{"id":5563,"date":"2021-09-17T13:45:02","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T05:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/3cmspace.com\/?p=5563"},"modified":"2021-09-17T13:45:02","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T05:45:02","slug":"5-ways-to-prepare-for-long-term-missions-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/5-ways-to-prepare-for-long-term-missions-service\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Prepare for Long-Term Missions Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feeling the conviction to serve in\u00a0long-term missions<\/a>\u00a0is an exciting time in any Christian\u2019s life. It may come during a\u00a0short-term mission trip<\/a>\u00a0or an engaging sermon at church. It may shock you or feel like exactly what you\u2019ve been waiting for.<\/p>\n

But however you felt led to long-term missions, you\u2019re probably wondering, \u201cWhat do I do now?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

My\u00a0calling<\/a>\u00a0to serve God in missions came at the age of 14, in the form of an unmistakable inner conversation with God that I couldn\u2019t ignore. That started me on the path of preparation. Since then, I\u2019ve not only served in missions but also helped prepare many others to do the same.<\/p>\n

Here are five key tips for preparing for long-term\u00a0missions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. Prepare your heart.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Learning to hear God\u2019s voice is absolutely foundational, not just for His commands but for the nurture of our spirits, for guidance and for simple delight! Without Him, we can do nothing.<\/p>\n

So, grow your relationship with Him. Go deep into the Scripture and let God show you how to apply it in your life.\u00a0Learn to hear God\u2019s voice in the circumstances of your life and cultivate joy in His presence.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 life is the example for us. He was sent by the Father to accomplish a mission, but His priority remained His relationship with the Father.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not sure where to start, I recommend Skye Jethani\u2019s book\u00a0With<\/em><\/a>\u00a0as a helpful guide to growing your relationship with God. You might also pick up Dallas Willard\u2019s\u00a0Hearing God<\/em><\/a>. Though not an easy read, it is like having a thoughtful mentor help you work through deep questions on how God speaks to us.<\/p>\n

2. Pay attention to your relationships.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What are your relationship strengths and weaknesses? What has been your hardest relationship, and why was it hard? Don\u2019t overlook those pain points, but open yourself up to understanding how you do relationships and where you need to grow.<\/p>\n

Several years ago, the Canadian International Development Agency conducted studies asking,\u00a0\u201cWhat characteristics does a person need to be effective in an intercultural posting?\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Their study found that the ability to make good connections and develop deeper, long-lasting relationships with local people was the most powerful factor in\u00a0intercultural effectiveness<\/a>, satisfaction in an assignment and the sustainability of their projects.<\/p>\n

In addition, \u201cthe second major predictor of success was a strong sense of self-identity, which allowed people to be real with each other. People who are comfortable with themselves tend to be authentic and avoid pretense in relationships.\u201d (Cited in\u00a0Cross-Cultural Servanthood<\/em><\/a>, by Duane Elmer, p. 96.)<\/p>\n

During this preparation phase, make sure to put yourself in the place to create and sustain deep relationships.<\/strong>\u00a0If you aren\u2019t in a small group at church, join one!\u00a0Be intentional about creating community<\/a>\u00a0if you can\u2019t find it. And be on the lookout for places and ways to begin relationships with people of other cultural groups.<\/p>\n

3. Develop your knowledge and skills.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What knowledge base, skill set, professional certification or educational achievement will help you offer your best to others? What do you dream of doing \u201cthere\u201d?\u00a0Have you done it here yet?<\/a><\/p>\n

If you want to share God\u2019s love with others \u201cthere,\u201d are you practicing doing that in word\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0deed here?<\/strong>\u00a0Have you ever led a small group study? Have you apprenticed yourself to someone doing a ministry that you hope to do someday? Give yourself a chance to be taught by the best teacher \u2014 experience.<\/p>\n

Prepare yourself professionally to hold your own on a world stage. Be the best you can be. And then, humbly offer that to God. After all you\u2019ve learned, you will have to become like a little child to learn how to offer those skills appropriately in a new culture.<\/p>\n

Oh, and while you\u2019re working on those competencies,\u00a0do<\/em>\u00a0develop your hobby<\/a>! Music, photography, fishing, climbing, biking, theater, art, writing \u2014 you never know. That hobby may open doors into hearts that would otherwise be closed to you!<\/p>\n

4. Find mentors who have been there and done that.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ask God to connect you with someone who will have the heart to invest in you \u2014 and then ask that person.\u00a0Don\u2019t wait to be discovered. Take the initiative.<\/strong>\u00a0The best\u00a0missionaries<\/a>\u00a0are those who invest in others gladly, so most of these people will say yes if you ask!<\/p>\n

5. \u00a0Listen to your own life.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What has your life journey taught you? What story is God weaving already? Have you learned from failure? At what points has God \u201cshown up\u201d for you?\u00a0Have you allowed God to comfort you<\/a>\u00a0and teach you in adversity and pain?<\/p>\n

It is likely that your vulnerabilities, failures, delays and losses are the very things God is using to prepare you to bring hope to others in a world where suffering is ubiquitous, poverty is grinding and justice seems merely a dream.\u00a0Don\u2019t overlook your own experiences. Through them, God will help you dig a deep well from which to draw His living water.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember Who Sent You<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ultimately, the God who\u00a0called you<\/a>\u00a0is the God who will prepare you.<\/strong>\u00a0At the end of the day, this is His gig \u2014 His responsibility! Learn to view the next step in your life through the lens of His love and grace, and ask Him to keep you on His track.<\/p>\n

He is so faithful to do that!<\/em><\/p>\n