The mission field is
a difficult place even
for those who are prepared
for ministry. One must
be very healthy mentally,
emotionally, spiritually
and physically, and
even then the stresses
and strains of life
overseas are demanding.
It is not the place
for someone to go that
wants to get his or
her life in order. Only
those with strong qualifications
and the highest potential
for missionary service
are able to move forward.
Let
me give you some of
the things that we look
for in an applicant.
Please understand that
this is a general list
that we give to everyone
and some of these things
may not be concerns
for you personally.
Use this list as a self-evaluation
and honestly examine
each area that may apply
to you. It would be
wise to seek the counsel
of those closest to
you and ask four simple
questions and then look
at the list of qualifications:
Since job choices these
days are somewhat limited,
and only those with
strong qualifications
and the highest potential
for missionary service
are able to move forward,
how does one know if
their full application
has higher potential
for IMB service?
Here is a look at some
stronger qualifications:
-
A
clear salvation and
baptism testimony;
a vibrant, mature
and growing spiritual
life, able to feed
your spirit on your
own, perhaps worship
where there may be
no church.
-
A solid history of
church membership
and leadership through
your local SBC church
and/or campus ministry.
-
A stable employment
or educational history
over the past several
years.
-
A clear expression
of a calling to international
cross-cultural missions.
-
Some cross-cultural
missions experience
overseas and/or regular
working with the international
community here in
the States.
-
A good and stable
emotional, psychological
and medical history.
-
A proven ability to
effectively communicate
and teach your Christian
beliefs.
-
A proven ability to
effectively share
your faith and the
plan of salvation
with lost people;
exercising your evangelistic
skills; formal evangelism
training like EE,
CWT or FAITH is helpful.
-
A lifestyle history
that exhibits moral
purity; and good relational/social
health; with strong
and supportive references.
-
Transferable skills
that can be utilized
in one of our strategic
assignments; attempting
to impact strategic
areas of lostness.
-
A "whatever it
takes" attitude
to reach the lost
of the world for Christ;
flexibility in your
ministry and expectations
of life in another
culture.
-
A
cooperative, humble
and teachable spirit;
ability to be a learner.
Here is a good
scenario in which to
place yourself to see
if you are ready for
the task of international
missions:
You are assigned to
a city of 250,000 people
and the only Christian/Missionary
there. The closest English-speaking
believer other than
your teammate or your
spouse is five hours
away. Your job is to
engage strangers and
make the first converts
in a language that you
have never spoken before
your arrival in that
country. You must disciple
them in hopes of forming
a new church. You would
teach them the basics
of the Bible, the Christian
faith, the doctrine
of the church and worship
within the cultural
context of that people
group that has been
a totally unreached
people group.
While
not all missionaries
have such a demanding
and isolated task, many
missionaries are in
situations just like
this and often in environments
that are not friendly
towards missionaries
and Christians. We want
to encourage those that
feel called to international
missions to explore
the possibilities and
seek the affirmations.
If God is calling, the
next step is to prepare
as much as possible
for cross-cultural international
missions.
What
will a missionary face
on the field?
By Lloyd H. Atkinson,
Vice President, Office
of Mission Personnel
Missionaries must be
physically and mentally
able to handle a heavy
workload. They work
among people with different
cultures and languages
quite different from
their own. The ensuing
adjustment can be quite
severe.
Missionaries often find
themselves in the midst
of problems created
by rising national consciousness
as well as racial crosscurrents.
They must be able to
meet suspicion, criticism,
or antagonism with understanding
and forgiveness.
Since leadership of
an indigenous church
must pass into the hands
of overseas Baptists
as soon as possible,
missionaries must be
able to share authority
and, if indicated, work
under local leaders
whose preparation might
not equal their own.
The organization of
missionaries in a particular
country is a closely
knit fellowship. The
very closeness of the
group can set a stage
for painful friction
if a person is not able
to work and wear well.
For the missionary family
there are special problems
of rearing and educating
children, of maintaining
wholesome Christian
family life and of isolation
experienced at times
when the husband or
wife travels. Journeymen
and other single adults
are often not prepared
for the isolation they
will encounter.
The basic missionary
task, whatever one's
particular training
and responsibility,
is witnessing to the
redeeming power of Jesus
Christ. Every missionary
must have basic spiritual
depth and maturity to
lead others to Christ
and to lead new Christians
to grow in their faith.
Finally, the totality
of all the above calls
for men and women to
prayer and dependence
upon the Holy Spirit.
Wannabe a missionary?
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