Q: Can I become a missionary even though I am divorced?

I got saved from a life of alcoholism and crime at the age of 31 and was called onto the mission field three months after my salvation. I have now been involved in missions since 1976. Remember, God is a God of love and forgiveness. He is a God who has something for you to do. After all, you are still on earth and not in heaven.

I am also sure that any mission organization would be interested in what spiritual steps you have taken to heal from your divorce. Of course, there are some that would not accept you because of that divorce. But we would!

You can be whatever God wants you to be. If He is still calling you into cross-cultural mission work, He will open the doors. I work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Our policy on divorce is to look at each case individually. I know that's not the case with every mission agency.

If you feel a calling to a particular organization, then contact them and begin the relationship. As they get to know you and you get to know them, it will soon become clear whether divorce will be an insurmountable roadblock or not. There will be some discouraging times as you correspond with different people, but persevere. Keep the vision God has given you. Don't let divorce stand in your way of pursuing what God has laid on your heart.

As decade or two ago the answer would have been definitely not. But that has changed and many mission agencies will consider each case individually. On the field where I work there is a divorced single man, and also a divorced-and-remarried woman. Start inquiring and don't be discouraged if you get some negative answers. Keep at it because there are agencies want you.

The book Against All Odds (c. 1996) is the autobiography of by Jim Stier, a recent int'l President of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). This 150 page autobiography shares how in the face of overwhelming odds the desire to reach the unreached in Brazil became a permanent international outreach touching thousands of lives. Jim's youthful marriage fell apart almost as quick as it began. Yet he remarried and became a missionary. Available from YWAM Publishing.

Learn about:
1) How mission agencies are dealing with divorce.
2) How a few religions and cultures view divorce.
3) Why tentmaking may be a good option.
4) Considerations and recommendations in view of biblical, cultural and religious factors.

Read Ruth Siemen's article: http://www.globalopps.org/papers/divorced.htm

Disclaimer: The following answer has not been reviewed or edited.

This is not necessarily an answer but I was a missionary in Kenya for 6 years. I became born again after my divorces and am to this day a virgin in Christ for the last 15 years. I went to Africa without a mission board and later was granted a work permit by PEFA, Pentacostal Evangelical Fellowship of Africa. I started an orpahange for newborns. My suggestion is...Why don’t we start an organization for divorcees in missions? God can used cracked pots!!

Disclaimer: The following answer has not been reviewed or edited.

Hi,

The simple answer to your question is YES YOU CAN! However, there are experiences, challenges and victories that are unique to those of us who are divorced and serve or desire to serve in Christian missions.

There is a Yahoo group established for persons like us who come together to share our faith, experiences, challenges and victories.

You can find join us here. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SingleParentMissionary

God Bless you!