“I want to be a mishanare.” As a second-grader, this was my answer to an assignment to describe what we wanted to be when we grew up. My public school teacher probably thought it was a sweet answer from the pastor’s kid of the Baptist church in our town of 1,000 people. 

Fast forward several years. A single missionary to Brazil presented her ministry in my church. “What you’re learning right now in English and math will help you serve as a missionary.” Hmmm. That was a new thought. I needed to work hard in school because that would prepare me to be a missionary.

Look for Opportunities that Fit Your Background

Several years later as I was completing my master’s degree, I was looking for opportunities to teach missionary children on the mission field. None of the situations I had been presented with seemed like a good fit. Through God’s providences propelling me forward on this path to missions, I had a key conversation with a missionary. “How do you know where you should go? Do you look for the biggest need?” His answer? If you decided based on greatest need, how would you ever determine that? So, I headed to Papua New Guinea as a short-term missionary to teach missionary children for two years. This role fit well with my academic training, desires, life experiences, and friendships. For two years I lived with a friend I had gotten to know in graduate school, and my coworkers were from the same church I had attended during that time. The Lord kept me in PNG one more year to teach second grade in a newly formed national school. Then I headed back to the States to serve in the home office of Gospel Fellowship Association, the board under which I had served as a short-term missionary. 

Focus on Reaching Your Jerusalem

For years I wrestled with a desire to serve on the field. A conversation with my pastor was helpful. “What do I do with this desire for missions?” I asked. He asked what I meant by “missions.” Did I mean cross-cultural ministry? I was involved in a cross-cultural outreach with teens at my church. By missions did I mean that I loved evangelism? There were many lost people to evangelize right in my backyard. Was I reaching out to my Jerusalem? 

So, for 16 years I have served in various positions in GFA’s Home Office. Seven of those years I assisted GFA’s director of recruiting. He would say, “If a person is not a ‘10,’ he or she will not go to the mission field.” He often predicted with uncanny accuracy when prospective candidates would not make it to the mission field because he could tell they were not fully committed to pursuing this as a life calling. My work has allowed me to talk to many students about the high privilege of serving the Lord on the mission field and what might be the next step in determining if this is indeed God’s leading for them. 

Get to Know God

During the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to two restricted access nations to encourage our single missionaries working there. These are dark fields with minimal opportunity for fellowship with believers. These ladies have vibrant walks with the Lord. They know what it is to fellowship with Him, to bring their deepest burdens to Him. They know experientially what a lifeline the body of Christ is. As I’ve talked with young people interested in RAN countries since then, I’ve had this thought—are they spiritually strong enough for this environment? God’s grace is the only thing that enables and sustains any of us, but have they exercised their spiritual muscles enough to know where to run to for help when the challenges come? Are they prepared?

Are You a "10"?

Maybe you graduated 10, 15, or even 20 years ago. Maybe you’ve been serving faithfully in your local church. Maybe you’ve been pursuing the Lord with your whole heart. Maybe now you are prepared and should step out to pursue missions. Are you a “10”?