How Can I Be Sure of My Calling As a Missionary?

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

While there are many ways in which God leads and guides His people into world missions, there have been two classic answers that people tend to give, “You don’t need a call because He has already called you” and “You better know God has called you before you go.”  I believe a combination of both is necessary.

In one sense, every Christian is a missionary.  Every believer is to share Christ with others.  However, some receive a specific calling to serve in another context far from their present location.  The Bible does not give a specific verse teaching us how to discover whether we are called as missionaries, but it does provide examples of those called to missionary efforts from which we can find principles for our lives today.

During the 24 years, I have served as a missionary, there have been circumstances and difficulties during which the only thing that kept me on the mission field was that I knew God sent me.  The prophet Jeremiah arrived at one of those crossroads in his ministry where he wanted to call it quits.  Jeremiah was thinking about returning home to a normal life when he cried out to God saying, “…I will not mention him or speak any more in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9)

As it was with Jeremiah, the call of God on your life is something you cannot escape.  We obviously have free will and can choose to serve Him or not, but if we are in a right relationship with God and walking with Him, we will learn to be in tune with His desires and plans for us.  Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Finding God’s direction in our lives is very personal and often subjective, yet here are a few basic principles that have helped me:

First, believers should already be mature in their faith.  It is difficult to influence others if we are not secure in Christ.  Further, it is difficult to determine God’s call if we are not walking closely with Him.

Second, you must be willing to go anywhere and do anything God may want you to do.  If you really have a servant’s heart, you will be willing to serve in any capacity.  God will place specific desires in your heart, but don’t rush to push open the door yourself.  Serve, and in the process of serving God will open the door for you and He does a much better job of it!

Third, believers must be willing to consider the cost.  Jesus called His disciples to leave everything to follow Him, but He also urged them to count the cost of doing so.  He said that following Him might mean conflict with family and that ridicule would occur if they failed for lack of planning. (See Luke 14:26–30)

Fourth, start by serving at home.  We must be faithful in the small things before we can be released to serve in greater areas.  It is vital to understand the ministry and local church before you can be sent by them “…to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Fifth, believers should consider what gifts and abilities they have to help them serve. God calls missionaries in the area of evangelism, but He also calls teachers, doctors, engineers, technology experts, and those in many other fields of service.  God will likely call missionaries to a place where they can use their strengths and talents to help those who need them.

Sixth, those considering a call should pray earnestly regarding that calling.  In Acts 13:1-5, the local church leaders gathered to pray and fast as part of God’s calling of Paul and Barnabas into missionary service.  Determining a missionary calling should involve a great deal of prayer.

Seventh, those considering missionary work should seek counsel with other Christian leaders.  Proverbs 15:22 teaches, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”  The affirmation of other trusted Christians of one’s desire for missionary service may be a strong indication of God’s will.

Finally, potential missionaries should consider what opportunities God has placed before them for service.  God sometimes makes His will clear through a particular opportunity or circumstance.  It is important to include prayer and counsel in such situations.

Perhaps you have not yet identified God’s will for your life, get closer to Him, ask Him what He has for you, search your own heart to make sure you have correct motives.  Put into practice the steps listed above and don’t forget it’s all about being connected to Him.