Confessions of a Modern Missionary: True Stories, Hidden Costs, and What the Church Needs to Know About Life on the Field

In this letter of love and lament to the church, Juliet Stück shares an honest, compassionate look at modern missionary life. Spanning twelve years and three countries, her story invites the church to truly see those it sends and supports in the mission field.

Drawing from her experiences serving in Thailand, South Africa, and Nicaragua, Juliet reveals how missionaries live with "a foot in many worlds," constantly balancing identities, expectations, and relationships. She addresses often-unacknowledged topics such as mental health on the mission field, marriage under pressure, the strain of fundraising and furlough, burnout, and the deep grief of being called away from places where life and ministry have taken root.

For missionaries and ministry leaders, these pages offer solidarity and hope. For the church, they provide a vital invitation to listen more closely, love more intentionally, and learn how to better support missionaries--not just in going but in staying, thriving, healing, and being faithfully present in the work God has called them to do.Read less