I surrendered my life to missions at age 16 at the Old Port of Marseille in France. Fast forward to 2026, where my husband Dan and I are celebrating 20 years serving together on the mission field. Over the course of two decades, several young women have sought my counsel to discern God’s calling on their lives. The following are some of the suggestions I have offered them.
1. Serve Locally
The call to missions is more than a feeling. It’s a commitment. And it should be confirmed and developed in the context of the local church. If you sense a desire for overseas work, begin by making disciples now, at home, within your own church and community. That is the best training ground for later, long-term cross-cultural ministry. Your home church is like a greenhouse—a safe, nurturing environment where you can grow your early shoots. There, you will discover your spiritual gifts, and others will confirm them. There, you will learn to collaborate with people who think differently from you. And there, you will learn to be last, ask for forgiveness, and sacrifice your time, talents, and treasure in service to Christ and others.
2. Go Solo
Overseas trips with a pack of friends are super fun. I took part in several over the years, and some of my deepest, most lasting friendships came from serving side-by-side with them. The problem, however, is that you will end up spending most of your time with your friends rather than with people in your host culture. My most formative trips were solo ventures in which I lived and served under the mentorship of missionaries or local believers. If you are serious about the next steps in your journey toward the nations, I strongly suggest contacting a missions agency about participating in a cross-cultural internship.
3. Read Up on Your Host Culture
Before going to another country, read up on its culture. Back in my day, we may not have had to walk uphill both ways in the snow (to use a popular declaration of the aged). But doing research would have required making a trip to the library and checking out a stack of books. The age of the internet has rendered such preparation far easier. If Duolingo contains lessons in your target language, download it and start learning some basic greetings and sayings. And don’t stop there. Research the taboos and non-verbal cues. Try to meet a person from that culture who could introduce you to their values and traditions. Most people would jump at the chance to teach someone about their former homeland.
4. Maintain the Posture of a Learner
People often think their one overseas trip will bear massive fruit and change people’s lives. It seldom produces such results. The life that will change the most is your own. The most significant way this will take place is by helping you discern your gifts and calling. You may develop an affinity for a particular culture or people group. Or you may discover a talent or spiritual gift that might meet a need on an existing team. What’s essential is entering into a cross-cultural experience with the posture of a learner and not an expert.
5. Laugh at Yourself
In the summer of 1997, I joined a team bound for Ethiopia. Eager to learn from our host missionary, Tim, our team leader inquired, “What are the most important qualities in a missionary?” I expected him to say, “A devotion to Scripture and prayer. A sanctified life. A gift of teaching. Evangelistic fervour.” To my surprise, he replied, “Flexibility and a sense of humour.” He went on to explain that things are bound to go wrong sometimes when working cross-culturally. You might be tempted to respond in anger or frustration. This, however, will only harm your witness. Instead, we uptight Westerners need to develop the ability to “go with the flow” and laugh things off.
6. Seek Cross-Cultural Opportunities at Home
The nations are at our doorstep. You no longer have to move to the other side of the globe to share the gospel with unreached people. Many have moved in across the street from us! Many of them originate from countries that are closed to traditional missionaries. Immigration offers believers a tremendous opportunity to bring Christ’s love to life for them. This is especially important for those who might have historically associated our faith with colonialism and imperialism. We can change that narrative through genuine love and hospitality. We can apply this principle in several ways. Consider connecting with an international student spending the holidays alone in their dorm room. Or befriend neighbours who need help navigating life in a new city. Or join a community organization that offers services to help new immigrants integrate into the job force. The possibilities are endless.
7. Make Friends With Missionaries Past and Present
Reading missionary biographies is a great way to learn the history of missions and the work of God around the world. And getting to know people currently serving overseas will allow you to ask questions and learn from their lives and ministries. Consider hosting a missionary next time they’re on home assignment. Ask to receive their newsletters. Commit to praying for them and, when possible, to financially supporting them. Find out if any retired missionaries reside near you. They are also a huge source of wisdom, particularly for young people seeking to discern their calling.
8. Listen to Trusted Voices
I never heard an audible voice from heaven calling me to ministry. While I may envy the biblical figures who did, I understand that God normally leads us through internal and external confirmation. A deepening desire for missions should be accompanied by the affirmation of those charged with caring for your soul. Do your parents, pastors, mentors, and leaders support you? Do they see your gifts and skills as a good match for overseas work? Can they help you identify and address areas of personal growth? You don’t have to be perfect. And you don’t have to have everything figured out. You simply need to be growing in your relationship with Christ, in obedience to his Word, and in the exercise of your gifts.
9. Step Out in Faith
Some people think that they need answers to all their questions before they can move forward with a decision. Such an attitude can lead to spiritual paralysis. If you sense a growing conviction that the Lord is calling you to missions, start moving in that direction. He will course-correct you if you’re going the wrong way. To the point, moving an 18-wheeler when it’s stationary is nearly impossible. But once it’s in motion, getting it to take a different route is as simple as turning the steering wheel. Similarly, Christ can redirect a believer on the move far more easily than a passive, stationary one. So, take risks, step out in faith, and trust his leading.
10. Pray for the Nations
As I prepared for overseas ministry, my greatest resource for prayer for the nations was the popular Operation World: When We Pray, God Works by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk. Replete with data, analysis, maps, and charts, it offered intercession points for every nation on the globe. Nowadays, Operation World’s app provides up-to-date information that will fuel your burden for the lost around the globe. And best of all, it’s free.
Conclusion
It’s only fitting that I end with prayer. It remains our most powerful weapon in the battle for souls bound in darkness. If you sense the Spirit tugging at your heart to take a step of faith, do it. All while praying and seeking the Lord’s face in Scripture. Trust the Lord of the harvest to guide you in his will. And prepare yourself for an adventure that promises eternal rewards.
