The Joy of Raising Missionary Kids (an interview with Keri Folmar)

Author: North American Mission Board
Published: Mon 29 Jan 2024
Episode Link: https://www.namb.net/podcasts/ministry-wives-podcast/the-joy-of-raising-missionary-kids-an-interview-with-keri-folmar/

Ministry often stretches us to grow in ways we never imagined, some that are hard but many that can bring us deep joy. Raising children in a completely different culture for missions is no different. Missionary wife, author, and podcaster Keri Folmar joins me to shine light on the joys she experienced raising missionary children. She shares how God used their upbringing on a different continent to teach them about hospitality towards all and the unity that comes from Christ alone.

SHOW NOTES

No matter what culture the Lord calls you to, parenting has joys and challenges. Embrace both and lean on Him.

One of the greatest joys in missions is allowing your children to see the unity that comes from Christ, not from culture.

The most important thing your children can see is you living for Christ and loving Him above all else, not living for your ministry.

QUOTES

“The thing with being in a church like this, we don’t have any culture to unite us, but we’re united in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are united sitting under the Word being preached, and we’re united in our love for Jesus. Our children saw that. They saw these deep relationships with people who didn’t look like us, who didn’t act like us in many ways, who didn’t dress like us, but they saw these deep relationships and they had relationships with people like that as well.”

-Keri Folmar

“Live for Christ, not for your ministry. I think that’s important for both husband and wife. If you live for Christ and you love Christ, your ministry will come out of that. But if you are living for ministry, it really becomes idolatry and you hold on. But if you are living for Christ, they see that you love Him above all, and they see that your love for them flows out of your love for Christ.”

-Keri Folmar