Q: As an African-American is there anything specific I should learn about being sent as a missionary overseas?

I understand your concerns. While my experiences have been limited, I am willing to share what I have learned. This past summer I taught in a Bible school near Mexico City. I was not concerned about my ethnicity prior to going and in retrospect I found that it was not an issue. In foreign countries, you are perceived first as an American as soon as you speak. You are secondly seen as an African-American because of the color of your skin. Once you profess a relationship with Jesus Christ, you are only seen as a Christian who happens to have an ethnic background. When the love of Christ is shown, you are then seen as a compassionate Christian. Just as Christ was God in the flesh and showed others what our heavenly Father is like by what he said and did, so we show who Christ is by what we say and do. The local nationals will see us either as a hypocritical Christian or a true follower of Christ. I used to live in the Philippines and traveled extensively before accepting Christ. I have found that people are people all over the world. We all bleed, have hurts, joys, expectations, plans and problems. As long as your focus is on meeting the need of other person (a servant’s heart) you will be fine. I cannot say that you will never encounter prejudice or stereotypic thinking – you will because the devil’s influence is not limited to America. Even Jesus encountered those who hated him and despised him and did everything they could to discredit him. And Peter was prejudice himself when he initially refused to be sent to the Gentiles. There are times when situations will arise that will allow you to teach/dispel stereotypic thinking. Of course, that could be true in all areas of life – nationality, age group, skills, and professions. But love conquers all – wins them over. My suggestion is to emphasize our heavenly citizenship more than our ethnic background when interacting with local nationals.

I am an African American missionary to Africa and have spent time on the field for several months. I have noticed that the African countries are really welcoming missionaries with African descent. There is really nothing different that you would have to know but what is really important is that you have a very close personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and that you spend time in the Word of God and prayer on a daily basis. You must be led by the Holy Spirit on a day-by-day basis. It could mean the difference between being safe and unsafe. The other thing you must know that being a single woman, Satan will tempt you with relationships with the opposite sex and you must keep these relationships holy and in line with the will of God. God bless you as you labor in the field.

There is definitely a place in missions for you, and your race makes no difference. In some cases it can be an advantage. Do you need special training? Nothing that our other workers don't get too. You mentioned inner-city work. That is already a big advantage for you.

You did not mention specific Bible training. This is important. There are several routes. In Philadelphia (WEC USA headquarters is located right outside Philly) there are some churches, especially African American that run their own Bible schools geared to those who are working full time, so the schools are in the evening. There are also many traditional Bible Schools around the country.

Your racial background is a non-factor. Your thirty-something age is not an issue either. General preparation is what you need.

Probably not more than 250 African-American cross-cultural missionaries exist among approximately 35 million African-Americans. While the Black church focuses upon the needs of the local congregations and community—understandably so—global missions is usually the “Great Omission.”Although local ministry is essential, so the mandate to the Black church is the same as to any other part of Christ’s Body—to go to the ends of the earth to give everyone the opportunity to hear the Gospel understandably. RMN desires to help evangelical churches establish and pursue their global mission priorities.
http://www.rmni.org

Mission agencies specifically seeking African Americans for Cross-Cultural Ministry: http://www.rmni.org/afam/list.asp

African American mission executives helped to refine a survey that was sent to African American cross-cultural missionaries to determine reasons for the under representation of Blacks (African Americans) in intercultural missions. A theory is proposed and supported from findings that the core worldview value of survival / security in current African American culture explains the under-representation. Implications for recruitment of African American missionaries are given for both Black and White mission recruiters as well as recommendations to the Church to remedy deeper issues of racism.
http://www.rmni.org/dissertation/home.asp

Editor's note: also read the book _African-American Experience in World Mission: A Call Beyond Community_
Edited by Vaughn Walston & Robert Stevens, 218 pages, c. 2002. Order from http://www.wclbooks.com
Venture into the world of overseas missions from an African-American perspective. This collection of articles takes you deep into the history of missions in the African-American community. You will learn of the struggles to stay connected to the world of missions in spite of great obstacles. You will read of unique cultural experiences while traveling abroad. You will feel the heart for fulfilling the Great Commission - both in the African-American community and beyond.