Q: What words of encouragement would you give to those who are looking into full-time missions?

Before you leave, learn all you can about the country to which you plan to go. Lower your expectations so your culture shock is minimal. Focus on The Sender, Jesus. It is His Harvest and His Scheme or Plan to win the lost to His Kingdom, not ours. Go with your ears open to HIS plan and let Him be the LORD/boss of the Harvest. That way the most fruit will be gathered. His strategies are strange, and past finding out, at times. Yet He does not withhold anything from those who will trust and serve HIM and not themselves or their mission agency or even their own agenda.

The Harvest is HUGE! So many need a Savior and so many need training on how to lead people to Christ, and then to disciple them. In fact so many pastors need to be discipled themselves. There is a place just for you to fill. Let God show that place to you, and He’ll bless your socks right off! He is desperately looking for partners to do HIS work.

If God has called you, follow His call. If God has called you the provision is already there. If God has called you it's out of the boat and onto the water. By grace I've experienced giving it all away and GOing. There is no better life then His Life being our life. All needs are always met ... not to be confused with wants, whether ministry wants or whatever. Keep your eyes on the One Who calls. He is Faithful. He will do it!

If God has called you - then GO. My mistake was waiting for 25 years. The rewards of helping and leading others to Christ are beyond anything you will comprehend this side of heaven. We have ministered to several thousands and as few as five. If Paul had not been obedient to his call, we would not have 3/4 of the New Testament. Prepare yourself and GO!!! If the call is from God, He will sustain you.

If things are difficult, do not use these difficulties as an indication that you should not go! Everything went wrong after I decided to go! I did not spiritualize these things. I just solved them.

There is a saying: "What God ordains He sustains."

So if you have a very clear call from the LORD to go into this type of ministry then do not be concerned about the provision or other details. God will work it all out for His glory and your blessing.

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

Sometimes our heads give us the wrong info. The key to answering this is to listen to your spirit or heart and follow the leading of the Lord and not allow your head to lead your life.

Yes, you will have to face doubts, but when you know in your heart what God is saying, you then have a responsibility to do it! You’ll be glad you did!

Blessings as you seek to hear the Lord’s directions and make sure you follow your heart and not your understanding...

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

God will prepare you in His time. It is easy to push and push until we finally get our way, but in this case you should not push, because if you push you never know what you are getting your self into.

Full time missions doesn’t always mean that you have to move over seas and live there. You can be a Dr and use that as your full time mission field. Just know that you full-missions doesn’t look the same for everyone.

There is no need to stress or worry about anything because God will work it all out in His time.