Lifting Up a Vision of Holiness
The Missionary Family delves into the complex role that missionary families play in the Protestant missionary movement. The presence of families in mission fields has both enabled and restricted the outreach of Protestant missions, raising unique concerns for the conduct of mission workers. Part 1 explores the significance of missionary families and their impact on missionary outreach, including the role of missionary children, their status, education, settlement, and contributions to the mission field.
However, the book also addresses a darker side of missionary work that has come to light in recent years: sexual abuse in mission settings. Part 2 examines difficult and pressing questions surrounding this issue, including how to understand allegations of abuse based on recovered memories. Through legal, historical, and psychological perspectives, the book offers insight into how the mission community can address this urgent issue. In addition, Part 3 features a forum on sexual orientation and mission. Fourteen evangelical scholars participate in a discussion that invites ongoing missiological conversation about a timely topic.
The Missionary Family offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted role of families in missionary work and provides valuable insights into addressing the serious concerns that have arisen within the mission community.

Dwight P. Baker served as associate editor of the International Bulletin of Missionary Research (2002-15). Prior to retirement he also served as program director and then associate director of the Overseas Ministries Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut (2002-11). Previously he was director of the World Christian Foundations study program at the U.S. Center for World Mission, Pasadena, California (1994-2001).
Robert J. Priest (PhD) is an anthropologist, a missiologist, and an evangelical Christian. He was born and grew up in Bolivia, where his parents served as linguist-missionaries among the Sirionó hunter-gatherers. He has taught Anthropology and Intercultural Studies at Taylor University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Columbia Biblical Seminary & School of Mission. He has written and edited numerous books and articles on missiology and anthropology.