The missionary calling can seem so mysterious that even committed disciples of Christ have difficulty wrapping their minds around what it requires. Without a clear sense of missionary qualifications, one could mistakenly assume they don’t have what it takes.

Lack of experience, underdeveloped gifting, marginal evangelistic aptitude, or an inability to commit to long-term service can present themselves as insurmountable barriers. But what if those supposed barriers were actually God’s signposts toward the type of missionary service He is equipping you to pursue?

Julie* found that it was precisely her struggle with language acquisition that the Lord used to connect her to a national who He would use, with Julie’s assistance, to powerfully share the gospel with many.

Drew’s* inability to move overseas long term led him to support national pastors in Asia through regular short-term trips. Through event-based theological training, he can spur on many national pastors in a country where long-term visas are difficult to acquire.

How do you tell the difference between true barriers to missionary service and mere signposts toward or away from certain ministry types?

How do you tell the difference between true barriers to missionary service and mere signposts toward or away from certain ministry types? One of the best ways to find answers, in addition to consulting the Lord Himself, is talking with a recruiter at a missions organization, such as one of MTW’s candidate specialists. Sharing your concerns with someone who can answer your questions and connect you to those with experience goes a long way toward providing clarity.

What is really needed to be a missionary? The following list of qualifications should be seen more as trajectory goals. Organizations like Mission to the World come alongside missionary candidates to help them grow and develop in these and other ways as they prepare for service. A heart posture toward growth is primary.

1. A Growing Relationship with Jesus

Lost people look for evidence of hope. A disciple of Christ who demonstrates ongoing transformation through daily dependence upon the Lord for joy and peace will not only be able to thrive in a difficult setting, but will, by God’s grace, exemplify the good news to those God is drawing to Himself. Missionaries need to be people who pursue regular time with the Lord to receive spiritual sustenance and guidance.

2. A Conviction of God’s Love and Care for You

Many missionaries have struggled with burnout, realizing that they moved overseas out of a subconscious sense of obligation or a need to accomplish great things for God. Unless a missionary is willing to accept their loving Father’s high priority for their own personal well-being (in every way—spiritual, physical, emotional, etc.) they will not prioritize self-care habits that can sustain the pressures of missionary life or represent an accurate depiction of the gospel. Read more about ways missionaries can stay healthy here.

3. A Heart of Compassion for Others

Life in a foreign context can quickly rub up against a missionary’s sense of fairness, social decency, and personal rights. A commitment to pursue compassion for others during both endearing interactions and off-putting ones is integral to maintaining a faithful gospel witness.

4. A Teachable Spirit

Missionary life is characterized by constant transition, confusing situations, and interpersonal struggles. A willingness to learn from others, adjust your expectations, admit when you’ve been wrong, and move forward in weakness is necessary. God is so gracious to walk with us and help us in all these things, but humility to be stretched and grow through it is crucial.

5. Experience Sharing Your Own Faith Journey with Others

Many discount themselves as missionary candidates on the grounds that they don’t have the spiritual gift of evangelism, or formal training in how to do it. Yet the Lord regularly uses people with all types of gifting to bear witness to the good news, and quite often it is simply through willingness to share their own journey of faith.

As 1 Peter 3:15 instructs, believers must all be ready to explain to others the hope that is within them. Those lacking experience with this can begin today by sharing their spiritual journey with believing friends, working up to talking about it with unbelievers.

6. Willingness to Serve in the Local Church with Humility

Missionaries must be ready to jump in and help in a variety of ways in their local church regardless of their ministry focus. Spiritual maturity and volunteer manpower is often in short supply on the mission field, so missionaries are often needed to fill roles that they wouldn’t typically volunteer for in their home country.

This requires more humility than you might imagine. A medical professional may be called upon to serve in children’s ministry or to help set up chairs and print song sheets. Someone with a limited vocal range may be needed to help lead music. The goal is always to gather local believers and help them slowly take ownership of ministry roles as well, but this can take a long time, so great humility and servanthood is needed from missionaries.

The goal is always to gather local believers and help them slowly take ownership of ministry roles as well, but this can take a long time, so great humility and servanthood is needed from missionaries.

7. A Committed Sending Body

Anyone who moves to a spiritually dark environment will need people who know them well, can speak truth to them, will get behind their decision to go, and will commit to being there for them through thick and thin. Missionaries need a sending church that is ready to fill this role.

The beautiful thing is, when the body of Christ contributes to one another spanning the globe like this, the gospel gets proclaimed all the more wholistically to the watching world. Read more about how missionary candidates and sending churches can form strong relationships here.

These missionary qualifications may seem surprisingly basic to Christian discipleship. The truth is that God uses all sorts of people with all kinds of limitations to spread the good news around the world. This doesn’t mean that all people are called to move overseas as missionaries, but it does mean that He is faithful to equip humble and willing disciples who seek to be led by Him on mission.

Interested in serving with MTW? Browse opportunities at mtw.org/serve or fill out a Get Started form to talk with a candidate specialist.

*Names have been changed.