Am I Called to Missions?

In my experience, the “call” to missionary service came in stages. Thad Puckett spoke at our church about his missionary work as an International Mission Board (IMB) Journeyman in Africa. Marty Childers spoke about his family’s work as career missionaries in South America. Both men challenged me to pray, pay, or pack. 

A few years later at seminary, no class captured my imagination like the class on missions. Around the same time, the church I served during seminary held a week of special meetings focusing on missions. I remember hearing Bill O’Brien from the IMB tell of the great things God was doing around the world. I confided in a close friend that I’d give anything to be a part of that kind of work. 

The final stage came for me in late 1995. I had set aside several hours for extended prayer with one question on my mind: God, are you calling our family to missions? The first verse I read came from Psalm 95, “Today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah . . . When your fathers tested Me . . . though they had seen My work.” (Psalm 95:7-9, NASB) 

The Spirit of God then began to replay every time my heart had been moved to take the gospel to those who have not heard. With all the sincerity and gravity I could muster, I told God that if He would speak with clarity one more time, we would go. I laid my “yes” on the table. I’d willingly let God place it on the map.

I turned to Psalm 96 and verse 3 hit me like a hammer: “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.” (NASB)

Yes, You Are!

You may say, “That sure sounds to me like a call to missions!” Yes, but. You see, Psalm 96:3 doesn’t just speak to a select group of missionaries. It was written to the people of God. Jesus gave the Great Commission to the church, not just the apostles. The call to follow Jesus is a call to missions. J.D. Greear shifts us back toward a more biblical paradigm. The question isn’t if I’m called; the question is where and how. (Gaining by Losing, 78). 

That’s why we’ve partnered with other UBA churches to offer a Missionary Sending Cohort this January. We realize that all believers are called. But some are called to cross cultures and they need to know how.

The Missionary Sending Cohort is a two-semester workshop that equips cross-cultural missionaries in the theory and practice of the 6 core missionary tasks: entry, evangelism, discipleship, church formation, leadership training, and engaging new fields. This small group of participants meets every other week, taking the week off in between to apply what’s being learned. For those applying to serve with the IMB, there is an additional track that walks you through the application process. 

Is the Missionary Sending Cohort for Me?

Maybe you’re considering a career appointment to missionary service. This course has been designed in partnership with the IMB. It fits pretty seamlessly with that organization. But those going with other missionary sending agencies should consider taking advantage of this opportunity to learn the basics of career missionary service.

Perhaps you’re giving the IMB Journeyman program a closer look. If you’re a college student in the Houston area, this course might be for you.

Maybe you’re one of 9 million Americans living overseas. Don’t underestimate the potential of this group of people who have been sent, not by mission organizations, but by God’s providence.

The current number of missionaries from the US is 127,000. Even if just 10% of Americans living overseas are evangelical Christians, that’s a potential mission force of an additional 900,000 people! God has placed you on the map somewhere, and maybe it’s so that others may seek and find Him (Acts 17:26-27). This course can help you think through how to place your “missionary yes” on the table.

What You Can Do?

1. Share this article. Maybe you know of others who need to read this article. Place it on your church’s website, text it to them directly, or share it on social media.

2. Take the missions opportunities you have. Maybe you’re just beginning to dip your toe in the water. Take the opportunities hiding in plain sight as you work through where and how God wants you to serve.

   Reach out to neighbors, frequent international restaurants, serve with one of the many organizations in our city that reach out to immigrants and refugees, or sign up for that mission trip.

3. Talk with your pastor or ministry leader. Maybe you're further along in discerning a call. Explore with your church leaers whether a step toward missionary service is right for you.

4. Identify missionaries in your church. Mission leaders, who do you know with the potential to serve as a missionary? Schedule some face-to-face time with them. Introduce them to this cohort.

5. Pastors, preach a missionary message, offering this course as a point of application. Then offer a clear invitation to join. Help those who respond discern whether or not this course is a good step for them.

Intrigued? Contact me at cris@ubahouston.org.

Place your “yes” on the table. The missionary sending cohort can prepare you to place it on the map.

As the Senior Consultant for Sending Pathways, Cris Alley helps support the local church in thinking and acting like missionaries.

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