How Can I Become a Missionary?
By Paul Vernon on Sep 27, 2010 in Ministry Updates
Pattern #4: Giving
As I sit here and think of five or six of the missionary families that I respect the most, all of them are characterized by giving. In fact, missionaries usually fall into one of two categories: those who are always worrying about funding and support, and those who are willing to give the shirt off their back, the roof from over their heads and wheels from beneath their feet at the shortest prompting of the Lord.
I’m not advocating that you give all you have to the next person you see, this goes back again to your ability to connect to the living God, but if He asks us to give can we do it? Do we hesitate? Are we Matthew, who walked away from his fortune, or are we the rich young ruler?
It is a tremendous step of faith to quit our jobs and trust that the Lord will provide for our needs, but we must be careful not to fall into the trap of poverty, which believes that we do not have enough to give. Jesus taught in the sermon on the mount “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Powerful words. Not blessed are the poor, but blessed are the poor in spirit. If we can shed our love for money, if we can realize that nothing changes if we lose all that we posses, then we are poor in spirit. Then we will see seasons plenty and seasons of nothing, but we will always be living with a heart willing to give, even to death. (Remember the widow and Elijah?)
Paul stands out again, as he shows us how to be a missionary:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
As we see the missionaries here in Thailand who challenge us, who call us to the next level in our walks with God and with man, we only see men and women who are givers. Givers of time, givers of money, givers of possessions. Givers are often hurt by takers, leeches who seek their own comfort. But obedient givers will continue to give, even to the leeches, if they are prompted by the voice of the Lord. True givers are willing to give no matter the cost, no matter the pain.
Powerful things happen in the spiritual realm when we challenge the kingdom of darkness, and that kingdom is shaken by selfless giving.
Great, great, great! And at first I thought there’s nothing more needed. Certainly not a lot more, but a few thoughts. Flexibility is big. Our teams take Gumby along to remind us we must hold very loosely to “our plans.” Sense of humor is very necessary. Don’t take yourself so serious that you can’t laugh at your mistakes. Finally, take off your ethnocentric hat. Much easier said than done. When we first moved to C—- I remember seeing a map of the world. Low and behold C—- was in the middle. Hmmm…our maps and everything about us put our own country “in the center.” Keep that in mind when you first move somewhere else and think, “Hey, they don’t do that the ‘right way.’”
Thanks Christy! I completely agree: flexibility, a sense of humor and cultural openness are also all crucial in a missionary. I love the Gumby idea, might have to start suggesting it to our teams as they come out.
I really like and appreciate this, Paul. I have so often become frustrated (“why can’t I go yet, Lord?”), but then He shows me that it’s not about me and my obedience now is the most important part of His overall plan than trying to fit into what I think might be His plan.
I’m doing the Experiencing God study by Henry Blackaby. If anyone is wondering how to hear more of God, this study points it out plainly. I’ve known Jesus a long time, but it has been so refreshing to go back to basics–take my eyes off myself and back to what God is doing around me.
Thank you–this post had a lot of wisdom in it!
perfectly said, Sarah: “trying to fit into what I think might be His plan”… it is easy to hear a word from God and then try to make it happen ourselves instead of waiting for each step and confirmation along the way. I’ve heard great things about the Experiencing God study, but your words might be the most encouraging, anything that brings us back to basics with our Creator is a valuable tool. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your continued service and servant heart. I am so glad I found your blog about how to become a missionary, it really helps me focus on the things I need to do, not do in my local church as I think I am being prepared for something else.
Sawat dee khrap Paul. Wow. That is quite a post. I’m still chewing on the authority bit. I was in Phuket for 7 years and our team fell apart after about a couple years because of internal conflict and a host of other leadership issues. While i don’t regret any of it, I would tell anyone interested in long term missions to take it slow, be sure you know who you’re going with, and really having a solid sending organization or church behind you is priceless. In retrospect i’d have done things differently, and at the same time no regrets because God is always making lemon-aid out of lemons so to speak. Bless you guys. Would have liked to have met you while we were in the land of smiles.
Sawadee Khrap! We’d have loved to meet you guys too. I love the advice “take it slow” for the long-term missions minded. Thanks for the insight.
Paul, Thanks for the insight! I met your wife last June while visiting Chiang Rai with my church. Norvie Tiong brought us up to your village for a day. I hope to serve in Thailand one day and your blog has given me a new and refreshed perspective.
Thanks Amanda, I’m glad we gave you something to think about!
Hi Paul, I was searching on the web about how to become a missionary and your incite is really helpful. For a while now, I have felt God leading me to be a missionary. Only just recently did He say Cambodia. But going back to your service pattern… it struck me that you said “Service involves a willingness to do things that you are not gifted in (Ex 4:10), or that you are not passionate about (I Cor 9:19-23).” And I thought is it possible that God is calling me to something that I don’t really know anything about? much less have a passion for?… I mean my heart goes out to the suffering and hurting, and when I see them on the TV I’m moved to compassion, BUT I always thought I would be an artist. I’m talented, gifted by God, I have a job and I’m satisfied. I’m sorry I’m just confused. I don’t understand how He could be calling me to be a missionary when I thought He wanted me to use my talents?
Thank you all for your posts…i’ve had a calling on my heart since I was 5 for children…i have a daughter who is 30 and a son who is 13 now…i’ve worked in youth ministry off and on my whole life and am now starting to think about missions after my son graduates from high school….this blog really spoke to my heart and gave mesome insight from humaness and Godliness…..i think there is a lot of preparation work one needs to do ahead of time, so it feels like the timing is right…May God keep u in His palm and put great big 10′ angels all around you and yours… I love ya!
Its quite inspiring to read the info given regarding mission work and getting inspired by other saints of God who would love to get into mission work
God spoke to me to serve him alone anywhere in the world not the corporate world
Iam ready if you can pls give me the opportunity yes i can connect with God and iam called for this purpose in my life.
Wonderful! Where are you hoping to serve? Is your local church supportive of your decision?
The church has said its ok if i have Gods calling in my life in that area . I live in South Africa and i fellowship at faithways bible church in Soweto.God Has prepared me in the past few years for His work in prayer and reading of His word in the wilderness iam strong in His grace.Paul you asked me about a few things Patience,giving ,serving God Has put me through situations that i may learn to be patient in whatever the situatin i find myself in as well as waiting for this calling for the right time and have, served Gods people and others in different areas as Christ came to serve mankind not the opposite been taught in that area to be of service to mankind.
Giving is the most important part of the word of God and love.He gave His only begotten Son to die for us and serve us.I would rather not have and give to the needie.I feel strongly about this my brother.I dont really have a specific country at heart at the moment but will go anywhere in the world where there is a need unless you insist on a specific country, thank you Paul for everything
Macdonald,
We are not a missions sending agency, but we would love to encourage you as you go through the process of becoming a missionary. We suggest you find a local sending agency if your church cannot provide all the missionary support you need to provide training, counsel and guidance as you serve the local church globally.
We also suggest that you begin seeking God in prayer for what country you would like to serve in. He’s going to continue to lead you in this process.
Great article about sending missionaries by John Lambert… worth the read: http://spreadtheflame.com/2012/01/my-5-mistakes-sending-missionaries/