Digital Age Missionaries

When my family arrived for our first term as cross-cultural missionaries, one of the most surprising challenges we faced wasn’t the language barrier or culture shock it was our Internet connection. In 2018, our access was expensive, slow, and metered by the megabyte. We could barely check email or make a brief voice call home. Though frustrating at first, the limitation soon proved to be a blessing. Without constant access to screens, we had more time to invest in relationships. We shared meals with neighbors, played games with other missionaries, and built a rich, vibrant community that carried us through those early years.

Then came our second term and a new fiber-optic connection. Suddenly, we had flat-rate, high-speed Internet just like in America. We could stream Netflix, FaceTime with family, and scroll social media endlessly. At first, it felt like a luxury. But slowly, we began to notice the cost.

We spent more time indoors than outside. We spent more time connecting with people back home than with those in our host country. The screens that once seemed like a lifeline were now stealing our attention and in subtle ways, our hearts.

The Draw of Digital Escapism

We live in an age where the temptation to retreat into screens is constant. Whether through streaming shows, scrolling endlessly, or shopping online, digital escapism promises to numb our stress and offer an easy escape. For missionaries, that temptation can be even stronger.

Why?

• First, the challenges are very real. Missionaries often face visible poverty, injustice, or danger that can feel overwhelming. Ministry can mean dealing with fleas, bed bugs, domestic violence, or serious health concerns. Screens offer a way to retreat from the weight of it all.

• Second, rest is essential. Even Jesus took time to step away from ministry to pray and rest (Luke 5:16). Our need for recovery and refreshment is God-given, which can make digital distractions feel like a legitimate form of self-care.

• Third, digital access is everywhere. Even in the most remote areas, cellular towers and satellite Internet provide constant connectivity. The temptation to be “back home” via a screen is just a tap away.

The Dangers of Constant Connection

Missionaries may leave their home countries, but with unlimited Internet access, their home countries never leave them. While staying in touch is good, too much digital connection can become harmful.

• It intensifies feelings of loss. Watching friends celebrate birthdays, vacations, or career milestones can deepen the sense of missing out, which often leads to envy or discouragement.

• It divides attention. The pressure to keep up with everyone back home can distract from building local friendships and investing in ministry where God has placed you.

• It fosters isolation. Screens can replace face-to-face community, leaving missionaries feeling disconnected even while “connected.”

Avoiding the Trap of Digital Escapism

Our family learned that the way of Jesus offers a better pattern for rest and renewal. He embraced both presence and limitations, modeling how to live focused, intentional lives even in the midst of great demands. Here are two key lessons we’ve learned:

1. Prioritize Near Relationships

The Son of God limited Himself to one place and one time. He ministered to those around Him and built deep relationships with a handful of disciples. When His family sought Him out, Jesus responded by prioritizing those right in front of Him (Luke 8:19–21).

We must also accept our human limitations. We cannot meaningfully maintain dozens of long-distance relationships while also building strong local ones. Here are three practical steps to help:

• Schedule check-ins. Set aside a limited time each week or month to update loved ones, then focus on those physically present the rest of the time.

• Restrict social media. Consider limiting it to one device or removing it altogether.

• Practice digital sabbaths. Set aside one day a week to go screen-free and re-engage with God, family, and local community.

2. Escape Like Christ

Jesus withdrew, but He did so with purpose. He often retreated into creation (Mark 1:35), took His closest friends with Him (Mark 6:31), and most importantly, sought His Father in prayer (Luke 5:16). His times of rest were not escapes from reality but times of renewal for His mission.

Healthy rest for us might look like:

• Going for a prayer walk or spending a day outdoors.

• Taking intentional time with family or close friends, free from screens.

• Spending unhurried time with our heavenly Father, finding true rest in His presence.

Psalm 16:11 reminds us: “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” No amount of digital entertainment can compare to the joy found in fellowship with God.

Engaging with Presence, Not Distraction

The pull of digital escapism is real for missionaries and for all of us. But when we set boundaries and learn to rest like Jesus, we find the freedom to be present with the people God has placed around us. We become more attentive to His voice, more connected to community, and more resilient in our callings.

By God’s grace, we can trade distraction for depth, digital noise for real connection, and online escapism for the eternal joy of being fully present where He has planted us.

If this encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone navigating digital overload or subscribe to our newsletter for more weekly reflections on living with God’s presence in a digital world.