Q: What if my teenage kids don’t want to move overseas when we launch into missions?

Moving teenagers is the most difficult family dynamic for any potential missionary family. Regardless of your family authority structure, if the teenagers aren't on board with your call and vision, you will have a tough time accomplishing it. However impractical this sounds, any family with teenagers needs to make a survey trip to the field of ministry before making serious decisions to go permanently. It can be difficult to understand the teenagers’ resistance to the move. They may not want to leave friends and family back home. That is understandable and normal and can be overcome. They may not understand your call or the ministry vision. That can be overcome with the survey trip. They may be resistant to a life of faith and focused on their own comfortable life. That is difficult to overcome without the Lord's intervention. Most teenagers from Christian families are struggling to make their faith their own. That process can be encouraged by faithful, loving, and praying parents, but cannot be forced or predicted. The results of forcing this process can be disastrous to your family, your children, and your mission. In short, any family with teenagers wanting to move to the mission field will need to have the Lord call the WHOLE family, not just the parents.

1) When the Lord calls you as a couple, the Lord IS calling the whole family. Most other countries you will go to will EXPECT your teenagers to be with you. We are not individualized as teenagers -- we are a family. Such an answer would not be given in the Middle East, Asia, or Latin America. With Dad as the head, and Mom along with his leading, you go as you are led, as a family!

2)You are being a successful parent when you take your teenagers with you to seek the lost as a missionary family.

3)I like the scouting it out first idea, then give them a part to walk in, a role to play in the missionary effort.

Disclaimer: The following answer has not been reviewed or edited.

Be sure God’s word is evident and working full circle in your family’s life before you ever consider the call to mission work. The Word of God instructs children to obey their parents. It also speaks to father’s not to provoke their children. The best scripture to remember is that “…every house divided against itself shall not stand.” When I was called to the mission field, I shared the vision with my wife and children asking their input. We discussed the change in lifestyles, the sacrifices that would need to be made in everyday life. As the time drew near to leave and go live on the mission field opposition began to rise in my family and even church. Rooted and grounded in God’s directives with much prayer and fasting I held fast to the course set in surety from God and we did leave. Today looking back, I can say that it has changed my daughter’s decisions and lifestyle to serve the Lord in missions because of their experience. The journey was not without hardships and challenges, but it has keep our family close to God and one another. I counted the cost and shared it with my family before we ever left to serve in missions. If it’s God’s voice calling, count the cost and He will open every door necessary. God will never divide a family, but He has also placed a divine order as seen in the Trinity. God Bless

Being a successful missionary but a failure as a parent is not an option. Another principle: If it is God's will for you to be overseas, then it is God's will for your kids to be there too. This may sound like it conflicts with the first. Each situation is different. The Lord of the Harvest knows what will work best for your family. Others can give you advice and opinion, but be sure you are certain your call to launch now is not out of any other motive than God's will. If your kids are resisting, it could be that God is using them to check your motives and timing. If they don't want to go with you, don't make them bitter for the rest of their lives just to do something you want to do. If indeed they are opposed to going with you, I would advise waiting until they are out on their own, and have a good support system in place before you leave for your missions assignment.