6 Steps on the Missionary Path

Almost anyone can be a missionary, provided they have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, are living obediently in His will, and have a passion for the lost. You don’t have to be a pastor or have taught a Bible class for years. College graduates with degrees in engineering, chemistry, elementary education, or almost anything else, can be missionaries. Married or single.  Professional training or none. Male and female. And age is not an impediment – there are people in their 70s and 80s, serving today as missionaries.   

However, becoming a missionary isn’t just a notion or feeling one has on Tuesday and leaves for the mission field on Friday. As with any significant task, the more well-prepared you are before undertaking the challenge, the greater likelihood of your success and longevity.  

So here are a few tips for anyone considering becoming a missionary.

1.    OBEDIENCE:  Read the Bible.

• Make sure you research, read, and understand what the Bible says about ‘going to the nations.’

• Examine your motivation. Missionary service is not ‘international tourism.’ As exciting as your ‘short-term’ mission trip may have been, it is not a true reflection of moving your life and family to another country. As fulfilling as it is, serving as a career missionary is not an easy road.

• Honestly answer the question ‘Am I willing to follow wherever God leads?’

2.    PRAYER:  Pray about it first.      

• Ask God to confirm His calling to you and your spouse, if married.

• Ask God to confirm (both spouses) the feelings that He wants you to go to another nation or people group, share Jesus, and make disciples.

• Ask two or three other friends to pray with you.

• Ask your church to pray as well.

• Seek general spiritual consensus from all of these areas.

3.    SPOUSE & KIDS:  If you’re married, make sure your spouse and kids are on board and involved in this decision. Your children will respond to your decision in different ways.

• Kids birth – 5 generally identify with their parents, wherever they go.

• Kids 6 – 11 need to be well informed. Missions will mean changes for them.

• Kids 12 – 18 need to thoroughly understand and support this calling.

• If you have children with special needs, consider resources available on the mission field (often zero). You may also consider focusing on reaching people groups who are in your own country.

4.    SENDING CHURCH:  (See Acts 13;1-3; 15:40; 18:23)

• Find a local church that has a heart for missions. Talk to the pastor or church leadership about their heart for reaching the nations.

• You might not have a “sending church,” per se. But to the best of your ability, it is wise to involve your local church in your decision-making and support process.

5.    VISA PLATFORM:  This is your “reason” for living in your new country.

• Entry question: “What will you do here, to bring value to our people?” In the majority of nations today, your answer can’t be, “missionary.”

• For most countries, ‘tourism’ is a valid reason for a short-term visit. But if you plan on long-term residency (as a ‘missionary’) you will need to answer the question ‘what is the purpose of your visit?’

• Most countries want newcomers to bring a skill that their own people may lack or can be of value to their people.

• A visa platform can be a purpose that elevates the country’s status or well-being or a program or job that serves the country’s people in a genuine and meaningful way.

• Consider what you already have…. What is your training/education? What professional work experience do you have? What is your skill set? How has God specifically gifted you? What unique talents and skills has He given you?  There are many opportunities to use your unique talents, skills, and training almost anywhere in the world. Start by looking for international jobs in your area of expertise.

6.    SENDING AGENCY:  Using a missionary-sending agency like GlobalGrace Fellowship is a good way to ensure that you and your family will receive the level of support needed before and during your missionary assignment.

• Training: A good sending agency will offer multiple levels of training and resources, and opportunities to develop skill-sets before leaving for the mission field and for continued development once you’re on the field. Some will offer multi-week/month face-to-face training, and others will offer training resources for various topics. It is important to choose an agency that will make sure you are well prepared for the work you are doing.

• Teaming: A good sending agency will help form a team around you and your family. The team – including family, friends, church, and the mission sending agency should provide good support through prayer, and continual communication.

• Logistical help: A good sending agency will provide help in the coordination of international travel, visa processing, and insurance.

• Finance management: A good sending agency will provide an excellent level of financial management, keeping track of your donors and funding, and managing your cash flow to the field.

• Member care: A good sending agency will offer easy access to a supportive member care network providing confidential professional care for your family’s mental and emotional needs. Ideally, the agency staff should include a professional, seasoned, dedicated Member Care director with strong pastoral, psychological, and Member Care experience.  This person should be available anytime for all missionaries and able to aid you in the processing of any issues.

• Crisis response: A good sending agency will provide crisis management training and have well-developed contingencies for crisis response.

Serving as a missionary involves much more than just packing your bags. This is an important decision with long-term consequences. Your church, your family, and your mission sending agency are all critical components in making a wise decision. Regardless of your decision-making progress… it always helps to talk with someone who understands.

The GlobalGrace team is ready to talk with you, pray with you and give some guidance in your decision-making. Contact us and make an appointment to look at your options for missionary service.

Dr. John Splinter serves as the Director of Staff Development for GlobalGrace.