Are you ready to go? What it really takes to be a missionary

Missionary work has long been seen as a noble and sacrificial vocation, one dedicated to spreading the message of faith across the globe. Yet, what does it truly mean to be a missionary? The popular image often depicts missionaries as individuals traveling to remote, underserved parts of the world, sharing the gospel, and addressing the physical and spiritual needs of the people they encounter. While this is indeed one aspect of missionary life, the reality is far more complex, challenging, and deeply transformative.

In this article, we explore the multifaceted role of a missionary—what it involves, the preparation required, the sacrifices made, and the rewards experienced. Being a missionary is not just about crossing geographical borders but also cultural, emotional, and spiritual ones. It is a calling that requires deep faith, resilience, and a willingness to step outside of one's comfort zone to serve others.

1. Understanding the Missionary Call

The first and most important step in being a missionary is understanding the call. For many, this call may come as a sudden, divine prompting, while for others, it is a gradual unfolding of purpose over time. The missionary call is often grounded in a deep sense of compassion, a desire to share the love of Christ, and a burden to see others transformed by the gospel.

Historically, the term "missionary" has been closely linked to the work of evangelism. Missionaries are those who go to places where the gospel has not yet reached, sharing the message of Jesus Christ. However, in a more modern context, missionary work also encompasses social justice, humanitarian efforts, and community development. In essence, to be a missionary is to be a representative of Christ, working to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of people, regardless of their background.

For many, the call is specific, whether to a particular region or group of people, but for others, it is more general. The decision to become a missionary is often born out of a profound desire to make a difference, to answer the Great Commission from Matthew 28:19-20, and to be part of a global movement of love and reconciliation.

2. The Missionary Life: Living Among the People

The life of a missionary is characterized by immersion in the local culture. Unlike traditional forms of travel, being a missionary requires a deep level of commitment to living and serving among the people of a particular place. This is often referred to as "incarnational ministry," where missionaries make the intentional decision to live as the people they serve do, adopting their lifestyles, languages, and practices while remaining rooted in their faith.

Living among the people means that missionaries must learn the local language and customs, build relationships, and adapt to the ways of life that may be vastly different from their own. It can also mean adjusting to local food, weather, and social norms—sometimes enduring hardships that test one's resolve and adaptability.

For example, in rural areas, missionaries may be responsible for farming, building schools, or setting up healthcare initiatives. In urban settings, they might be involved in youth outreach, teaching, or business development. The point is that being a missionary is not just about "preaching" but about becoming part of the community and meeting people where they are, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

3. Missionary Preparation: Equipping for the Journey

The preparation for missionary work is rigorous and multifaceted. While the sense of calling is critical, missionaries need training and support to succeed in their work. Preparation can involve formal theological education, language immersion, cultural sensitivity training, and practical skills development.

Missionaries often attend mission schools or theological seminaries to gain a deeper understanding of Christian doctrine, biblical studies, and missiology—the study of mission work. This formal education equips them to preach the gospel accurately and contextualize it to various cultures. Beyond theology, missionaries must learn about the history, customs, and social dynamics of the regions they are going to. Understanding these elements is essential for effective ministry, as what works in one culture may not be appropriate in another.

Practical skills are also vital in missionary preparation. These could include anything from medical training to teaching skills, from learning how to run a business in a developing economy to understanding the logistics of building a community center. The ability to respond to practical needs—such as access to clean water, healthcare, or education—can open doors for spiritual ministry and create lasting impact in the community.

Preparation is not limited to practical training; it also requires a deep personal commitment. Missionaries must cultivate a lifestyle of prayer, humility, and resilience. They must be ready to face loneliness, homesickness, and the emotional toll that comes with being separated from family and loved ones. Missionary work is, by nature, long-term and requires unwavering dedication.

4. The Sacrifices of a Missionary

To be a missionary requires making significant sacrifices. Missionaries often leave behind the comforts and security of their home countries, including family, friends, and familiar environments. Many will experience a sense of displacement as they enter cultures that may seem unfamiliar, difficult, or hostile to their message.

The sacrifices go beyond material comforts. Missionaries may face health risks, including exposure to diseases, malnutrition, or unsafe living conditions. They also confront emotional and psychological challenges, as the constant pressure of living in a foreign land can be overwhelming. The isolation can be deep, as the support system of home is far away, and building new relationships takes time and effort.

There are also financial sacrifices. Many missionaries live on modest budgets, relying on donations or personal savings. The funds are often used for community projects, medical outreach, and other forms of service rather than personal luxuries.

The most profound sacrifice, however, is the commitment to a life of service, where the focus is not on personal gain but on the wellbeing of others. This sacrifice extends to witnessing suffering, injustice, and oppression without always being able to change the system entirely, yet continuing to work with patience and faith.

5. The Rewards of Missionary Work

Though missionary work involves significant sacrifices, it also comes with immense rewards. Many missionaries speak of the deep joy and fulfillment that comes from seeing lives transformed through the gospel. There is a unique satisfaction in knowing that one's work is contributing to eternal change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

One of the most rewarding aspects of missionary work is seeing people come to faith in Christ and witnessing the growth of indigenous churches. Missionaries may plant the seeds, but it is the local believers who carry on the work, creating sustainable and contextually appropriate ministries that thrive long after the missionary has left.

In addition to spiritual rewards, missionaries often form deep, lifelong relationships with the people they serve. Many missionaries return home with a sense of gratitude and joy, having experienced a shared humanity that transcends cultural boundaries. These relationships enrich the missionary’s life and deepen their faith as they witness the power of God’s love at work in diverse contexts.

Moreover, missionaries often find that their own faith is strengthened through the challenges they face. The journey forces them to rely on God in new and profound ways, and they experience growth in patience, perseverance, and trust.

6. The Global Impact of Missionaries

Missionaries are not just individuals seeking to spread their faith; they play a role in the broader global mission of justice, reconciliation, and compassion. Many missionaries are involved in areas of development work, advocating for human rights, and responding to urgent humanitarian needs. These efforts have long-term effects, such as better education, healthcare, and infrastructure in impoverished areas.

Moreover, missionaries play a critical role in the global church, not only by bringing the gospel to unreached people but also by facilitating the global exchange of ideas, theological insights, and cultural perspectives. As they live and serve in different contexts, missionaries enrich the worldwide body of Christ, providing fresh understandings of the faith from diverse cultures.

Conclusion

To be a missionary is to embark on a journey of faith, sacrifice, and service. It is not a career but a calling that demands a whole-hearted commitment to the Great Commission and to the people whom missionaries serve. It is a life of challenges and rewards, of pushing through personal discomfort to bring light to places of darkness, of sowing seeds that may not bear fruit for many years.

As the world continues to change, the need for missionaries remains as vital as ever. For those who are called, the question is not simply, "Are you ready to go?" but rather, "Are you ready to be transformed?" Being a missionary means embracing God's call to go to the ends of the earth, not just to share the gospel, but to share your life, with all its joys and sacrifices, for the sake of others. It is a life that shapes both the missionary and the people they serve, a life that reflects the heart of God and His eternal love for the world.