What are the advantages of long-term missions?
How can I know if God is leading me to become a missionary?
Are there missionaries who have gone even though initially they had no desire to go?
» more related questionsQ: How long should I plan to go -- one year, two years, or longer?
A: Start with two years
- Incarnation: Jesus modeled for us how to do ministry and mission. Two years is long enough to live among a people, develop relationships and allow them to see and know Christ.
- Life Transformation: Those that go for two years will develop life long habits, faith postures and global paradigms that will affect how they see the world and how they live the rest of their lives in a way that short term missions cannot.
- Seize the Season: Now is the season to go and follow Christ to the least reached. Take the time between jobs or before launching a career to go and help propel their understanding and involvement in their role in God's global purpose.
- Life Transformation: Those that go for two years will develop life long habits, faith postures and global paradigms that will affect how they see the world and how they live the rest of their lives in a way that short term missions cannot.
- Seize the Season: Now is the season to go and follow Christ to the least reached. Take the time between jobs or before launching a career to go and help propel their understanding and involvement in their role in God's global purpose.
A: Spend at least two years for language learning.
If you're going to the field and need to learn a new language, it would make sense to spend at least two years. Learning a new language is a critical aspect to serving the people of your new country and can take quite a time to be able to discuss the gospel in their native language. If you are only there for one year, you'll just be getting comfortable with the language before you leave.
A: A lifetime
If you're going to commit to reaching the unreached--be a lifer. Missionary pioneer Adoniram Judson said:
"In commencing my remarks, I take you as you are. You are contemplating a missionary life. First, then, let it be a missionary life; that is, come out for life, and not for a limited term. Do not fancy that you have a true missionary spirit, while you are intending all along to leave the heathen soon after acquiring their language. Leave them for what? To spend the rest of your days in enjoying the ease and plenty of your native land?"
"In commencing my remarks, I take you as you are. You are contemplating a missionary life. First, then, let it be a missionary life; that is, come out for life, and not for a limited term. Do not fancy that you have a true missionary spirit, while you are intending all along to leave the heathen soon after acquiring their language. Leave them for what? To spend the rest of your days in enjoying the ease and plenty of your native land?"
