missionaries' methods apply back at home society, too?

Meeting missionary family on furlough after 2-3 years overseas, I learned about the hardships their main (allowing for Bible translation and delivery of printed copies in the native language of each social group), as well as secondary goals (giving English lessons or proof-reading, building social relationships of trust and mutual support, looking out for fellow missionaries, as well as the newly practicing local Christians). So much preparation and systems of support make this kind of frontier outreach possible. An analogy might be the pyramid shape of a big military campaign in which the front lines require many more workers backing them up, then the numbers visible at their sides. And yet, by imagining a similar missionary pyramidal organization at work in USA or another nominally Judeo-Christian a different picture emerges.

    When there is a church building, a program of activities and expectations, as well as a certain level of shared knowledge and history, as well as annual calendar of the Church Year and education materials in a language understood by newcomers and old timers, the work of engaging in substantive conversations and actions is much easier; the pyramid of support is not rooted in far away organizations contributing money, volunteers, money and other donations, not forgetting on-going prayer and letters. How do the two points of contact compare in the end: the new Christians who form relationships with missionaries on the one hand, and the old and somewhat new Christians who visit or get involved in worship, study and service in their native land, language and culture? Ignoring the material or financial measures and looking just at the hearts of people in both situations, does one have a stronger or weaker relationship with God and with one's neighbors? Does one have a wider (all encompassing) or narrower (pigeon holed) relationship; a deeper (penetrating from pleasantries to core identity and aspirations) or shallower relationship; an unshakable vs. fragile bond?

    In sum would any of the strategies for engaging local people that missionaries rely upon also work back home among longtime Christians and also the inexperienced new Christians back in the home society of the missionaries?