Why Missionaries Quit: Proven Tips for Longevity

Originally written as a doctoral dissertation, "Why Missionaries Quit: Proven Tips for Longevity" by Dr. Tom Latham is an insightful and essential guide that aims to support and empower missionaries. With over five decades of firsthand experience as a missionary in Brazil, he offers a candid and practical exploration of the challenges that often lead missionaries to leave the field prematurely. He provides a wealth of practical advice, personal anecdotes, and biblical wisdom to prepare current and aspiring missionaries for the realities of cross-cultural ministry.

Dr. Latham organized this fully indexed book into six chapters, each addressing a critical aspect of missionary life: cultural adaptation, interpersonal relationships, financial challenges, evangelism issues, church leadership transition, and family dynamics, and providing practical strategies that can be applied directly in real missionary situations.

- Cultural Adaptation: Learn how to overcome culture shock, adjust to new environments, and embrace cultural differences while maintaining your faith and values.

- Interpersonal Relationships: Discover how to build and repair relationships with fellow missionaries, mission agencies, and nationals, ensuring harmony and collaboration in your ministry.

- Financial Management: Gain insights into managing finances, working with low-income communities, and avoiding dependency while fostering self-sustaining churches.

- Evangelism Strategies: Explore effective methods for sharing the Gospel, discipling new believers, and planting indigenous churches that thrive and grow.

- Church Leadership Transition: Understand how to prepare churches and national leaders for successful transitions, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.

- Family Dynamics: Navigate the unique challenges of raising a family on the mission field, balancing ministry responsibilities with nurturing a healthy and happy home life.

Dr. Latham's writing offers a balanced perspective on the trials and triumphs of missionary work. His words are engaging, relatable, and deeply rooted in Scripture. This book is both a practical manual and a spiritual guide. With helpful charts, such as the "Stress Chart" and "Total Discipleship Chart," and innovative financial strategies like the "Lot Bank Program," this book provides practical support and reassurance for missionaries facing challenges.

It is a must-read for anyone involved in or considering missionary work. Its blend of practical advice, spiritual guidance, and real-world examples makes it an invaluable resource for navigating the complexities of life and ministry in foreign cultures. Dr. Latham's dedication to the cause of Christ and his deep understanding of the missionary experience shine through on every page. This book is a testament to his legacy and a beacon for those who seek to serve God in challenging environments and make a lasting impact for Christ.

Dr. Harry Thomas "Tom" Latham is a Navy veteran and senior Baptist missionary with over 50 years of experience serving in Brazil. A graduate of Central Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Luther Rice Seminary (DMin), Dr. Latham has dedicated his life to church planting, evangelism, and mentoring indigenous church leaders. Tom and his late wife, Penny, labored to establish four thriving churches. Tom founded and coached a successful wrestling program that won state and national team titles in Brazil. Dr. Latham's deep faith, practical wisdom, and commitment to the Great Commission have made him a respected leader in the Baptist missionary community and a much-loved pastor to the people he ministers to in Brazil.

Dave Carlson is accomplished in multiple fields-a true "jack of all trades" and "master of many." Since 1992, his DynoTech ventures-Consulting, Publishing, and Software-have sold more than 38 titles in all 50 states and 95 countries. He earned five advanced degrees and has written tens of thousands of pages of fiction and nonfiction. Dave is enjoying retirement after more than 50 years of work, starting with his first full-time job in 1970 and more than 35 years as a U.S. Army Engineer Officer. He retired from both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Federal Civil Service. He stays busy during retirement with consulting projects in computer technology, computer-aided illustration, book editing, and publishing.