The Care Initiative at MTI exists to help steward a growing ecosystem of care and development for cross-cultural workers, sending agencies, churches, caregivers, and MTI staff.
THE CARE INITIATIVE
Care that sustains missions for the long haul.
ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
Why care matters.
Cross-cultural workers face unique challenges. We are seeing a growing need for intentional practices that support long-term thriving - not just preparation, but ongoing care, resilience, and rhythms that sustain.
Complex Needs
Workers are arriving with increasingly complex needs, often with limited awareness of the true cost of overseas service.
Beyond Preparation
Preparation matters deeply, but long-term endurance requires ongoing care, support, and shared language.
Stronger Together
Care is most effective when we collaborate—agencies, churches, caregivers, and trusted partners working together.
Intentional Thriving
We help workers and sending communities move from reactive care to intentional rhythms of thriving.
Mission That Lasts
Our hope is to see more people thrive with effectiveness, endurance, and personal vitality for the long haul.
MORE ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
A collaborative ecosystem.
The Care Initiative is built around collaboration. MTI convenes and stewards relationships that help the broader missionary care ecosystem grow stronger.
Thrive Collaborative
Bringing key stakeholders together to foster shared learning, aligned practices, and collaboration around care and development.
Service Provider Network
Connecting trusted third-party providers who specialize in care, development, and ministry effectiveness.
Care Development
Guiding and strengthening the ecosystem through research, relationships, resources, and strategic support.
Learn more about our approach to care and collaboration.
“The Care Initiative at MTI is shifting the tide of the missions world from reactive to proactive.”
Mission Training International • Palmer Lake, Colorado
SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SECTION
John Powell Institute (JPI)
The John Powell Institude (JPI) is the research arm of the Care Inisative. It serves as an evidence-informed think tank focused on the thriving of cross-cultural workers.
JPI works to:
Listen to cross-cultural workers and mission leaders to understand real needs and experiences.
Make research on well-being accessible and useful for organizations, care providers, churches, and cross-cultural workers.
JPI continues the legacy of Dr. John Powell, a long-time board member and key contributor to MTI. He believed that cross-cultural workers experience greater vitality and endurance when they are well-prepared and supported.
Our current project: The Thrive Outcomes
In 2025, JPI launched the Thrive Outcomes Project, a collaborative effort exploring the question: What does it take for a cross-cultural worker to thrive?
This project is not only about answering that question. It is about building shared understanding, language, and purpose for those who support cross-cultural workers. To do this, JPI is gathering insights shaped by experience, wisdom, and research.
We believe the Thrive Outcomes Project can:
Add depth and clarity to the role and impact of People Care & Development
Strengthen conversations within and across organizations
Help practitioners access thoughtful, practical insight
Lay a stronger foundation for collaboration
This work depends on shared contribution. Would you consider contributing your voice and insights for the strengthening of cross-cultural workers? You can learn more about the project and submit your ideas here.
The Thrive Outcomes Project is part of the Shared Foundations Initiative (SFI), a broader effort to develop shared language and understanding for People Care & Development. You can learn more about SFI here.
LOOKING AHEAD
The road ahead
The Care Initiative will continue developing in three key stages.
01
Foundation & Activation
Clarifying the framework, launching Thrive Plans, developing care team rhythms, and beginning strucured coaching.
02
Integration & Maturity
Expaning participation, increasing coaching capacity, integrating thriving into team life, and refiing through feedback.
03
A Culture of Thriving
Building a sustainable care ecosystem where thriving is part of our shared language, leadership practive, staff development, and ministry impact.
Let’s build a culture of care - together.
We invite agencies, churches, caregivers, and partners to join us in helping cross-cultural workers thrive for the long haul.