how to know if i should just go somewhere...

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5


...for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6

Mediatate on Romans 12:2 and then go talk to your Pastor and Elders.

It is unlikely that God is going to send you a special message by Federal Express outlining exactly which destination is yours. You should not be waiting for a signal like this to get started.

I do agree that praying with your Pastor and elders is a very good idea.

I then suggest that you get started in a small way. Start small and build up. I am often amazed by Christians who feel "they want to do something" ... then start contemplating how they might leap over the Grand Canyon. The Lord does not require people to do superhuman feats. He can start working with you ... where you are right now.

A good place to start is by participating in short-term missions trips. They can help you build a bridge to areas within the USA or overseas. They allow you to connect with destinations and people already working in the missions field. Once you do that - everything will take on a much better focus. And if, for some reason, a particular destination does not work out - then you won't have wasted too much time and energy.

Hence the approach I am suggesting is based on letting things develop ... and looking for God's guidance as things happen.

best wishes,
Gideon123

you'll figure it out.

~ "Go into the world and preach the Gospel..." seems to be more of a command than a suggestion.
~ I am of the opinion that every Christian should consider mission work as a vocation and lifestyle unless you are specifically led elsewhere. It is default mode!
~ If your pastor does not want you to go, you need to discuss with him why. Is he opposed to you going due to your maturity or lack of knowledge? Or does he have bad theology? (That one happens a lot.)
~ Several of the very effective missionaries around the world in the past were told they should not go for a variety of reasons by missions boards, churches, denominations, pastors, families etc...
~ Prepare yourself spiritually, as well as emotionally, mentally, and culturally.
~ Is there any place, culture, or people group in the world that you have been interested in for a long time? That would be one way to provide some direction to where you want to go. You might have found a knack with learning lots of history or factoids about a place. Or maybe you have a bunch of friends from one certain place.
~ Look for a couple of short term mission teams to join up with to learn some of the ropes.
~ Start to learn one or two foreign languages in depth! It is much more helpful than having a translator all the time to depend on.
~ Learn to eat anything and everything. You can eat some VERY interesting things if travel. (bugs, brains, fertilized half developed chicken and duck eggs, dog, cat, etc...) You can also get stuck some place that has NO chocolate, no corn chips, no katsup, no burgers!
~ Realize that not everyone takes a bath or showers daily. Some not weekly or even monthly. Some groups in fact have people that take only two baths in their entire lives! Once when born and once when married. (Another when they die, but then it does no good.) Are you willing and able to stomach that? (I have been in places that stunk so bad with body odor that you wished a baby would cr** its diapers just to freshen the air!) Can you do without running water for a few months? How about no electricity? This is not even mentioning issues with toilets! Some people like to argue, while for others it is the height of rudeness. In some places sarcasm is an art form (Cebu for example) while in other places it is considered extreemly poor taste (China). Can you pick up on these facts quickly and live with them? These sorts of differences excite many (myself for example) but others do not want to even consider these issues. However, we should go where we are called, even if there are things we don't like.
~ Again, I think everyone should go as that is what we are commanded to do. Pray about it a lot and see the areas that you need to grow in to be ready to go when you are supposed to.
~ Get a passport if you don't already have one.
~ Continue to discuss amongst yourselves...

Peace,

Leimeng


Flatulo Ergo Sum ~~~


(***Insert Personal One Liner Here***)

"thanks,i have talked to my pastor but im not sure if he wants me to go"

OK ... you've taken Step 1.
Let's stop and evaluate.
Do you feel a strong call to missions at this stage?
Do you feel that God is really calling you to missions at this time?

I suggest a lot of prayer to answer these two questions.
But set youself a time limit. Say one month.
You should be able to get both answers in that time period.
Set aside some dedicated prayer time for this.

There are a variety of reasons why pastors can be wishy-washy.

1. Quite often it boils down to funding. Your pastor may not feel the church has the funds to help you. The current time is a very difficult time for church finances everywhere - churches are going broke. Pastors may be facing hard decisions about cutting programs or people. In this environment - the commitment of a church to missions can be seriously tested. Only the finest pastors might rise to the call under this kind of stress. Be honest - ask your pastor if money is a key issue. And let me add - as far as God is concerned money should NEVER be a key issue in such a decision. So that is part of the struggle (!).

2. Perhaps your pastor feels you are not yet prepared, or you lack the background. In that case, ask him directly if he feels that you are not ready, and can he suggest steps that will get you ready. Look for a concrete program. Things you do. A timescale for getting it done. The purpose is to prevent wishy-washy decision making. If you truly are not prepared - God will help you get there!

3. Then there are the multitude of churches who "talk the talk" but just don't "walk the walk" about missions. The reasons are many. But their commitment is shallow, they are evasive, often are guided by fear and doubt, and can be a great hindrance to anyone who wants to serve the Lord. How sad. But I have seen it happen to people. It's like trying to learn to swim, and having an anchor tied around your neck. A reluctant church is just like that anchor. What a nightmare for God. If you decide that you are committed to missions, and you find that your church is not - then may be you need to find a new church. I am serious. These lukewarm churches do enormous harm to Gods work in the world. Some of these pastors are lucky that I am a Christian myself ... otherwise i might have prayed for some 2 x 4's and a bucket of paint. So I could nail the doors of their church shut, and paint in big letters "Going Out Of Business - Everything 50% Off!". Hahahahaha ! Christianity was not invented so that some folks could find a warm comfy spot to live out their quiet little lives.

Try the steps I have suggested.
Post back on what happens.
Takes some time to really dig into what is going on.
Most of all - PRAY !!!

cheers,
Gideon123