how do I prepare for missions?

[lighting the day]

Hi- I am a sophomore in highschool. I feel a very strong call from God to prepare for the mission field. I really feel that God is leading me into a service of long-term mission work. I want to work to prepare myself for a life on the mission field, if God continues to pull me in that direction. My question is if you have any advice for me about what I can do now, as a student with limited resources, to prepare myself for the mission field. I am open to any suggestions. I also would like to know the qualities that a mission board looks for in a missionary. In other words, what will I need to do to prepare myself to be able to meet standards above and beyond that of a mission board.
Thank you very much.
-Frannie

 

[ElElohe]

concurring: STM's are a great way to do some personal field work in determining where you would best fit as God has gifted you. I have a number of resources relating to these (PM me for them). Studying abroad would be something similar.

And on other practical notes . . . I helped a large church develop a booklet geared toward's high schoolers wanting to be in missions, just to answer this question! So I have a list for you:

~Start keeping a mailing list, and periodically send a newsletter (doesn't have to be too often till you have made a decision.)

~ Read these books:
Send me!
Funding Your Ministry
Friend Raising
Tortured for Christ
Operation World
Let the Nations Be Glad (This is a much abbreviated list)

~Find a mentor, someone who has been a missionary

~ Learn another language

~ Host and exchange student or room with an international student (In college, I was in the "International Dorm." In eating with people from my floor in the cafeteria, there was usually a different country represented for every person at the table!)

~If you have an inkling of where you'd like to go, research that region of the world!

~Sit in on the missions committee at your church

~ Pray! for the harvest, for the persecuted church.

~ Learn basic survival skills

~ Learn to play a portable instrument

~ Learn Scripture! Learn to evangalize! Zeal without knowledge is dangerous, and knowledge without zeal is apathy.

Again, this is very abbreviated. Lemme know if you want more!

Hi- I am a sophomore in highschool. I feel a very strong call from God to prepare for the mission field. I really feel that God is leading me into a service of long-term mission work. I want to work to prepare myself for a life on the mission field, if God continues to pull me in that direction. My question is if you have any advice for me about what I can do now, as a student with limited resources, to prepare myself for the mission field. I am open to any suggestions. I also would like to know the qualities that a mission board looks for in a missionary. In other words, what will I need to do to prepare myself to be able to meet standards above and beyond that of a mission board.
Thank you very much.
-Frannie

 

[ElElohe]

A couple of additions:

~take the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class if at all possible!

~see www.calebproject.org for researching regions and people groups, as well as other generaly info on becoming a missionary.

 

[Living4Him03]

1. Seek God in all you do and realize that satan will TRY to do anything he can to lead you away from God's call. Trust me, I have been there and done that and he certainly will try is hardest. Keep your faith and seek God in any and every situation and moment of your life. Pray for strength and direction as to where He is calling you to do missions.

2. Learn about differen cultures and lifestyles. You need to know where others are coming from so that you can better reach them with the gospel. Check out books from the library, go to cultural type events, etc.

3. Learn to "survive" on your own...help with cooking and cleaning and all the things that you would have to do if you were on your own doing missions somewhere

4. Talk to other missionaries and those who have just come back from missions. Find out what their experiences have been and what they did to prepare.

I also agree with the other advice given here. God bless you!

 

[Koryu]

How to start......how to start.....first of all let me say that it is wonderful to hear that you are listening to God’s call in your life. To often we get so wrapped up in our own lives that we neglect to hear God’s call. This past summer I went on my first short-term mission trip (I'm a sophomore too btw!) and seriously struggled with the same questions you are. I had a wonderful support team around me (including my pastor who is a missionary to China) to help me with them but in the end it all came down to my relationship with God. In truth, you can never be 100% prepared for the field. This is in no way meant to be discouraging, you just never know what is going to happen. Trust in God, read you bible, pray, pray, pray.....did I mention pray? But above all: have fun. This is something that will impact you for the rest of your life, so make is a fun and memorable time. Well, may God bless you in your travels and I wish you the best of times where ever he leads you! God bless!

Hi- I am a sophomore in highschool. I feel a very strong call from God to prepare for the mission field. I really feel that God is leading me into a service of long-term mission work. I want to work to prepare myself for a life on the mission field, if God continues to pull me in that direction. My question is if you have any advice for me about what I can do now, as a student with limited resources, to prepare myself for the mission field. I am open to any suggestions. I also would like to know the qualities that a mission board looks for in a missionary. In other words, what will I need to do to prepare myself to be able to meet standards above and beyond that of a mission board.
Thank you very much.
-Frannie