Is it possible that God is preparing you for a life of service in missions? If you are open to God’s perfect will and committed to do whatever He wants you to do, then here are several steps to discover God’s will regarding missions.
- Wait on the Lord – Spend much time in the Word and in prayer. Develop your devotion to Christ and your submission to His leadership. Pursue personal purity. Be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and let Him form Christ in you (Gal. 4:19; 5:16, 22-26; Matt. 5:3-12).
- Serve in the Local Church – Be faithful in worship, service, and stewardship. Discover and develop your spiritual gifts. Learn effectiveness in soul-winning and discipling. Get experience in every possible aspect of church ministry. Establish a strong testimony of dedication and spiritual fruitfulness.
- Seek Godly Counsel – Ask your pastor for guidance in seeking God’s purpose for your future. Meet with him regularly for evaluation and instruction. Seek parents, Christian teachers, and wise associates for help with direction and motivation.
- Develop a Concern for Missions – Read missions books and missionary biographies. Attend missions conferences. Talk with missionaries.
- Study needs and opportunities around the globe. Write to mission boards for literature and information.
- Pursue Proper Training – If the above steps seem to be leading in the direction of vocational missionary service, lay the appropriate foundation. Thorough training in Bible doctrine and missions is essential. Talk to mission representatives for further counsel regarding your future goals and personal development and preparation for the mission field.
- Initiate Application to a Mission Board – If all the arrows continue to point toward foreign missionary service, let your pastor help you contact a mission board recommended by your home church. The screening process to follow will help determine God’s direction.
(Some churches act as a clearinghouse for their own missionaries. If this is the case in your own church, then your pastor will lead you in the process of raising support and getting to the field.)
Conclusion:
Make Your Life Count! – Whether at home or abroad, in “secular” employment, Christian ministry, or foreign missionary service, be sure to fulfill your personal potential in local witness and in doing all you can for world evangelism!
Equipped to be a Missionary
SWMI is seeking for missionaries to work among the Deaf in several different countries. But we are not looking for just any kind of person. Missionary work demands special qualities. What kind of person are we looking for?
- People of Character – SWMI needs men and women who have Christ-like character. That means they must demonstrate the character of Christ in their daily lives.
- People of Burden – SWMI seeks those who have a burden for lost souls worldwide, specifically for lost Deaf souls. The Deaf around the world need to know about Jesus!
- People of Vision – SWMI wants to work with people who have a vision for what God can do with them among the Deaf in a foreign country.
- People of Passion – SWMI requires that a missionary be one who has an excitement and zeal for reaching the Deaf and teaching God’s Word to them.
- People of Compassion – SWMI works with those who love people and show charity and mercy to them.
- People of Faith – SWMI needs people who have learned to trust God in the USA so that they will know how to trust God in a foreign country.
- People of Faithfulness – SWMI seeks people who have been faithful to God, family, church, and friends.
- People of Humility – SWMI needs someone who is not proud, someone who can work well with others and knows how to submit to authority.
- People of Patience – SWMI knows that the work with the Deaf overseas can take a lot of time. One must be willing to plant diligently, water the seed constantly, and then wait for the harvest patiently.
- People of Wisdom – SWMI wants laborers who are wise and discerning in their communication, activities, associations, and ministries.
All of these qualities are necessary to the ministry. It is not easy to work with the Deaf. It is not easy to work internationally where one must learn a foreign culture and usually a foreign language. Character is important. It is not easy to raise support on deputation. It is not easy to start a church or a deaf ministry. Character is required. It is not easy to work with foreign governments. It is not always easy to work with nationals either. All of the qualities listed above are vital to serving God!
Has God equipped you to be an international missionary to the Deaf?
SWMI Missionary Candidate Requirements
General Requirements Expected for a New Missionary Candidate with SWMI
- Saved, baptized, and member of independent Baptist church, in good fellowship with the church.
- Commissioned by church to go as missionary.
- Biblically prepared for ministry. (Usually means the person has some type of formal Bible training beyond any secular education. The requirements here vary, depending on the person. For example, we would expect more from a husband than from a wife.)
- Physically, emotionally, and financially stable. (Some health concerns may limit the choices of the field of service. Debts must be paid off before joining the mission.)
- Doctrinally sound and able to defend those doctrines Biblically. (in writing and verbally)
- Willing to work in a team ministry.
- Willing to work under the Principles, Policies, Procedures, and Practices of the mission.
Specifics about our requirements can be found by talking personally with us.
We are here to help you find the right mission board with which to serve. Most people are not called to serve with us. (We are looking for a few good men!) But we can help you decide if SWMI may be for you or not. We can make suggestions as to what questions you should ask when interviewing other mission agencies about future service with them. And we can even make suggestions as to which mission boards you should personally consider. Each mission agency is different. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Contact us to find out how we can help you to find the mission board that best fits you and your vision for ministry.
