2025 POM Life Retreat for Parents of Missionaries/Global Workers

We recognize that missionaries desire the blessing of their parents on their work, but parents can sometimes struggle to cope with the emotions and life changes that accompany having a missionary son or daughter.

The POM Life Conference Retreat offers POMs the opportunity to:

• Connect with fellow POMs through discussion and over meals!
• Learn new ideas & practical ways to stay engaged with your grandchildren and children!
• Examine what the Bible says about your unique role!
• Discover how to cope with emotions and challenges that can come along!
• Hear about websites, apps, & online resources to help strengthen communication
• Explore helpful books that are relevant to POM Life (for adults and childrens books too)

The Member Care department of ABWE offers a variety of services to address the physical social, spiritual, and emotional health of the missionary, but did you know that there is a support system designed for you, the missionary’s parent?

Designed and led by POMs, the POM Life Conferent & Retreat is designed for any parent of a missionary (POM), also referred to as global workers, regardless of the organization with which they serve. Parents of pre-field or currently-serving workers are encouraged to attend AND this year we are inviting SIBLINGS (age 16 and older) to join us on Day 2! We will begin on Friday with check-in at 4:30 PM and meet all day Saturday, concluding with dinner at approximately 7pm.

Join us as we address POM Life topics such as:

• How to Say Goodbye Well, Stay Connected & Ways to Welcome Them Back
• Technology Tips, Tricks & Resources
• How to Be a Presence When You Can't Be Present -Long-distance Parenting/Grandparenting
• Coping With Emotions, Fears, & Challenges
• Where Do I Fit In God's Plan...and more!

Dan and Amy W represent the Member Care department at ABWE and began the POM Ministry in the fall of 2021. Lifelong public educators, their lives were changed when their daughter, son in-law, and only grandchildren left to serve as missionaries in a Muslim country "far far away." Through their experience, God gave them a passion to develop a support ministry for parents of missionaries.

Whether your heart is hurting or rejoicing, this retreat is for YOU!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12