2000 Years Ago a church-planting missionary named Paul lamented about a church in Philippi. He had been forced to leave before it was ready to be on its own. He had labored and loved and was concerned that all the Lord had accomplished through him would be lost or corrupted. His heartfelt cry has echoed down through the ages as countless other missionaries have agonized with him: “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's” (Phil. 2:20- 21). Today, missionaries are often forced to choose between leaving their young church without competent leadership, or staying on the field long past their normal term. Leaving means exposing the church to cults, petty jealousies among young Christians and other problems that can arise in a authority and leadership vacuum. Staying means not raising needed support or losing existing support. It can be hard on health and emotional well being of family members. Furloughs are needed and biblical. (Acts 14:26-28) This lack of logistical support has resulted in diminished and damaged church plants as well as injured relationships and burnt out missionaries.