Guidance and Discerning God's Leading in Missions

Wondering how to figure out the way God’s leading you — or how to interpret and react to all the obstacles? Missionaries weigh in.

Signs of Divine Direction

How do I discover the country or people group God is leading me to serve?

I don’t sense God leading me to become a missionary. Is it selfish for me to send financial and prayer support and not go myself?

What are the advantages of going long term instead of short term?

How can I know if God is leading me to become a missionary?

Obstacles, Your Past, Health

Can a family with severe food allergies become full-time missionaries? My spouse and two children under two years have a severe allergy to gluten (celiac disease).

What age is too old to be a missionary? What are some things older missionaries can and can’t do?

Can a person become a missionary who has experienced traumas in childhood?

Would someone with piercings or tattoos encounter problems on the mission field (in terms of culture or religion or from sending agencies)?

Discouragement and Opposition

How do you explain the need for missions or the role of a missionary to family and friends who believe that “all paths lead to God”? They perceive missions as forcing our faith on others.

Is it acceptable for a missionary appointee (someone preparing for the field) to leave his current church and join a new one because of lack of support?

What should I do if my church is not supportive of missions?

What words of encouragement would you give to those who are looking into full-time missions?

See also “Apprehensive Parents” under Singles/Family

The Ways or Roles of Serving

“I would love to work with church leaders of existing national churches overseas rather than planting a church myself. Is that possible?”

Can I serve international missions and still live full-time in my home country?

I’ve been wanting to become something similar to an administrative assistant for missionaries. Is this something that’s needed? If so, what skills are most needed? How would you recommend getting these skills?

Doesn’t it make more sense to for me to raise funds for a national missionary, rather than raise funds for me to go? Wouldn’t funds go further for the gospel that way?

Where in the World?

When a country becomes politically unstable should Westerners leave?

I’ve always lived in an urban area. How hard is it to adjust to a rural or jungle environment?

Should I wait for guidance to a specific country?

What are ways to learn about cultures, peoples, and places I’m interested in or going to visit?

Should I go where I already know the language?

How do I decide between becoming a missionary in a foreign country versus missions involvement from home?

Time is Right

How can I determine if I should sign on to stay another term?

Is it better for our family to ship our furniture overseas or to buy replacements on the field?

Should we rent or sell our home before moving overseas?

How long does it take between deciding to go and actually going?

What are some of the first steps to becoming a missionary?

Should I go on a short-term missions trip just to try it out?

Other Questions in

Raising Support

Mission Agencies

Singles and Family

Mission Training

Using Your Existing Skills

Daily Life Overseas

Great additional resources about Discerning the Call