Many people have an interest in becoming a missionary but because they don’t know what steps to take next, they often end up taking none at all.
What are the first steps you can take toward becoming a missionary?
From the example of Paul and Barnabas, we see four steps to take toward becoming a goer sent from your local church.
As you consider going, it is crucial that you have Biblical clarity on the task of global missions and the role of a missionary in that task. We can understand the task of missions and the role of a missionary from the example of Paul and Barnabas. In Acts 13:2-3, the church in Antioch set apart Paul and Barnabas from local ministry and sent them out to cross geographic and cultural barriers to plant churches where the church did not yet exist. Paul described his missionary work in terms of crossing these barriers when he said in Acts 22:2, “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away (geographical barriers) to the Gentiles (cultural barriers).”
Acts 14:21-28 summarizes the work Paul and Barnabas did and forms the basis for our understanding of what the work of missions is. Paul and Barnabas “preached the good news” (evangelism), they “strengthened and encouraged the disciples to remain true to the faith” (discipleship), and they “appointed elders in each church” (church-planting). The goal of missions is to win people to Christ, disciple these new believers and incorporate them into a healthy local church. Paul gave priority to planting new churches among unreached peoples where “Christ was not known” (Rom. 15:17-21).
You can get clarity by reading a book or watching a film to learn more about the missionary task.
During the prayer meeting in Acts 13, the Holy Spirit did not speak directly to individuals about going but to church leaders about sending. This tells us missionaries don’t just go, they are sent by their local church. From the moment of Paul’s conversion, he knew that he had been set apart to preach the gospel to the nations (Acts 9:15, Galatians 1:15-16). Yet what is often missed is that before Paul went to the nations, God brought him to the local church in Antioch to be sent.
The typical process to become a missionary today begins with someone feeling a call to go. They then apply to a missions agency. The agency determines if they are a fit for missionary service. Lastly, they go to their church to share their plans and ask for support. This individualism may be very American but it is not very Biblical.
From the example in Acts 13, we see church leadership involved in the process from the beginning. The potential goer should not be making decisions about going in isolation from their local church. They should recognize the authority of their local church in assessing, preparing, and confirming them before they apply to a missions agency. The goer is then sent by their local church in partnership with a missions agency, but the church is always the leading partner.
If you are thinking about becoming a goer, start by talking with your church leaders. Share your desire, ask for their guidance and prayer, and submit to their assessment and confirmation process.
Those we send should be spiritually mature. Paul and Barnabas were part of the church leadership in Antioch (Acts 13:1). Their character qualified them to be elders in the church (1 Tim. 3:1-7). They were mature believers who could feed themselves the word of God and were able to teach others also (Heb. 5:12-14). Paul could write, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Potential goers should be growing in spiritual maturity in preparation to be sent.
You can seek to grow in spiritual maturity today.
Before Paul and Barnabas were sent, they were already involved in their local church. If you are considering going, you should be involved in your local church. Share the gospel, make disciples, and serve alongside others. Build meaningful relationships with people of different ages and backgrounds in your church. Also, reach out to those God has brought to your city from other cultural backgrounds. Practice hospitality by opening your home and life to others.
The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Start taking steps today to discern if you should be a goer sent from your church.
To further help you discern God’s leading, also read “Four Questions to Discern if I’m a Goer”.
