Looking at the world’s needs today, someone with a passion to see Jesus worshipped among the nations, could easily be overwhelmed. Just narrowing a location down to a certain continent or people can be unnerving. But once you decide on a place, how do you prepare? I believe each person’s journey is unique. I want to give you just a few thoughts that may help you in your own journey.
One of the things that I have tried to do is pay attention to the circumstances and people God has placed in my life as well as the reoccurring themes that have been playing in my heart from the time I sensed God calling me in this direction.
Beyond this, I think we need to look at compatibility with the culture as well as “access.” By compatibility, I mean, can you see you and your family living in a particular nation or region long term? Have you visited the place and spent time with some of the people? Do you have an idea of what the culture is like and do you feel like you would have the grace to engage it with the Gospel?
By access I mean, is the society generally ready to at least listen to what you have to say? Is your nationality generally welcome? Do you see an open door or a potential place for yourself? Do you have the ability to secure a visa to live and work in the country long term?
Sometimes, these answers come to us as we go, but I believe God will help us to see some things in advance to encourage our hearts. So, once you narrow down a people or a place, how then do you begin to prepare?
The Scripture says that God’s people would volunteer freely in the day of his power. (Psalm 110:3 NASB). Both my wife and I were sovereignly and supernaturally drawn to a time and place where God was moving by His power to save, deliver, and call many people through revival. We were two of those people.
Being a part of a global hearted church/movement where God’s power is at work is key. You will only be able to really give what you have already received! Because I came to faith during revival and grew up in my faith around missionaries and mission supporters, I saw the possibilities of serving in another nation. I began believing that what God had done for us, he could certainly do for others! So, I began asking God for open doors and opportunities.
By his grace, I was able to travel 14 different nations, all before age 30. Each place I traveled, I was able to participate in God’s work in those nations. Maybe you can’t travel to that many places, but you can begin asking God to show you where he may have you travel on a short term mission. Just because you go to one country doesn’t necessarily mean that God will call you to that country or people. But as you begin to step out in faith, God can begin to steer you to the people and opportunities he has prepared for you.
As I have sensed God calling me to serve cross culturally and to be a catalyst for missions, my calling has been tried and refined through seasons of waiting and testing. This is a critical part of God’s process for our lives. We must go through the refiner’s fire if we want to come out as pure gold. Some people short cut the process to their own hurt.
I have sought to serve at each place in my journey, never giving up on the deep down calling that I know has been placed on my life, despite the difficulties I faced. My passion to serve God in the nations endured through every season, whether I was serving in full time ministry or not.
It is important that you continue your discipleship journey, bring your family along with you, and build key relationships with people who have been called to come along side you in prayer and “hold the line” as you are released to go forward.
Finally, you have to be willing to lay it all down. God proved to me that I had the ability to make a six figure income if I decided to stay and work in the United States, but it only made it all the more sweet to give it all up to follow Him to the nations.
