Lausanne World Pulse – WORLD EVANGELISM & MISSIONS REPORTS – Boomers—The New Wave of Volunteer Missionaries

On average, one “baby boomer” (those both after World War II and before the Vietnam War) retires every seven seconds in the United States, and Wycliffe Associates is tailoring its programs with this in mind.

“Wycliffe Associates, which supports Bible translators in practical ways, is building a new volunteer mobilization center in Orlando [Florida] to recruit, train and mobilize the service contributions of what is expected to be a continued influx of mature, skilled volunteers,” said Martin Huyett, vice president of volunteer services for Wycliffe Associates.

Baby boomers make up a quarter of the total population in the United States.

“In their teens and 20s, they redefined pop culture,” John Hall of Texas Baptist Communications has written. “In their 30s ands 40s, they challenged the traditional role of women. Now in their 50s and 60s, baby boomers are poised to change American culture again.”

Todd Johnson, a research fellow and director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, confirms that boomers are more interested in being active than just giving money. Many are starting NGOs (non-governmental organizations) such as orphanages, business centers and health clinics that minister at a local level. “Many retirees’ post-retirement plans are being built around missions,” Johnson said.

Although boomers are sometimes branded as members of a very self-centered and individualistic generation, many are experiencing a deepening desire to give back. They are coming to realize that significance is found in looking beyond oneself, studies show. Christian organizations, such as Wycliffe Associates, believe they have a great opportunity to match mature, highly-honed skills with ministry opportunities.

Although boomers are sometimes branded as members of a very self-centered and individualistic generation, many are experiencing a deepening desire to give back.

“It’s cheaper these days to go overseas. The entire world is more accessible,” said Huyett. “Today’s 60-year-old is mature and needs far less training in living skills than his or her younger counterpart. Traditionally, mission organizations send new missionaries in their 20s and 30s through an orientation process, like a jungle camp, to learn how to survive the harsh living conditions in the field. But a person in his or her 50s and above has triumphed through their productive years and has built-in strategies for success.”