In most cases, you will need a credible platform to be there. This will oftentimes be something related to the visible needs of the community, yet that provides a means of support. For example, you could operate an orphanage or a medical clinic. You will also need contacts on the ground—someone who speaks the language if you do not, or someone who can help you navigate the different culture. Some African villages still have kings!
Even before you go, you need to consider personnel. Who will go to the country, and who will stay back and ‘hold the rope?’ What are the qualifications of the people who will be sent out? It seems reasonable that missionaries should be held to the same standards as an elder (1 Tim. 3, Titus 1, etc.), since they will be performing many of the same roles as an elder. Someone who does not meet the qualifications for an elder at home can probably not be sent out to establish churches in a foreign land. Students, if you desire to go out as a missionary, then, think about your life. Are you consciously living in line with the biblical expectations for eldership? Are you examining your life and doctrine to prepare for the calling of missions?
Another major consideration for missionaries is the language in the place where they are going. In some African nations, for example, the trade language is one of the major European languages, a holdover from the colonial days. The ‘heart language’ of the people, however, is often a traditional or tribal language. Which language should a missionary learn? The best path is probably to try and learn the ‘heart’ language of whatever people group you want to minister to, though knowing the trade language could also be useful for outreach. The other advantage of knowing the trade language is that you could prepare before entering the country, which is probably not possible with many tribal languages. In either case, speaking the language well is crucially important because almost everything is communicated orally.
Also, there is the question of what to do about indigenous believers. These people know the language and culture, but desperately need training. Discipleship and Bible teaching will be crucial aspects of the ‘shepherding’ role that a missionary must fill. Preparation must be made beforehand for these roles. A missionary should be equipped to lead these people to greater maturity, relying on the sovereign work of the Spirit through the Word of God. Building up a group of indigenous pastors is the long term goal of missions because those men will be best equipped to minister to the people group they know.
Finally, what would you do as a missionary to prepare indigenous Christians for persecution? This consideration is not grim, though it may be sobering. Suffering is something that Jesus gives the church for its health, for its joy, and for the sake of its outward ministry to the unconverted (2 Cor. 12:10, 1 Peter 4:13, 2 Cor. 4:10-11). The church should always expect to suffer for their testimony. Faithfulness in the church is often refined by fire (Rev. 2:8-11, 1 Peter 4:12). When it comes, the people you minister to should be prepared for it. In closing, if you want to be a missionary, think about these questions. Are you ready to lead people to suffer for the sake of Christ? Have you settled in your own heart and mind, with absolute certainty, the fact that the reproach of Christ is greater riches than all the treasures of this world (Heb. 11:25)? Does your life, that is, do your daily decisions reflect the supreme value of knowing Jesus (Phil. 3:8)?
Are you ready to suffer and die for Him?
--Dean of Admissions
--Dean of Admissions
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