Am I called overseas

John55107 said:

Now, I don't expect any of you to know this, because you aren't God but I got a word from the Lord back in September 2018 when a big evangelical pastor, James Tan spoke at our church. He was talking about Apostilles and Apostolic missions and he said that there were people in the room that were called to office type works. And then he said, like someone thought "well i dont know I wanna go there cause there all drinking and doing things that they shouldnt do", and then he said "maybe that's why your called there" I've been to China, and when I was there I was binge drinking a lot, which I don't do anymore, haven't since I was there. I've stopped smoking weed and I don't get drunk. I really feel that was for me, because I was thinking that exact thought. (Coincidence?) I feel like 80% it was for me, and that I am called there. Could I be called overseas to China? Will the Lord show me more? I have been searching for purpose in life.

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If you don't know...probably not.
Those that are called to a certain place...can do no other.

The church I once attended had a great program for discerning missionary callings. I went through it and knew I wasn’t meant to be a missionary. But the draw I felt to two areas since childhood were part of my calling. It wasn’t happenstance. I’ll be studying in each.

I would inquire how this is handled at your church. You’d need to address practical matters including work and financial support. Some churches provide it and others don’t.

You should also research missionary organizations that deal with China. It is a closed country and there are risks. Otherwise, you can teach English overseas before committing to something long-term.

John55107 said:

My pastor said that what we feel we need to trust that God would open doors for us. Would you agree?

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I think it’s important to be prepared and work with God. A short-term trip would be ideal. It may take awhile for you to discern what the Lord desires you to do in China.

Most missionaries overestimate their support and don’t factor in unexpected changes or loss of income from their supporters. I don’t recommend relying on that as your source of income. You will have a lot of stress.

If China is where you’re meant to go make sure you can work. It alleviates a lot of pressure and gives you the resources to explore the culture and meet new people.

You can start working on mandarin if you aren’t fluent. That will come in handy and make you more attractive to sending agencies. Finally, build up your savings. You’ll be glad you did if this is your calling.

John55107 said:

Now, I don't expect any of you to know this, because you aren't God but I got a word from the Lord back in September 2018 when a big evangelical pastor, James Tan spoke at our church. He was talking about Apostilles and Apostolic missions and he said that there were people in the room that were called to office type works. And then he said, like someone thought "well i dont know I wanna go there cause there all drinking and doing things that they shouldnt do", and then he said "maybe that's why your called there" I've been to China, and when I was there I was binge drinking a lot, which I don't do anymore, haven't since I was there. I've stopped smoking weed and I don't get drunk. I really feel that was for me, because I was thinking that exact thought. (Coincidence?) I feel like 80% it was for me, and that I am called there. Could I be called overseas to China? Will the Lord show me more? I have been searching for purpose in life.

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What I find is that when God has called somebody to something, the barriers of obeying that calling seem to fall away. If it becomes very easy to do something that will be a big challenge, that could be an indication that God is calling.

In the end, only you can say for certain.

Still, on a personal level, it is very difficult for me to buy into the idea of international missions anymore. America is experiencing a decline in Christian belief. And yet, for some reason a lot of Christian bodies still think they need international missionaries. I have no idea why.

I don't think America needs to send missionaries to the orient. I think we need to send them to the suburbs.

John55107 said:

because you aren't God but I got a word from the Lord back in September 2018 when a big evangelical pastor, James Tan spoke at our church. He was talking about Apostilles and Apostolic missions and he said that there were people in the room that were called to office type works. And then he said, like someone thought "well i dont know I wanna go there cause there all drinking and doing things that they shouldnt do", and then he said "maybe that's why your called there" I've been to China, and when I was there I was binge drinking a lot, which I don't do anymore, haven't since I was there. I've stopped smoking weed and I don't get drunk. I really feel that was for me, because I was thinking that exact thought. (Coincidence?) I feel like 80% it was for me, and that I am called there.

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Given the circumstances you describe, I can almost guarantee that you aren't being called to China. First, I don't think that the Lord would call you to go back somewhere that had proven to be so severe a stumbling block to your Christian walk in the past. Second, China already has a strong native (albeit persecuted) church:

"...at the end of 2006, the most senior religious official in China was reported by the Xinhua News Agency as revealing that the number of Christians in China had reached 130 million. Ye Xiaowen, the director of the Religious Affairs Bureau, an arm of the Chinese government, made the statement at two closed meetings held at Beijing University and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. His figure included approximately 20 million Catholics. Ye is the same man who, in June 1997, described all unregistered house church groups as “evil, illegal organizations that undermine social order.”

Ironically, such a high figure as 130 million must include a very large component of members of the very groups he so strongly condemned.

This was the first time that any Chinese official had come out with such a high figure, but it seems to be quite consistent—allowing for growth in the interim—with the CCRC’s claim 14 years earlier that a government report indicated that there were then 75 million Christians in the country. Ye’s announcement likewise got a mixed reaction. Some people welcomed it as a vindication of what they had been saying for years, others made light of it and demanded evidence, while others chose simply to ignore it.

Main Article"

I'm glad that you've put that period of your life behind you...But your going back wouldn't be anything like a victorious St. Patrick going back to Ireland. What it sounds more like is your personal response to an emotional appeal. The church version of the "feed the starving children in Africa" ads that used to run on TV, if you will.

While missionary work is a noble calling, it's not the correct answer to the question "I need to do something with my life."

I think perhaps you could consider reaching out for Christ to your next-door neigbhours and the neighbourhood before going somewhere far away. I'm certain that there are people living somewhat close to you that needs to hear the good news. Ask God to give you the opportunity to witness to them. Everything we do should be motivated by love and the glory of God. Keep that in mind.

John55107 said:

Now, I don't expect any of you to know this, because you aren't God but I got a word from the Lord back in September 2018 when a big evangelical pastor, James Tan spoke at our church. He was talking about Apostilles and Apostolic missions and he said that there were people in the room that were called to office type works. And then he said, like someone thought "well i dont know I wanna go there cause there all drinking and doing things that they shouldnt do", and then he said "maybe that's why your called there" I've been to China, and when I was there I was binge drinking a lot, which I don't do anymore, haven't since I was there. I've stopped smoking weed and I don't get drunk. I really feel that was for me, because I was thinking that exact thought. (Coincidence?) I feel like 80% it was for me, and that I am called there. Could I be called overseas to China? Will the Lord show me more? I have been searching for purpose in life.

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It could be a perfect fit for you. But only God knows if this is His specific call. Continue to pray about it. I would also recommend that you start to try to use the gift in your current environment. Find ways to reach out in your existing community. It need not be some thing massive, just small steps.

The first thing that Paul did was start where he was at then he moved outward. Start in your local area first. I don't know you personally so it would be a hard to give you an exact answer pertaining to this question, but start locally.