Becoming a missionary is an enormous decision. Those who decide to be missionaries are selecting a noble occupation. Not many individuals decide to dedicate their lives to missionary work; nevertheless, those who do reap a harvest of service to God. Many people have the false belief that missionary work is all sacrifice and no reward, but this couldn’t be farther from the reality. Missionary work may be very fulfilling, exciting, and purposeful.
There are many people who find themselves to start with stages of considering whether or not they wish to be a missionary. If you might be one in every of these people, know that you simply are right to take your time in considering the trail you must go. Missionary work takes an incredible amount of labor in addition to dedication. If you’re going to be a missionary, you’ll want to concentrate on this stuff to ensure that you to be prepared for the challenges that you’ll face.
Do I Have to Have a Calling?
There is a big misnomer throughout the Christian community that one has to have a “calling” to be able to change into a missionary. This comes from Paul’s vision of the Macedonians as recorded in Acts 16:9-12. Even though Paul had this vision doesn’t mean all believers could have a divine vision, by which we’re told where to go. Rather, Jesus has already given us the command to exit and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
In this manner, we see that missionary work shouldn’t be only reserved for specific people or the “spiritually elite.” Rather, Jesus has commanded all people to share the message of the gospel. You should not have to have a vision or specific calling to change into a missionary. The Lord has already told us that as soon as we change into followers of Him, we also have to go and make more disciples.
Notice the Lord doesn’t say “make converts.” The Lord says to make disciples of all nations. Disciples are those that faithfully follow the Lord, obey His teachings, and have proper doctrine. When we see this, we all know the emphasis the Lord places on making strong, discipled followers of Christ moderately than simply helping a number of people change into baby Christians. Discipled believers will have the option to exit and make much more disciples, thus expanding God’s kingdom even further.
Therefore, all of us have been given a command, nevertheless it is as much as us to wish, read the Word, and discern where God will use us as missionaries. All believers have only two options: to make disciples (whether domestic or abroad) or to disobey God’s command. It’s that easy. The Lord wants us to decide on the previous moderately than the latter. For too long, believers have been inactive in missionary work, whether at a neighborhood soup kitchen or visiting one other country to ascertain a church or partner with an orphanage.
If we’re truly going to obey Jesus, now we have to meet the Great Commission.
Consulting God in Prayer
If you doubt whether you would like to change into a missionary or not, go to God in prayer and seek the advice of Him. While He is not going to provide you with divine revelation, He will help instruct you in the best way you must go. God wants you to do mission work or to be involved in missions not directly or one other. Even if people have told you that you simply are “not cut out” for missionary work, don’t hearken to them. In the identical way, even in the event you are rejected by mission agencies, know that this doesn’t mean you must stop pursuing mission work.
I even have been told by many people who I’m not cut out for missionary work. After completing a missions internship, I used to be told by multiple missionary families that mission work was not my calling. Prior to this internship, I used to be certain throughout college that I desired to be a missionary and that’s what I believed God wanted me to do. With each negative review from each missionary family, I felt increasingly more that I used to be not ok to be a missionary.
I struggle with various mental illnesses, which has caused many individuals throughout the Christian community to look down on me, including the families I stayed with in addition to many mission agencies. If you might be someone who also struggles with mental health issues, know that this doesn’t disqualify you from doing mission work. Jesus doesn’t say only those that are 100% healthy in mind and body can go on the mission field. Instead, we see Jesus telling all people to exit to make disciples of all nations—not only the healthy and well.
You are greater than qualified to be a missionary in the event you know Jesus as your Savior, love Him, and love others. While there’s training involved in missionary work, know that no person can inform you that you simply are usually not ok to be a missionary. Don’t allow another person to derail you out of your desire to be a missionary. I even have let other people control my selections for too long, and I don’t want the identical to occur with you. You generally is a missionary if that is how you would like to live your life.
Training and Preparation
If you’ve got made the choice to change into a missionary, know that you have to training and preparation. If you’ve got not attended a Christian college or a Bible college, consider taking some courses in missions or intercultural studies. It is very important to be knowledgeable about cultures and other religions since you will encounter them on the mission field. Many people make the error that every one cultures are relatively the identical, but this shouldn’t be true—in any respect.
You need to check up on the culture of wherever you go and learn all you may in regards to the people group. Learn about their belief systems, their family dynamics, and what they imagine about spiritual matters. All of this stuff will have the option to allow you to on the mission field. It is important to be knowledgeable in regards to the people group you’re going to because without being knowledgeable about them, you’ll fail to successfully share the Gospel with them.
Take your time as you prepare for mission work and proceed to wish over all matters. You could have to boost your personal support, which may be very difficult. As someone who shouldn’t be a natural persuader, it was very difficult for me to boost funds for my mission internship. I needed to get a grant from the mission agency I used to be going with to go on my internship. That said, even in the event you don’t raise enough funds, know that many agencies have backup funds to allow you to get fully supported in the event you didn’t raise enough.
Raising funds is a full-time job; nevertheless, many colleges and agencies offer training and classes on this very topic. You could have to achieve out to friends, family, and possibly other churches in your area in the event you are going to enter full-time missionary work. It can take a few years before you might be fully funded, but try to maintain up your exertions and proceed to lean on the Lord throughout your journey. You generally is a missionary because God has already called you to do that very thing. Don’t allow anyone to inform you otherwise.
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