Avant Homecoming: Our Annual Family Reunion

For many missionaries, the idea of “home” is complicated. Is home where we were born? Where we grew up? Is it where we serve in missions? Is it where we land during home assignments, or where we end up when we leave the field? Can we have more than one place we call home?

Missionaries with Avant would give a resounding “yes” to every one of those questions. We do have many “homes,” but a very special one is the International Service Center in Kansas City. For one short week each fall, our retired missionaries and alumni gather together for a conference we fondly call Homecoming (despite the glaring lack of any football games or parades!). Avant has been hosting this event for decades, and for the past three years, it has been my absolute joy to serve as coordinator.

Earlier this month, I sent out a reflection questionnaire to those who attended. The responses were unanimous: it is a beloved event! Listen to some of the answers:

How would you describe Homecoming to someone who has never been?

Homecoming is a gift. This gift, because of God's grace in all our lives, is a sweet time of fellowship, an exciting time to catch up with old friends and meet new ones, a wonderful rest on good comfy beds, and a time to rest spiritually as we are fed with good reflections on God's Word.

We are reminded as retirees that our years of ministry were worth every minute—that WE are still worth something—and that our work continues.

What was one highlight for you this year?

Realizing that as retirees we are still very much an important part of this wonderful ministry. Seeing and watching so many of the leaders and staff serve us and mingle as we got to share in the wonderful meals and meetings. It was very important for us since we had never gone to hear about all that God is doing in and through Avant Ministries around the entire world!!

The speaker, who spoke so personally to all of us missionaries—people who have experienced many seasons of waiting. We are in the final waiting room for God to take us home—at different places, but we were challenged to remember we are not alone; we have the Holy Spirit living in us.

What was one unexpected blessing?

Seeing the Hall of Faithful Servants who had been with the Mission for 20 or more years. Getting to know new people.

Pastor Dan's teaching really spoke to my heart. We rarely hear sermons on lamenting. I appreciated his transparency and his life stories of obeying God when it didn't make sense to him.

Thank you for these great thoughts, everyone. I couldn’t have said it better!

From my perspective, having had many homes throughout my life, Homecoming truly feels like a family reunion, with brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and grandparents flying and driving in from all over North America and beyond to enjoy being together again. It has become an anchor for me, knowing that each year I will get to spend time with dear people who were such a huge encouragement when we were field missionaries and who have continued to pray earnestly for us since the Lord brought us back to serve in North America.

Several of our retirees commented that they feel “spoiled” when they come to Avant Homecoming. That’s the whole idea! As our core value of Care states:

We reflect God's heart through faithful, compassionate care for others, both those we serve and those we serve alongside.

The apostle Paul sums it up perfectly in our 2026 theme verse:

So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:8

We are so very grateful to God for the faithfulness of his dear servants, and it is our act of worship to him to offer this time and space for our retirees to gather together and be refreshed. What a wonderful place to come home to, for all of us! As one retiree wrote in their response, it is a little taste of heaven. Imagine with me what an incredible Homecoming that will be!

Lori O'Day serves as Homecoming Coordinator and is also the Application and Language Acquisition Coach for new members. She is married to Avant's President Phil O'Day.

Ministry Doesn’t End at Retirement. Neither Does Our Care.

At Avant, we believe retirement is not the end of a missionary's calling, it's a new season of impact. That's why we stay connected with our retired missionaries year-round, offering encouragement and support. Read this inspiring story and discover how God continues to work through our missionaries in retirement.

Read the Story

The missionaries who spent decades sharing the gospel should never have to walk their retirement years alone. Through Retired Missionary Assistance, Avant provides practical support for retired missionaries facing financial challenges, helping meet essential needs and reminding them they remain a valued part of the Avant family. Caring for our retirees is a year-round commitment, not just a Homecoming event.

Support Our Retirees