You’ve heard of digital nomads — people who work remotely and travel the world. But have you heard of digital nomad missionaries? Okay, maybe it’s not a popular concept yet, but we hope it will become so.

• Does the idea of being a digital nomad intrigue you?
• Are you an adventurist with a heart for people and cultures?
• Do you love Jesus and want to be part of God’s greatest adventure?

Keep reading.

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Who are digital nomads?

Digital nomadism exploded in the remote work environment of the Covid pandemic, but the lifestyle has been practiced since the early 1990s. The number of digital nomads more than doubled in two years during the pandemic, and, in 2024, more than 18 million digital nomads were roaming the planet.

Digital nomads are location-independent, meaning they move around with or without a home base. But they’re not free-loaders; they hold steady jobs, often in remote or freelance work like teaching, writing, design, or computer programming. They spend much of their days working online while passing their non-work hours traveling or exploring.

For many digital nomads, the lure is adventure. They’re motivated by the opportunity to experience different cultures, afforded by a flexible work schedule, said digital nomad Dalton Johnson.

How that plays out looks different. Some digital nomads hop from country to country, staying no more than a few weeks in one place. Others choose to spend months or even years in a single location. Some see their overseas stint as an extended trip; others make it a lifestyle for decades.

While the digital nomad lifestyle comes with challenges (discussed below), the benefits are obvious. And for nomads who are also Christians, the benefits translate well to engaging in Christian mission work along the way.

Digital nomads are motivated by experiencing different cultures and a flexible work schedule.

Digital nomads and Christian missions

What if digital nomads weren’t only in it for the fun? What if they wanted to make an impact in the world and on every person they met? What if they were motivated by God’s heart for all cultures? Then their time abroad could be more than just adventure — it could be transformative for the kingdom.

Ashley Penny, founder of Travelher Co., wrote in her blog “Globetrotting Gospel,” “With the rise of remote work and ‘digital nomads,’ there’s a growing opportunity for believers to use professional skills to serve and share their faith from anywhere in the world, opening up a new era in [the] world of missions.”

Penny goes on to say, “At its core, remote work is all about flexibility and freedom. And when you combine that with the call to missions (making disciples of all nations), the possibilities are endless.”

What if Christian digital nomads saw themselves first as disciple-makers on mission for Christ wherever they went? If just 1 out of 10 of the 18 million current nomads took this mindset, that would be 1.8 million disciple-makers added to the global missionary force. 

To take it a step further, what if they saw themselves not as location-independent free-floaters but as short-term missionaries? What if they chose a single location, engaged with long-term missionaries there, and joined them in building relationships with locals and investing in the community for the duration of their stay?

They would still get to fulfill their original motivation of experiencing a new culture — now in an even deeper way. And they could still work their remote job to maintain their income. But they would be surrounded by a community of other believers — fighting the biggest nomad challenge of loneliness — and would be making an eternal impact that would outlive their time abroad.

If you’re thinking about becoming a digital nomad, you can fulfill your travel dreams and help fulfill the Great Commission at the same time. Consider what kind of experience and legacy you want from your time abroad. Choose to make the most of this season not only for your own life but for the sake of Jesus’ kingdom as well.

If 1 out of 10 of the 18 million digital nomads had a mindset of being on mission for Christ, that would be 1.8 million disciple-makers added to the global missionary force.

Considerations for digital nomads

Here are some things you might be thinking about as you dream and plan for your global life. How might engaging in mission work help you navigate these successfully?

1. Remote work
   To make living abroad sustainable, you’ll need steady work and a place with reliable internet access to do it. You’ll also need to commit time to working, just like you would if you were in the U.S. Whether that’s regularly scheduled workdays and a 40-hour workweek or more flexible hours with a freelance gig, your job will take up the majority of your days, so make sure it’s something you want to do. Choosing to link up with a team of missionaries who are also committed to their full-time roles can help you stay focused when it’s time to work.
   
   
2. Visa
   It’s important to enter and stay legally in the country you’re living in. Many countries now offer extended-stay visas to remote workers, many of which are for a period of one year or longer with the opportunity for renewal. That means you can live there legally for potentially several years as long as you’re maintaining proof of remote work and appropriate income. See Global Citizen Solutions’ list of countries offering digital nomad visas.
   
   Some countries also offer a similar visa to retirees who meet age and income requirements. If you want to make an impact through your retirement years and spend your time intentionally for the kingdom, consider a retirement visa and find fulfillment as a second-career missionary.
   
   
3. Insurance
   Though healthcare is less expensive in most other parts of the world, you’ll still need health insurance to make sure you’re covered. If your job doesn’t cover your health insurance, becoming a member of a missions organization like Crossworld can give you access to group medical coverage. 
   
   
4. Cultural adjustment
   If you plan to stay in any location longer than a month or two, you’re going to experience culture shock. It usually begins to hit around month three, according to Now Health International. Besides the culture itself, you’ll need to adjust to navigating a new climate and transportation options, hearing a new language, eating new foods, choosing new brands at the store, and finding new service providers like doctors and hair stylists.
   
   All of this can take a toll on you emotionally and physically. Trying to do it on your own can lead to burnout or worse. But with a missions community around you, you’ll have people who have been in your shoes and successfully navigated the transition. Their comfort and advice will encourage you to keep going, even on frustrating days.
   
   
   Connecting with a Christian community will be important for you to avoid isolation and thrive as a cross-cultural family abroad.
   
   
5. Family
   Traveling solo is one thing. Traveling with a spouse and children means you need to make sure your plan will work for everyone. Each member of your family will experience cultural adjustment and transition differently. Do you have adequate support for each of you? Will you have access to appropriate healthcare for family members and their medical needs? Will you have consistent and quality education for your kids? What will the family do while you’re working?
   
   Jumping into a missionary community can help you address, if not solve, these issues. A supportive network of believers will give your family consistent relationships across age ranges, and they’ll have the wisdom of experience to share on healthcare and education options in the area. You might be able to survive on your own for a while, but connecting with a long-term community will be important for you to thrive as a family abroad.
   
   
6. Community
   Remote work expert Rowena Hennigan said, “One of the biggest (and least talked about) challenges of this lifestyle is the loneliness and isolation.” What feels like freedom at the beginning of your digital nomad adventure can feel like isolation after just a few weeks or months.
   
   Online communities like Nomads.com and Global Nomad Guide can help you learn about your location and connect you with other expats in your area. Better yet, plug into a local church or missions community where you can find like-minded believers and be strengthened in your faith.
   
   

How to become a digital nomad

Ready to hit the road (or skies) on your digital nomad life? Here’s how to make it happen.

1. Find a job.
   If you don’t already have a remote-work job that allows you to travel, search online or on digital nomad sites with job boards. Just make sure the time zone difference will fit with your required work hours. You can also choose to do freelance work within your professional skillset. It’s a good idea to get your freelance business up and running before you start traveling to ensure you’ll have enough work and a sustainable income.
   
   
2. Choose a location.
   If you plan to stay in one location, choose a country that’s affordable on your income and is sustainable in terms of climate and healthcare. If you’re going with kingdom intentionality, choose a country that’s also least-reached with the gospel. Check out the Joshua Project or Operation World to read about people groups and mission work happening in your country of interest.
   
   
   Choose a country that’s affordable, sustainable for your needs, and that has ministry opportunities among the least-reached.
   
   
3. Secure a visa.
   You can’t go without it! Explore visa options online, and make sure you meet the requirements before you apply.
   
   
4. Talk to a missions agency.
   Missions organizations have decades of experience in international travel and cultural transitions. At Crossworld, we’re also experts in helping you use your profession to make disciples abroad. Even if you decide not to join an agency, you’ll still get valuable advice and resources to help you avoid pitfalls and succeed in your global life.
   
   

Resources for Christian digital nomads

• Nomads on Mission | This site for missions-minded digital nomads offers links, resources, and networking.
• Living and Working Abroad webinar | This free webinar from Crossworld will help you frame your digital nomad life within the Great Commission and give you valuable resources you need for cross-cultural and global work.
• A Better Way: Make Disciples Wherever Life Happens | This book by Dale Losch examines the power of real disciple-making through believers in the global marketplace.
  
  

A kingdom adventure awaits

The rise of digital nomadism has opened doors to global adventure. But for followers of Jesus, it’s more than just a lifestyle trend — it’s a kingdom opportunity.

Whether you’re a remote worker, a freelancer, or a retiree, your mobility can serve a higher mission: bringing God’s love to life around the world. As a Christian digital nomad, you can live and work anywhere — and make disciples everywhere you go.

So, what’s stopping you? The world is waiting. Let your journey be more than scenic views and social posts. Let it be a life poured out for Christ as you explore his world and engage his global mission. 

Be a digital nomad on mission. Let your work take you places, and let your faith leave a mark. Talk to a Crossworld coach about your dream today.

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