Preaching the gospel is one of the greatest privileges a person can have, but it is also one of the most exhausting. As a Christ for All Nations-trained evangelist, I know this struggle firsthand. On outreach, we preach 7 to 10 times a day, often repeating the same message over and over, sometimes under the scorching African sun. Mentally, our energy drains quickly. Spiritually, we can feel empty. Emotionally, our tanks run low. We crave connection, mental clarity, and a soul that is supercharged by God.

My hope is that these insights will inspire you and help you find rest for your spirit and mind. We are in this together. Here are some things I have learned on the mission field that help me endure while proclaiming the gospel to the nations.

1. Be Thankful

Stress, traffic, delays, and rejection from leaders can easily push us toward negativity. Without intentionally countering it, our minds drift toward frustration and discouragement. Gratitude is the antidote.

At the end of each day, I write down three to five things I am grateful for. Sometimes they are simple, like “I am grateful for the nice lunch we had with our team.” Other times, they are deeply meaningful.

For example, one day after outreach, a teenage boy approached me. He admitted he had been disrupting the class but wanted to change. We prayed together, and I could see that God had truly forgiven him. His face radiated peace. He left as a child of God.

Writing gratitude, not just thinking or saying it, reprograms the mind to focus on what is good. Use a notebook or your phone, such as Google Keep, to capture these moments. When we revisit these reflections, they remind us why we do what we do and redirect our minds away from negativity.

2. Keep a Daily Journal

John Wesley and George Whitefield journaled daily, and their lives demonstrate the spiritual and mental benefits of this practice. Writing down your thoughts is a powerful way to process stress and celebrate victories.

Even when it feels like a chore, take 10 to 15 minutes to jot down:

Victories from the day
Fears and worries
Challenges and breakthroughs

Recording these things allows your brain to rest. Over time, your journal becomes a treasure trove of encouragement, showing how God has been faithful throughout your ministry. It also gives perspective when days feel long or overwhelming.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is essential. On the mission field, our bodies and minds face new cultures, language barriers, strange roads, and team pressures. Even if our bodies resist, we need rest.

If you are tired, sleep. Trying to push through fatigue reduces creativity, patience, and self-control. Sleep is like fuel for the soul and mind. On outreach nights, I aim for eight to nine hours. Sometimes seven hours is not enough. Proper rest sharpens our minds, lifts our spirits, and makes us far more effective in ministry.

4. Limit Screen Time

Social media is a hidden energy drain. On the mission field, we often want to share our experiences, but endless scrolling is a trap. I usually delete Instagram and Facebook, reinstalling them only when needed to post updates.

A few simple rules help me stay focused:

No screens in the first hour after waking
No screens one hour before bed

Instead, read the Bible, journal, spend time in nature, take a shower, organize your space, or prepare for the next day. Even small changes, like putting your phone away while traveling, can improve focus, energy, and quality of sleep.

5. Preplan Your Days Off

Rest does not happen automatically. It must be intentional. On my last trip, Saturday was my day off. I woke up later than usual, around 9 a.m., took a hike overlooking the city, enjoyed a quiet meal, and called my dad. On Sunday, after preaching in the morning, I visited a museum, played soccer with children at an orphanage, and spent time chatting and teaching them English. That weekend fully recharged me.

Plan one or two meaningful activities rather than trying to do too much. After a long week around people, the best restoration often comes from a balance of solitude and connection. Jot down a few ideas, discuss them with your team, and keep your plans simple.

6. Maintain a Healthy Balance Between Solitude and Community

Everyone needs time away from noise, but isolation can become harmful. Healthy solitude allows us to recharge spiritually.

“Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (Luke 5:16). We need the same. Spend time in prayer, Bible reading, or reflection. Reading Scripture aloud can help clear your mind when your thoughts are scattered.

At the same time, humans are designed for community. Laugh with teammates, share meals, call a faithful friend, and enjoy worship together. A balanced approach between solitude and fellowship keeps the mind clear and the spirit nourished.

7. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is essential for physical, mental, and spiritual health. It releases tension, sharpens your mind, and improves sleep. Even a short, intense workout can make a big difference.

I keep my workouts short and intense: jump rope, sprints, planks, burpees, or shadow boxing. Sometimes only 15 to 20 minutes. Christian rap in my earbuds helps me stay motivated. Exercise releases stress, fear, and anxiety from the day, leaving me energized and ready for the next outreach.

8. Know When to Rest

God is the Lord of the harvest, he is in control of all.

If you feel drained, start slurring your words, or stumble over sentences, it is time to rest. Call your leader, explain the situation, and take a break. Burnout is a warning, not a weakness. Listening to your body prevents long-term harm and keeps you effective in ministry.

9. Switch Things Up

As a youth crusade evangelist at Christ for All Nations, I preach the same 20-minute message multiple times a day. It can feel like a tape recorder, but each child is hearing it for the first time, so I preach as if it is my last.

Still, routine can become monotonous. That is when I mix things up:

Pray with teenagers individually
Visit prisons
Spend time at orphanages
Teach English to children

Adding variety refreshes both mind and heart. Small diversions make the routine manageable while keeping your message sharp and impactful.

10. Surrender Everything to God

Conflict and tension are unavoidable. Bitterness is one of the fastest ways to burnout.

Take the humble approach:

Apologize when needed
Forgive quickly
Take offenses to God
Talk to your leader when necessary

Let go of bitterness before it poisons your heart. Burnout often comes from obsessing over people or circumstances. Surrender is the key. God restores and guides those who depend on Him.

Conclusion: Rest is Holy

God created rest and called it holy. If He rested on the seventh day, how much more do we need it? Proper rest clears the mind, refreshes the soul, and strengthens us to serve in His Kingdom with excellence.

These principles have helped me stay joyful, energized, and spiritually focused on the mission field. My prayer is that they will help you become a healthier, stronger, and more effective minister of the gospel. “May the same heart that was in Christ be in you” (Philippians 2:5).

10 Proven Ways to Avoid Burnout on the Mission Field