Doing Ministry in Retirement

Serving Faithfully in Retirement

Retirement for missionaries doesn’t always mean stepping away from ministry—it often means serving in new ways, with the added richness of decades of experience. Wally and Karen are a perfect example. After many years of ministry, they now live in Arizona, but their hearts are still fully engaged in God’s work.

Wally teaches a 12-week course at the Seminary of the Americas, training Spanish-speaking pastors and leaders. Even as he faces the ongoing challenge of cancer treatments, he continues to pour into students, equipping them to serve their communities and plant churches. His classroom is a place of both theological depth and practical wisdom—shaped by his years on the field.

Karen serves through “Loving Well” ministry, mentoring Spanish-speaking women. She offers encouragement, prayer, and guidance, helping them grow in their walk with Christ and navigate life’s challenges. Her ministry doesn’t end when the sessions do—she follows up faithfully through a WhatsApp group, keeping the conversation going and relationships strong.

For both Wally and Karen, retirement has simply shifted the how of ministry, not the why. They are proof that serving God doesn’t end with age; it just takes on new forms.

Caring for Missionaries in Retirement

Missionaries who retire still carry a deep love for God’s work and often a lifetime of wisdom to share. But they may also face health issues, financial concerns, or a sense of loss after leaving their field of service. Here are some practical ways to care for them in this new season of life:

• Listening and valuing their stories – Their experiences can encourage and inspire others.
• Helping with logistics – This can include transportation to medical appointments, help with technology, or assistance in ministry preparations.
• Encouraging rest and renewal – After decades of pouring out, they may need space to recharge without guilt.
• Providing financial or housing support – Especially if their retirement resources are limited.

Caring for retired missionaries means honoring their past service while helping them thrive in their present season.

Praying for Missionaries in Retirement

Retired Missionaries have physical needs, and we can come alongside them and care for them in those areas, but it’s also important to devote time to praying for them. Here are some ways you can pray for the retired missionaries in your life:

• For health and strength – Especially for those like Wally, who are serving while facing serious health challenges.
• For open doors of ministry – That God will continue to use their skills and gifts in meaningful ways.
• For encouragement and joy – That they will feel valued, loved, and purposeful.
• For provision – That God will meet their financial, emotional, and spiritual needs abundantly.
• For lasting fruit – That the seeds they plant in this season will continue to grow long after their work is done.

Wally and Karen remind us that retirement can be a chapter of deep impact—where years of faithful service fuel a fresh season of ministry. Their example encourages us to cheer on, care for, and pray for those who have given so much, trusting that God still has abundant work for them to do.