How Does SIM USA Support Global Workers in Crisis?

Henry and Taylor are Bible translators in West Africa with SIM USA. Due to its shifting military presence, the country’s political future often feels unreliable. Still, they have learned to rely on God in every situation. Henry and Taylor see God’s provision in how SIM faithfully cares for its missionaries in uncertain circumstances—even political instability.

“We don’t trust in horses and chariots. We don’t trust in drones and Uncle Sam. We trust in the Lord,” Henry said. “It’s probably the best thing you can do for your spiritual life—to put yourself in a situation where suddenly, you can’t manage it by yourself. That’s when God comes in and says, ‘My grace is sufficient.’”

Taylor said that SIM on their field has a detailed contingency plan for dangers they could face in their country—dangers like political unrest, military coups, and increased violence. Both Henry and Taylor feel that SIM makes every effort to plan for their physical safety. For example, Henry said SIM ensures each missionary has a house that makes them feel safe.

“They try their best to plan for your physical safety. They make sure that you have a home that meets your needs and that you have someone to walk alongside you when you are getting used to everything,” Taylor explained.

“SIM ranks very high in those areas, caring for our logistical material needs and ensuring we have good member care. We’re so grateful for that,” Henry added. The extra care and attention for workers is especially important for missionaries serving in places like West Africa and other locations with inherent risk, political instability, or strong resistance to Christianity.

SIM surrounds its global workers with a community of support who care for global workers at every stage of the process, from early discernment through the application process to preparation, transition, and living overseas. This team of mission mobilizers includes:

• Missional coaches who walk alongside believers, discerning their role in global mission and are not yet clear how God is leading them.
• Application coordinators who journey with believers, taking the next step toward global mission and applying to SIM USA—helping identify the right ministry opportunities and locations.
• Integration coordinators who prayerfully partner with approved applicants to design and pursue an individualized preparation and training track, plan for and carry out the transition to international living, and support workers in their first and second years on their new international ministry team.
• Care facilitators who maintain ongoing relationships with SIM workers as they live and serve abroad long-term for many years, even decades.
• Plus, the team members who help facilitate the complex details and logistics of becoming a missionary and serving overseas: Personnel deputies, Budget managers, Field administrators, and more.

When Taylor was a young mother, she experienced a season of panic attacks and stress. The SIM care team on their field helped arrange a home visit from a counselor based in the capital city who could be physically present with her to listen and offer support and solutions. Soon after this visit, a doctor also made a special trip to her home to provide her with medicine for her panic attacks.

SIM USA believes in the importance of good mental health care, which is especially pertinent for missionaries and global aid workers living outside their own culture—often in physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally demanding circumstances.

That’s why SIM’s care teams work to ensure all SIM USA global workers have access to mental health support, no matter where they are currently located.

Typically, workers experiencing mental health issues will share this with their care facilitator, who will work with the individual to identify their needs and concerns and make suggestions about the right next steps. The care facilitator will also connect the worker with SIM’s counseling liaison, who will provide a HIPAA-appropriate, legal connection with suitably licensed professionals.

“I don’t even remember what the counselor said anymore, but she was right there in my time of need,” Taylor recalled. “We’ve had people that have initiated that kind of care for us. They have said, ‘We know that you’re going through a hard time because of this … And we want you to know that we’re here to help you in this hard moment.’”

Henry and Taylor’s sense of provision from SIM also includes the local ministry community in Africa. The couple had a car accident in their country. Henry soon realized he had broken his neck in the accident, and SIM sent help.

“SIM sent an airplane. The airplane stopped at the mission hospital and picked up a neck brace. Then it came out to the site of the accident and flew me back to the hospital,” he said.

When Henry and Taylor had recovered, they were still without a vehicle. Multiple SIM missionaries living in the town immediately offered to let them drive their cars.

“They have really cared for us materially and spiritually. They’ve helped us through the things that we need help with. And, of course, we’ve contributed to other people’s journeys, too. It’s kind of what we do. We’re a community,” Henry said.

Ultimately, Henry and Taylor know they are important to every person at SIM—including the international leadership team.

The couple contributed to a Bible translation project in West Africa, which involved multiple organizations outside of SIM USA. Years into this project, there was a movement to remove the phrase “Son of God” from the New Testament translation.

“Long story short, we were not willing to give up that phrase,” Henry said. “Joshua Bogunjoko himself ( who was the West Africa Regional Director at the time) went to bat for us and helped us coordinate what SIM’s response would be … so people in leadership on the international level worked with us. People have just come around us.”

Henry and Taylor continue to serve in West Africa today, knowing that, through SIM, they have a community that supports them, prioritizes their safety, and cares for their needs.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

*Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.