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 do I discover the country or people-group God is leading me to serve?
A: Reflect on how you could serve in missions.
Begin with the promise of Psalm 32:8. Do you look at God more as a Father or as a Master? With this verse it does not matter. It is a Father's responsibility to give guidance to a child, and a Master's responsibility to give guidance to a servant or slave. Your responsibility is to seek God's will with a determination to obey.
However, I do have a suggestion. Ask yourself, "What do I see myself doing as a missionary when I simply daydream?" Do you see yourself caring for children? Then find what missions have special ministries to children. Do you see yourself in open evangelism and discipleship? Then look to a country open to the Gospel, many of which exist in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Do you feel you are more involved in a discreet one-on-one ministry? Then you are probably looking at something in the 10/40 window, the more "difficult" countries.
Do you see yourself more with Africans, Asians, Latins, Europeans, or Middle Eastern peoples? Do you have a particular burden for one religious group? As you work on answering several of these questions, some ideas should come to mind. You may also want to ask others to help you evaluate your spiritual abilities and see where these may seem appropriate.
Finally, buy a copy of Operation World and begin reading about every country of the world. Dozens if not hundreds of people have been directed toward specific countries, people-groups, and even specific ministries through this book.
However, I do have a suggestion. Ask yourself, "What do I see myself doing as a missionary when I simply daydream?" Do you see yourself caring for children? Then find what missions have special ministries to children. Do you see yourself in open evangelism and discipleship? Then look to a country open to the Gospel, many of which exist in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Do you feel you are more involved in a discreet one-on-one ministry? Then you are probably looking at something in the 10/40 window, the more "difficult" countries.
Do you see yourself more with Africans, Asians, Latins, Europeans, or Middle Eastern peoples? Do you have a particular burden for one religious group? As you work on answering several of these questions, some ideas should come to mind. You may also want to ask others to help you evaluate your spiritual abilities and see where these may seem appropriate.
Finally, buy a copy of Operation World and begin reading about every country of the world. Dozens if not hundreds of people have been directed toward specific countries, people-groups, and even specific ministries through this book.
A: Get exposure to a number of cultures.
Get experience with and exposure to other cultures - via visits or via inner city time in North America. Ask the Lord to help you determine what kind of people you seem to be attracted to. I was always attracted to the Latin culture (and my best friends in the USA were always Latins) and then it dawned on me that since I wanted to be a missionary I should naturally go to a place where I would have a real love for the people. In the last few years, I find myself attracted to the rural Indians people of western Honduras. So, I feel that God may be leading me to focus on them.
A: Follow your heart and how God has prepared you.
As I considered the idea of full-time service, the factor that helped me decide was reflecting on how God had prepared me, personally, to serve. As a missionary kid (MK) for 15 years, I had learned the language and the culture of an area in which there was still a great need for workers. When the Lord provided a wife who was similarly prepared (another MK), the decision was final.
Follow your heart and your preparation. If you are not prepared yet, seek God's prompting. Consider the languages you have learned, the people you have met from other countries, those willing to be your team mate, any facility you have with languages.
All these questions, and many more, need to be answered and analyzed as you consider the task ahead. There are many open fields around the world. Each of us is fitted for at least one of them. My wife and I followed the Lord's call to a major metropolitan center. We are still seeking His guidance and can see how He has prepared us to work in this very different set of circumstances. Don't be dissuaded by obstacles. If God wants you to go, He'll help you overcome them.
Follow your heart and your preparation. If you are not prepared yet, seek God's prompting. Consider the languages you have learned, the people you have met from other countries, those willing to be your team mate, any facility you have with languages.
All these questions, and many more, need to be answered and analyzed as you consider the task ahead. There are many open fields around the world. Each of us is fitted for at least one of them. My wife and I followed the Lord's call to a major metropolitan center. We are still seeking His guidance and can see how He has prepared us to work in this very different set of circumstances. Don't be dissuaded by obstacles. If God wants you to go, He'll help you overcome them.
