I started writing this post a while ago*, I’ve been reflecting on barriers Jesus had to work out in me before I’d budge and come to the foreign mission field. Right now, Papua New Guinea has quite a few roles that need to be filled. Teachers for when the school can open again, skilled tech guys to work on servers and infrastructure, builders of buildings, accountants, and nurses. One can see the current opportunities list for Papua New Guinea here.
When we first considered actually doing foreign missions, a number of things held me back. If I can survive through these, there is a really good chance that so can you. At least consider where God has you now and where He might want to put you. Pray about it.
A short list of mental obstacles:
- I don’t know how global missions even works, let alone my part in it.
- I’m not a teacher or an evangelist.
- Learning another language is an impossibility for me!
- Aren’t missionaries all “super spiritual” or “Bible geniuses”?
- Missionary kids are always well behaved angels.**
- Missionary parents are perfect parents.***
- We have to sell our house/stuff?
- But I don’t wanna be poor.
- Raising support? What?
If any of these are sounding familiar to you, or perhaps one of these is keeping you from working in a full-time ministry. Let me tell you that you’re not alone and each item here has a cure.
Don’t know how it works? Lookup some resources… https://omf.org/us/6-ways/ “6 Ways to Reach God’s World” was one tool the Lord used to teach me.
- I don’t know how global missions even works, let alone my part in it.
See above, talk to your church leadership, look up different agencies to find out what positions they have needing filled. - I’m not a teacher or an evangelist.
Nope, neither am I and that’s ok. There’s a whole team behind every teacher and church planter enabling them to focus on their work. - Learning another language is an impossibility for me!
That might be…can’t help you there. - Aren’t missionaries all “super spiritual” or “Bible geniuses”?
No. We’re human, just like you. - Missionary kids are always well behaved angels.**
Sometimes, they are! Come, meet my kids… - Missionary parents are perfect parents.***
See above… - We have to sell our house/stuff?
Well, you don’t technically have to sell them. I know some who rent their house out. Less stuff is often a good thing anyways though. - But I don’t wanna be poor.
No one does, at least no one I’ve met. Check out Philippians 4:11-13 - Raising support? What?
Well, you didn’t want to be poor, right? Check out Philippians 4:14-20. You partners are your support group, your prayer team, and your financial support. Your team are your partners in ministry.
*Seriously, this is a draft from 2017 that I’ve modified and updated.
**At this point, I know there are some seasoned missionaries literally laughing their heads off!
***Pastors, yes I know you’re lumped in the same stereotype all too often.