Exploring a call to cross-cultural mission

3 minute 22 second read

As a mobiliser for AWM-Pioneers, much of my time is spent talking to people who are wondering about their place in God’s mission to the nations. It feels like a genuine privilege to see how He has been working throughout people’s lives to move them to the point of making an enquiry with us.

If you’re wondering about your place in cross-cultural mission, you probably have many questions: Am I called to mission? Is God asking me to go to the nations? Should I start in this country? Could I spend years of my life in a far-flung land for Him? How do I know?

Alternatively, if someone you love is asking those sorts of questions you may be pondering how you can help guide them.

Who’s called to mission?

It’s an oft-repeated sentiment, but in one sense, we are all called to mission. The command of Christ to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ remains on His Church. The Great Commission requires the participation of people with a wide range of skills and roles. Prayer supporters, encouragers, advocates, and financial givers are vital, not just missionaries.

When I felt a call to mission, it was through a couple of short-term mission trips, one shorter, one for several months. And yet what I felt convicted by was not only the great need that there was for people to go, but also for people to prepare well. Through my experiences, God highlighted to me how important it was for those who go to have cross-cultural awareness, for them to be of godly character, and for them to be well equipped for the challenges they might face. In short, I felt a surprising call to mission to support others, not to go – at least not yet.

Some people have a very clear and specific sense of call to go. We see that in the testimonies of missionaries throughout the ages and throughout the Bible – from the call of Lilias Trotter to North Africa at a missionary talk, to the call of the Apostle Paul to go to the Gentiles. But for whatever reason, many people don’t feel that specific sense of call. Often instead their journey begins with a tentative step of faith, listening prayerfully for the leading of the Holy Spirit. Instead of a specific call, they may perhaps have a general passion for mission and are willing to go wherever the need presents itself.

Exploring a call

If then you are seriously thinking about going, how can you explore that call? I would suggest a few key things:

Pray for direction.

The need is great, mission is exciting, and mission presentations are often powerful, but don’t get so caught up that you neglect to pause and pray for wisdom and guidance. Keep on praying at every stage.

Pray for the nations.

Our first and foundational engagement with mission is through prayer. Learn about the needs around the world to pray with insight and ask the Lord to grow a passion for mission in you. As you pray, your sense of call to one people group, country, or ministry, may well grow also.

Be deliberate in seeking out cross-cultural experience.

Migration has brought the nations to us, so there are many places close to home with great opportunities to meet people from other cultural backgrounds. For many people, this is their mission field, but it can also be a launch pad to ministry further afield. As in my case, structured opportunities such as short-term teams or placements can also be a great way to gain an awareness of the realities of mission.

Seek wisdom in community.

The local church has the mandate of sending missionaries and is the primary setting for us to grow, learn, and hear together from God. If you’re considering cross-cultural mission and haven’t yet talked to your church about it, then do so!

Nurture skills for fruitful ministry.

Thinking carefully about how your skills, interests, and vocation could give you a platform for ministry can help bring direction to a time of preparation and seeking. Being deliberate about gaining these skills now will help shape your ministry later.

Talk to a mission agency.

We believe that mission agencies are a great resource for people thinking about cross-cultural mission! Have a conversation with an agency that works in an area that interests you and hear their thoughts on how you might fit. A good organisation will be interested in finding the right place for you and walking with you as you discern God’s call.