Our Story of Overcoming Reverse Culture Shock
We lived and served in Israel for almost 10 years. We did not have a sending church but went on our own, following God’s leading. Most of the people who were serving with us did not have a sending church. We returned to the states to be near our aging parents. When we returned, we had to start all over. We didn’t have jobs waiting for us, no place to stay, no vehicle, no insurance, no furniture, no church to support us spiritually. Fatigue set in quickly.
The people were not the same, the culture was different. In our case, the stores were overwhelming. We returned to an America that was very different then when we left it. Family dynamics were not what we expected. We were outsiders and no longer had a community of people that we could rely on.
No one understood what we were going through, except those that had returned before us, who were also struggling to adjust to their new situations. Depression was easy to fall into. We had given everything to follow God and now we felt like we were being kicked to the curb, punished or forgotten. We began to realize that there is a need for a landing place where you can work through your thoughts and emotions with people who have lived through it. From our experiences, Return Again was born.
Our Vision:
To ensure that ministry workers who left everything to serve others never face their homecoming alone—where every returning ministry worker finds restoration for their souls and a loving community to guide them into their next chapter of impact.
Our Purpose:
Every year, thousands of ministry workers step off planes onto American soil, carrying invisible burdens from their service abroad. They've poured out their lives in distant places, witnessing both profound suffering and miraculous transformation. Now they're home—but home doesn't feel like home anymore.
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They face a silent crisis: Where will they live while raising support? How will they get around without a car? Who understands the weight they carry from what they've seen and experienced? How do they rebuild their lives while processing years of cultural displacement?
This is why we exist. We create sanctuaries of restoration where these faithful servants find more than just a bed and transportation—they discover a community that truly understands their journey. In our safe haven, a ministry worker can finally exhale after years of holding their breath in challenging circumstances.
Here, they're not alone as they wrestle with reverse culture shock or wonder if they'll ever feel at home again. We walk with them through the complex emotions of transition, and provide spiritual guidance as they discern God's next calling. Extensive resources offer practical tools for rebuilding their lives.
Most importantly, we give them something priceless: time. Time to rest without financial pressure. Time to process their experiences. Time to hear God's voice clearly again. Time to emerge renewed in body, mind, and spirit—ready for whatever beautiful purpose awaits them next.
Because those who gave everything to serve others abroad deserve a homecoming that honors their sacrifice and prepares them for their next chapter of impact.
​Our Goals:
Every ministry worker returning again to the US leaves renewed, restored, and ready for their next chapter—whether going back overseas, beginning a new ministry, or transitioning to a different calling."
Our Team.
Every member of our board has lived the journey you're on. We've served overseas, experienced the joys and challenges of cross-cultural ministry, and navigated the often-unexpected complexity of coming home. We know firsthand that returning can be harder than leaving—and that the struggles are real, valid, and shared by more people than you might think.
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We're not former ministry workers who've moved on. We're still active in ministry, serving in various capacities both stateside and internationally. This keeps us grounded in the current realities of ministry life and reentry, not just our memories of it.
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Our team gets both sides of the transition. We understand the spiritual questions—the identity shifts, the loss of purpose, the feeling of being caught between two worlds. And we understand the practical challenges—finding healthcare, securing housing, rebuilding careers, and figuring out where you fit in a culture that feels strangely foreign.
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You're not alone in this. We've been there, and we're here to walk alongside you.
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​Return Again offers a haven for ministry workers grappling with reverse culture shock. Here, they find a supportive community and resources to help them transition back to life in the U.S. with purpose and clarity. Our mission is to provide time and tools for renewal, ensuring these individuals feel valued and prepared for their next chapter. By addressing the challenges of reverse culture shock, we empower ministry workers to continue making a meaningful impact.