THE MK PROGRAM

In 1972, the MK Program was born out of an obvious need to help MKs make the
necessary adjustments to living both overseas and in the United States.

The MK Program does not attempt to take the place of parents in raising MKs. The MK
program was created to assist MKs to successfully navigate through their MK years and to achieve independent living as adults. To this end, we have developed the following objectives.

I. BASIC VALUES OF THE MISSIONARY KID PROGRAM

We hold to the “basic values of the Assemblies of God World Missions,” especially
to the following values of the Missionary Kid Program.

A. Parents are the number one influence on their MKs and carry the responsibility for raising their children in such areas as parenting spiritual values, providing education, developing spiritual growth, and helping MKs make cultural adjustments.
B. The home in which the MK grows up is more important than the country in which the MK grows up.
C. MKs should make the most of every opportunity and, with the Lord’s help, turn every situation into a growing experience.
D. The advantages and disadvantages of being an MK should be viewed as “tradeoffs.”
E. Although the specific burden and call to missionary service is normally carried by the parents, the children are also included. God does not fragment families. Some MKs feel they have been called, along with their parents, to missionary service. Other MKs do not feel called, but feel since God has called their parents, then this is God’s will for them as well. The MK should not be viewed simply as excess baggage to be carried to the field.
F. Although the activities of ministry are normally carried out by the parents, the children should seek to support their parents’ ministry through prayer and active participation. Parents should encourage their children to minister at their own level, interest, and pace.
G. Although college- and career-age MKs have a common bond and an immediate identity among themselves, the MK should strive to integrate into their home society and achieve independent living.

II. INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF MISSIONARY KIDS’ OBJECTIVES

A. To be a resource for parents and MKs.
B. To develop, between AGWM and the members of the missionary family, a channel of communication that purely concerns itself with family life.
C. To provide information regarding on-field schooling alternatives and
opportunities.
D. To coordinate a reentry program for MKs returning to the United States from the field.
E. To prepare children of missionary candidates for the missionary lifestyle.
F. To coordinate a ministry to the MKs through mail that encourages spiritual growth and helps keep the MK in touch with American culture.
G. To assist college- and career-age MKs by helping them move successfully into their adult careers.
H. To research current needs of the missionary family, develop strategies to meet those needs, and disseminate the information to the missionary parents.
I. To maintain current information on the missionary family members.

III. THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF MISSIONARY KIDS PROGRAM
(ISMK)

The following is a description of the ISMK program. It is divided into three
categories: ongoing ministries, available ministries, and developing ministries.

A. ONGOING MINISTRIES — Are initiated from the MK Office on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.

1. MK Pre-Field Orientation: The MK PFO, which takes place during Candidate PFO, is designed to prepare candidates’ children for the missionary lifestyle. Our goals are: (a) to encourage MKs to see themselves as ambassadors of Christ, emphasizing that MKs play an
important role with their parents in taking the gospel to the world; and (b) to help the MK become aware of cultural differences, train them how to politely discover the new culture, and how to adjust. PFO includes: building trust, cooperation, and teamwork; suggesting ways to make friends; learning greetings in various languages; teaching
awareness of cultural differences and how to adjust; studying brief histories of foreign countries and world geography; and providing opportunity for ministry as it relates to the MK lifestyle. We also discuss
issues MKs will deal with, such as why their parents are going into missions, itineration, anger, resentment, dating nationals, and attending school overseas. We simulate cross-cultural experiences to teach many of our goals, using college-age MKs on staff. This give the candidate MK
opportunity to interact with a veteran MK.
2. MKs’ Reentry: The MK Reentry program, which follows PFO, takes place during the School of Missions. It is primarily for veteran MKs returning to the United States for itineration, yet we also address issues regarding leaving the U.S. to return to the field. Candidate MKs also attend this program. Reentry is designed to: (a) help MKs with reentry into the American culture, (b) provide opportunities for candidate MKs to interact with veteran MKs of their own age, and (c) help all MKs become aware that they are not
alone—there is a network of MKs worldwide who experience similar situations. We try to make reentry look like an American children’s church program, youth group, or summer camp, depending on the age of the MK.
We update MKs on the American youth scene, encourage making friends, develop a sense of unity, promote spiritual growth, discuss American schools, dating, anger, resentment, family life, itineration, and returning to
the field. We try to answer any questions the MKs may have, and give opportunity for MKs to minister. We discuss their personal development and are available to talk with parents regarding their MKs.
3. ISMK Communiqué: The Communiqué is a quarterly, minimagazine/newsletter sent on five age levels to all MKs (preschool, early elementary, upper elementary, youth, and college). Its purpose is threefold:
(a) to encourage spiritual growth, (b) to address MK issues and experiences, and (c) to help the MK keep in touch with American child or youth culture and to encourage good family life. We do this by using illustrative articles, puzzles, instructions for activities, pictures, and columns written by MKs. In the process, the Communiqué serves as a constant reminder to all MKs that they are not alone in their MK experience, neither are they forgotten.They are important!
4. “Together in His Name” (TIHN) CD/Tape Ministry: TIHN is sent on three age levels (preschool, early/upper elementary, and youth/college). It is similar to the ISMK Communiqué in purpose, yet approaches these
goals differently. Its three-fold purpose is: (a) to encourage spiritual growth, (b) to address MK issues and experiences, and (c) to help keep the MK in touch with American child/youth culture. This is done through sending animated Bible stories, Christian musicals, talks by leading youth evangelists and speakers, praise and worship songs,
and special tapes recorded during SOM giving highlights, songs, and messages.
5. Personal Correspondence, Cards, and Gifts: We mail birthday cards with gifts, Christmas cards, graduation cards, personal letters, informational letters, financial aid letters, and parent letters. We have a policy of writing a letter to every MK who writes to us. We constantly try to keep a personal touch and make information relevant.
6. MK Fellowships: Wherever we have a large group of college-age MKs, we attempt to hold monthly MK fellowship meetings, (“Mu Kappa groups,” which are a ministry of Mu Kappa International) particularly on A/G college campuses. The Mu Kappa groups are encouraged in order to
maintain a support network. The MK Program Coordinator visits A/G college campuses and helps set up these college fellowships. Overseas we encourage MKs to find their own leadership and to meet as regularly as possible to encourage each other.
7. MK Thanksgiving Retreat: MKs who have graduated from high school and are stateside (through age 22) are invited to the MK Thanksgiving Retreat. Married MKs are encouraged to bring their spouses, however, at personal expense. The retreat carries a dynamic spiritual impact, helps MKs with social and personal adjustments, and builds a strong sense of“family” among the MKs. Several services provide opportunities for MKs to minister. We form
small groups to share testimonies and discuss feelings, adjustments, hardships, and victories. Through this, MKs minister to one another. The retreat is usually held in the mountains where MKs enjoy winter sports. This has become one of the most valuable and memorable times for MKs.

B. AVAILABLE MINISTRIES—Are available to missionary parents or MKs who
request information. They could be described as resource ministries.

1. Guidance and Counseling: In making adjustments back into American culture, some high school and college MKs need guidance in areas of testing, values clarification, financial aid, career guidance, counseling, and
relationships. We can assist the MKs in obtaining the information to help them in college and in planning for their futures.
2. MK Education Abroad: The responsibility of educating MKs lies in the hands of the parents. We function as an information center and have current information on all schools that our MKs attend. Below is a list showing the alternatives you have in educating your MK.

a. Christian (no other information)
b. Christian, day, USA curriculum
c. Christian, day, non-USA curriculum
d. Christian, boarding, USA curriculum
e. Christian, boarding, non-USA curriculum
f. National, private, day, USA curriculum
g. National, private, boarding, USA curriculum
h. National, private, boarding, non-USA curriculum
i. National, public, USA curriculum
j. National, public, non-USA curriculum
k. Christian correspondence / home school course taught at home
l. Non-Christian correspondence / home school course taught at home
m. Military
n. International

3. MK Directory: We provide an MK directory in the various age levels upon request. We also provide a “forwarding service” so any MK can write any other MK by addressing the letter: c/o MK Office, 1445 Boonville Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65802. We will then forward the
letter to the other MK.The Call to Prayer publication lists all the MKs’ birthdays each month so youth groups, Women’s Ministries, churches, relatives, and other interested people can contact MKs. Addresses are only available upon request at the MK Office.
4. MK Information System: MK information is computerized and includes items such as name, nickname, birthdate, country, school, hobbies, interests, grandparents, home districts, etc. This information is to help keep us updated and to assist MKs in their personal development.
Information is obtained from the parents and updated annually. 5. Special MK Research: We continue to gather information regarding every aspect of the MK’s life. This can be helpful to the missionary family and those interested in MKs. We conduct some of our own studies, MK alumni contribute valuable information, and graduate students do
research relating to MKs. Through regional MK conferences we obtain MK information from other organizations and denominations.
6. MK Hotline: MKs in the United States can call our office toll free if they need assistance of any kind. This primarily applies to the college-age MKs, though it is not limited to them. The number, exclusively for MKs, is 1-888-MK BWANA (652-9262). “Bwana” is the title given to the
Program Coordinator in our MK culture.
7. MK Homepage: MKs have access to our own homepage on the World Wide Web. We are located at: http://www.ismk.org
8. MK Task Force: The Task Force mobilizes MKs in ministry. Every summer the PFO and SOM are staffed by college-age MKs. They minister to the MKs in the program through small group dynamics, sharing experiences, participating in activities and services. Another branch of the MK Task Force provides overseas ministry through
teams made up of college-age MKs that staff retreats for MKs on the field. MKs can also apply for overseas ministries through AIM, summer MAPS assignments, and serve one- and two-year MAPS assignments (with the option to serve with their parents).
9. Post-field Return Visits: One of the greatest helps to MKs is to return to the field during the college years.
a. MKs can return to the field one time out of (00) funds after high school and before the end of their 22nd year, provided their parents are still on the field and that such trips be funded by a special account held by AGWM and fed by a monthly standard deduct of $10 from every missionary account. Travel for non-MK spouses not included.
b. MKs can return to work with their parents while serving a missions assignment. This can be done through a college missions program or through MAPS. The MK would have to raise support. If the MK is married, they can raise support for both. This would be an excellent time for the spouse to see the field, and it would be a tremendous equalizer in their marriage.
10. MK Support Network: Geographically, there are two areas of the MK support network: (1) on-field network, and (2) the USA network. A network of MK support goes far beyond what this office can organize or administrate, but this office has helped raise the awareness regarding MKs
and, therefore, people both on the field and in the U.S. have begun to reach out to MKs, thus creating the support network. MK retreats are held on most fields overseas. MK alumni are often invited to speak and/or direct these MK retreats. Also from among the missionaries, couples who are interested in MKs are beginning ministry to them. Some areas are moving toward the idea of having an “MK rep” to
coordinate MK ministries on the field. In the United States some of the home districts hold retreats for their MKs.
Home churches, youth groups, WMs, and interested people reach out to MKs in various ways, such as the “MK Adoption” program.
11. Missionary Support Network: Missionaries can give monthly pledges from their work accounts (00) to support the MK program. This is done by automatic transfer upon request. The money is used to pay for various aspects of the program. In this way we can provide things like the ISMK Communiqué, TIHN CDs and tapes, etc., without billing missionaries’ accounts for each item. The money also
goes to cover the cost of PFO for candidate missionaries and to cover costs for missionaries whose work accounts are too low to be able to support their MKs through the program.
12. Financial Aid Assistance for College MKs—and—Career Planning: Given the unique nature of international mailing and the need for information, the MK Program assists MKs in the initial processing of their FAFSA forms and subsequent follow up with financial aid needs in college. This process begins the junior year of high school and continues through the college years. For those MKs who do not have access to a guidance counselor, the MK Program provides assistance in the collegecareer planning process. Most A/G colleges and universities offer tuition discounts for MKs whose parents are active missionaries during the
college years.

C. DEVELOPING MINISTRIES—Are areas we are just beginning to develop.
Currently, we have only a foothold on these, but our plan to develop them into
ongoing and available ministries.

1. ISMK Alumni Association: This would include MKs over the age of 23 who are no longer on the active MK roster. The purpose of this ministry is to aid MKs in their adjustments, provide a research base, and a financial
network.
2. MK Mentoring: We are seeking to expand the role of mentoring for MKs given the varied levels of Sunday School and youth groups overseas. This includes on-field discipleship and networking with churches for collegeage MKs.