Level 1
The call to missions
- What have I felt in my heart about my call to missions?
- What is God's will, and how may I be a part of that will?
- Where have I seen God at work that has stirred the most interest in missions possibilities?
- What biblical characters responded to God's call and how do I see a
similarity in my life?
- To what specifically has God led me so far?
Level 2
The search for a place in ministry
The search may start with any of the following or a combination of the following:
- by country/region
- by job type
- by interest in a spoken language
- by searching for a people group
- by an affinity for a certain population segment or ethnic group
- a desire to do something beyond your experience
- a ministry to where you feel drawn
Level 3
Take an honest approach, open to self examination
Then the following is taken into consideration (the order does not reflect the order of importance):
- Educational preparedness
- Experiential preparedness
- Ministerial and evangelical preparedness
- Personal (maybe subconscious) motivations
- Relational affirmations of family and friends
- Wise counsel of trusted mature Christians
- Leadership of the Holy Spirit
- Prayer (What is God continuing to say to me? Am I still on track?)
- The Word of God confirming all
- Health issues and necessary preferences
- Language skills and capacity to learn
- Cross-cultural readiness and flexibility
- Desires of my heart (be careful on this one)
- Is now the right time to go overseas?
- Couples: are you both sensing the same calling?
- Parents: are you ready to turn the world of your children upside down?
- Parents: what are the educational and social opportunities and needs for
your children?
Level 4
Points to remember as the focus becomes sharper
Go through the next points as you seek Him:
- God calls you to Himself foremost, the leading to a place or ministry is
secondary.
- The journey is dynamic and may change over time.
- God's call is not about you, it's about Him and His global purpose.
- Your job is to listen to His voice and follow Him.
- You are in process, becoming conformed to the image of the Son. Not all bad
beginnings have bad endings.
Level 5
Step out in faith!
- Take it one step at a time!
- We are to walk by faith and not by sight. Walk in the light that He has
given!
Adapted from material by Dr. Andrew Tuttle, an
ISC/Journeyman consultant, in the Office of Mission Personnel at the IMB. |
