Mission Prep

Prep Your Missionary

By Allison Beckert

Opportunities to Serve as a Senior Missionary Couple

Missionary work has changed rapidly in the last ten years and continues to change with each year to match the needs of the world and the Lord’s message. One call has continued to resonate: the call for senior couples to serve as missionaries. While the narrative of missionary work often revolves around the youth and their preparation, what can potential couple missionaries do to prepare to serve?

Service for couples is substantially different from what’s expected of youth, and it’s also changed from what service has looked like for couples in the past. In fact, the diversity of service options has led to the creation of a website specifically for couples that want to serve but aren’t sure what kind of mission or role will be the best fit. SeniorMissionary. churchofjesuschrist.org is a site made to show potential missionaries answers to frequently asked questions, wide ranging options for service opportunities at home or abroad and assistance in recognizing where their talents can be used in the service of the Lord’s call to gather Israel.

When considering a formal call to serve in a full-time missionary status, there are some criteria to consider. The most updated requirements can be found on the website; they include a minimum available hours, age, employment status, considerations regarding dependents and worthiness to serve. Couples can request different terms of service, including 6-, 12-, 18-, or 23-month assignments. Since couples looking to serve have a wider variety of concerns— including financial questions, family concerns or health worries—SeniorMissionary.churchofjesuschrist.org has an extensive ‘About Serving’ page that addresses these weighty issues with clear direction. Any concerns can be reviewed in more detail with your bishop and stake president before submitting your paperwork. With the rapidly changing conditions in domestic and international service, allow your experience to be its own journey. Brother Dana Willis and his wife, Sister Brenda Willis, have recently received their call to serve in the Spain Madrid Mission and graciously shared their experience and insight for this article. Their

instruction and training included preparing to support members and ward/stake leaders, music instruction and language courses. When asked for their advice to couples considering a mission, they shared three points: First, follow President Nelson’s admonition to increase your faith and review recent teachings from the prophet and the apostles. Second, if you wish to serve overseas, study other languages. Third, physically prepare. Exercise and work on your health—including digging out those immunization records! Most importantly, recognize your unique talents, the value of your experience as a member of the church and as a professional, parent and human being in the Photo by Church Media Library world, and move forward with faith Your unique talents and experience can help reach members, non-members and investigators in ways a companionship of elders or sisters might not. when prompted to serve the Lord as a missionary.