Is long-term mission right for me?
Posted on 21 June 2023 by Global Connections
People from many different backgrounds with different skills and experience serve overseas or within the UK longer-term - including single people, married couples and families with children.
While people of all ages and backgrounds can get involved, it's worth bearing in mind that there are restrictions on visas entries to some countries as well as limits on insurance.
Scroll down for more information on those areas which really stand out for you at this point in time:
- Where do I start?
- Practical ideas
- How can I be sure that God wants me to get involved in long-term mission?
- Am I ready to serve in missions?
- What are mission agencies looking for?
Where do I start?
If this is the first time you have considered serving in long term mission work, here are some pointers to get you started:
- Take time out to pray and listen to God about this.
- Talk with your church leaders - seek their wisdom and guidance. They will help you explore God’s leading and help you think this through fully. It is your church who will be sending and supporting you. They need to be involved right from the start.
- Ask others who know you well to pray for you and give their input as you seek guidance and clarity.
- Continue to pray and listen to God about this for yourself.
- If this all feels a bit daunting remember that what matters most is your love for God, your love for people, your Christian character and your willingness to listen to wisdom from others.
For more practical ideas, read on...
Where do you feel drawn?
Is there a specific people group or area of the world to which you feel drawn? Find out more about those people and places and start praying for them.
Think local before you go global
Look for opportunities to befriend those from other countries and cultures where you live now - this is a really helpful short blog post to get you thinking.
Do some research
Which organisations or groups work in the part of the world that you sense you might be 'called' to or are interested in? Do they engage in the sort of projects that are of interest to you?
Where is there most need?
Think and pray about your involvement in those areas and places where people are most unreached. Be prepared to be challenged or re-directed. Perhaps there is more need for you in places or projects which you haven’t yet considered?
Is further study or training needed?
Find out what qualifications and other skills are needed so that you are aware of any further study you might need to do. Visit our training pages to see the range of courses on offer.
Decide together
If you’re a married or engaged couple thinking of going overseas it is important that you reach agreement together on your course of action - differences of opinion which may seem unimportant at home in the UK can become very significant when you’re operating in a different culture.
Consider serving short-term
Short-term involvement is a great way to see what God is doing around the world, to listen and to learn, and perhaps even test a call to long-term service overseas. Search short-term opportunities.
'Calling' and guidance
Because there is confusing and often contradictory advice about ‘calling’ (and especially the ‘missionary call’), it can seem difficult and overwhelming to find a way through. Read more here.
10 Reasons Not to Become a Missionary
Don't become a missionary if you think you are going to change the world - Laura Parker, former missionary in SE Asia, dispels some unhelpful expectations.
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
How can I be sure that God wants me to get involved in long-term mission?
Most people don’t get a bolt of lightning from the sky, a booming voice from heaven, or see their name flashing in some kind of divine neon light. And if you’re waiting for a ‘burning bush’ experience, like Moses had in Exodus 3, it will likely never happen!
Maybe it will just start with a gut feeling – an ‘inner witness’ in your spirit. Maybe something said in a sermon or a simple conversation has really struck home. Perhaps you know someone who is already involved in world mission overseas and it’s provoked an interest. Could it be that God has spoken to you from his Word about your commitment to him? Or might it be that the knowledge you have of the needs that exist in the world around you has been enough to move you to action?
Even if none of these scenarios connect with your personal experience, it's important to remember that as a disciple of Jesus, you do have a calling. Jesus summarises the commandments as being 'Love God... and love others' (Matthew 22:37-39) and the Great Commission tells us to 'Go... and make disciples of all nations'. Further information on this is available in our Calling and Guidance section.
Finally, remember that the very best place to start is to talk with your church leaders - seek their wisdom and guidance to explore God’s leading and to help you think this through fully. They are the ones who will be sending and supporting you.
Am I ready to serve in missions?
Watch this 3-minute video - addressing three questions to help you know if you are ready.
What are mission agencies looking for?
Most UK-based mission agencies would expect the following from those who express an interest in being involved in world mission:
- To have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, and be a committed, assured and growing Christian
- To have a working knowledge of the Bible and a desire to live a holy life.
- To be active in a local church in the UK and have the support of your local church.
- To have a desire to share your faith in word and action to enable people to know the love of Christ.
- To be servant hearted, willing to learn, and prepared to work under local leadership and alongside overseas partners.
- To be willing to interact positively with culturally diverse co-workers.
- To be prepared to live simply and adapt to changing situations.
- To be willing to learn another language if necessary, and be prepared to learn how to live in a different culture.
- To have the appropriate education, or willingness to train for your assignment.
- To fulfil the visa requirements for the country you hope to travel to in terms of qualifications, skills, age etc.
- To have good general health and emotional stability.
- To be flexible in using some of the more transferrable skills from your profession / current job as well as life skills and experience.
- To be aware that it might be a long process.
- To plan to bring your spouse and children with you (if applicable).
The day I stopped trying to become a “thing” in the Christian world and instead decided to serve Jesus wherever the Spirit led was the day my ministry actually began.
Burn your ambition.
Find a mission opportunity
Long-term opportunities around the world, and a variety of short-term placements and schemes in the UK and overseas
