ Fit at Work: A Meta-Analysis of Person–Job, Person–Organization, Person–Group, and Person–Supervisor Fit.” Personnel Psychology 58, no. 2 (2005): 281–342. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2005.00672.x.

Launch Survey. Unlocking New Missionary Potential: Analyzing Key Motivations and Barriers Uncovered in the 2025 Launch Survey. 2025.

Lausanne Movement. State of the Great Commission Report. 2024.

Oakley, Lisa, Kathryn Kinmond, and Justin Humphreys. “Spiritual Abuse in Christian Faith Settings: Definition, Policy and Practice Guidance.” The Journal of Adult Protection 20, nos. 3–4 (2018): 144–154. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-03-2018-0005.

Professional Investigators International. ABWE and Donn Ketcham Investigations: Final Report. March 11, 2016.

Ritchie, James V., and Patricia Woods. “Why Are MedSend Grant Recipients Leaving the Mission Field? An Internal Review.” Christian Journal for Global Health 9, no. 1 (2022): 117–121. https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v9i1.603.

Roth, Stefan, Thomas Robbert, and Lennart Straus. “On the Sunk-Cost Effect in Economic Decision-Making: A Meta-Analytic Review.” Business Research 8 (2015): 99–138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40685-014-0014-8.

Walters, Susan Gary. “Experiencing Recent Missionary Evacuations: Traumatic Stress and Loss as Social Networks Break Down.” Missiology: An International Review 50, no. 3 (2022): 251–272. https://doi.org/10.1177/00918296211057100.

Wisniewski, Benedikt, Klaus Zierer, and John Hattie. “The Power of Feedback Revisited: A Meta-Analysis of Educational Feedback Research.” Frontiers in Psychology 10 (2020): 3087. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03087.

World Christian Database. Status of Global Christianity, 2026, in the Context of 1900–2050. 2026.

Wycliffe Global Alliance / ProgressBible. Global Scripture Access statistics, updated August 2026.

Zavala-Barajas, Shelby L., Stacy Eltiti, and Nancy Crawford. “Contributing Factors in the Successful Repatriation of Long-Term Adult Christian Missionaries.” Journal of Psychology and Theology (2022). https://doi.org/10.1177/00916471221082056.

Selected Institutional Sources

Current first-party organizational sources reviewed for structural comparison included public materials from IMB, OMF International, SIM, WEC International, Pioneers, Frontiers, SEND International, TEAM, Ethnos360, Interserve, YWAM, and Wycliffe Global Alliance member organizations. They were used to establish stated structures and policies, not comparative outcome rankings.

Bible References Cited

Matthew 20:25–28; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 13:1–4; Acts 14:26–28; Acts 20:28–31; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Proverbs 15:22; James 1:5.