Steps to Becoming a Missionary
Being called into the mission field can be overwhelming to even the most seasoned of ministers. To be led by God into the mission field without any prior experience in ministry can seem next to impossible. To become a missionary is an extremely challenging and nerve-racking experience, but if you are truly led by God, He will provide you with the peace and direction that you and your family will need.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
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Contact a mission agency. Speak to your pastor or to your denominational headquarters to locate an agency that will help you to fullfil your call as a missionary. Mission agencies will be able to offer valuable knowledge in preparing for a specific mission field. They will also be able to assist you in getting to the desired location to begin your mission work. Look in the Resources section below for links to various mission organizations.
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Undergo your training. Training for the mission field can be done in the church, in your home and in formal instructional programs. Once you recieve the spiritual call in your heart to become a missionary, you must prepare for your calling. If you feel that your mission field is in a foreign country, then you should begin to learn that particular language.
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Participate in short-term mission trips. Before diving into the new lifestyle that God has bestowed upon you, you should take short mission trips to the location that you feel led. By slowly becoming accustomed to the culture, you will feel more comfortable and confident when you enter the mission field full-time.
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Learn to be dependent. You must learn to be completely dependent upon God. He will lead you where you should go, and you should listen to His prompting. It is a challenge to have to battle with your flesh when God has called you to a place where you do not want to go. Just as Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh, you may find yourself in the same struggle. Listen to God and follow His command.
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Be open to communication styles. When you go into an unfamiliar location, you should become familiar with the local customs and expectations of the people. When being placed in the midst of a heathenistic environment, the people who you are trying to minister to might be intimidated by you or even feel threatened by you and your "ideas." Familiarize yourself with the local customs by personally communicating with the people. You will need to earn their trust.
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Tips & Warnings
Work in the mission field can also be done at home by participating in community events sponsored by local churches.
Never to go into the mission field without preparation.
