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IT'S A PROCESS

FINDING YOUR CALLINGFUNDING YOUR CALLING

"I have identified several ministry opportunities that fit my interests and criteria, and at this point I need to know if this is really what God is calling me to do."

How can you know God's call?

God's desire for us leaps from the pages of Scripture when he invites all people to come and worship him and to be involved in his great plan of redemption in this world. He calls us to absolute faith in Him. For without faith it is impossible, not improbable, to please God. He also expects of us servant-like obedience to Him. He works in us and through us to accomplish His purposes. Obeying seems straighforward enough but understanding how best to obey can be a challenge.

The question we ask, "Can He use me in His passion to reach all nations?"  The Bible gives many examples of people called out for special service to the Lord. Abraham, Moses, David, the prophets, the apostles, and Paul clearly belong on such a list. Sometimes the "call" was dramatic.

For others, like Isaiah and Barnabas, the call began in a general way and then took specific form. In these two cases, worship was at the center of specific assignments.

For most of us, the assignments begin with the recognition of a need. Often it grows out of faithful service in what seems to be a small and unimportant ministry situation.

No matter how the Lord brings a person to missionary service, some factors are almost always constant.  First, a call is always eventually confirmed by others. 

Some objective factors to help you evaluate yourself for any ministry work, especially important for missionary work:
  • Am I aware of the human beyond my immediate world?
  • What are my aptitudes that will transfer to ministry service?
  • How consistent is my walk with God?
  • What is my track record in actual ministry?
  • Do I have the interpersonal skills necessary?
  • Do I have adequate training to fulfill my ministry potential?
  • How is my physical health and energy level?
Secondly, there are also subjective factors to consider. Ask these questions:
  • Have I given this matter concentrated prayer?
  • Do I have a sense of assurance from the Holy Spirit?
  • Do I have a sense of God is prompting to me?
  • Do I have Biblical support?
  • Have I seen circumstantial evidence of God's leading?
It is impossible to set a formula to weigh the importance of each of these factors. For each person, the mix may be different, but many of these criteria will be present.  Do not be overwhelmed, there are many right answers.

Road less traveled God is most interested in righteousness than results; our character over our comfort or circumstances.

The sense of a call to action, shared with others, reviewed before the Lord and prayed about under the leading of the Holy Spirit, will become a conviction. Service is now a must.  Conviction will bring commitment.  Now there is no retreat.  The committed heart will lead to specific action for preparation to go.

Consider missionary service somewhere in the missions infrastructure in view of
  • the imbalance in the Christian work force between North America and the rest of the world.
  • After 2000 years it is still true that the harvest is plentiful and the laborers few.
  • The final word of Jesus, "Therefore go ... and make disciples of all nations."


Also see the sections on
Click here for book suggestions on Finding Your Calling.
Click here for an entire section on Funding Your Calling.

Adapted from J. Herbert Kane, LIFE AND WORK ON THE MISSION FIELD, c1980