When God Tells You to Wait on Missions

Jessica Hulbert • Mar 03, 2016

I recently spoke with a woman who, after returning from a yearlong mission trip, was ready to turn around and head right back to the mission field. She was transitioning between college and career, her job in the States wasn’t what she wanted to do forever and, most of all, she genuinely felt called to be a missionary. So, what’s the holdup? Time to pack the bags and go!

Well, not quite yet.

Pausing Can Be Part of the Plan

First, we had to ask some pretty key questions:

And when these are resolved, there is the language barrier. Many missionaries spend the first two years on the field not in ministry but in intensive language and cultural study.

In short, the list of things to consider before serving overseas is not so short after all.

It took a few months, but over time, my friend found that this unwished-for season of waiting was actually purposeful in pursuing her long-term goals. This wasn’t an end to the dream but in fact a key part in making that dream a reality. Sometimes nurturing your call to missions and following your call to missions is all part of the same plan.

How to Wait Well

So, what has you waiting to go to the field? A few more years left in school? A baby on the way? Your house taking longer to sell than expected?

Or maybe you’re like my friend, and you’re realizing that you just need more practical development before you can buy that plane ticket out of the country. Whatever it is, know that this time matters. This time can actually be one of the most rewarding times in your ministry overseas if you truly use it to cultivate the call God has put inside you.

Here are some effective ways you can be nurturing your call to missions even when it isn’t happening right this second:

1. Keep talking about your heart for missions.

Continue talking with your missions pastor , missions coach or other missionaries you know. Nothing fuels a fire for missions more than sharing it with other missions-minded people. Continue developing your heart for the nations by learning from others who can mentor you in the process. Maybe they have stories to share or insight to give or helpful studies you can be working on while you wait. Try setting up a weekly or bi-weekly meeting with them to continue that mentorship.

2. Pray for missions and ask for prayer.

This may be a given, but sometimes it’s easy to feel called and leave it at that. Continue to seek God’s purpose for your life in regard to missions . Be intentional. Pray for all parts of the world , not just where you would like to serve. Ask God to bring new connections in your life with people who share a passion for missions. Study what Scripture says about ministry and missions, and pray it over yourself.

Ask for prayer as well. Have people close to you — like your small group, best friends or family — pray over you and your desire to go. Send them monthly or weekly prayer requests so they can know your specific needs.

3. Be an active learner.

There is no limit to the amount of missions resources at our disposal. While you can check out books , follow blogs or listen to podcasts , it also might be worth looking into classes and conferences near you. Perspectives is a semester-long course devoted to missions training. There are also conferences such as the Global Missions Health Conference (GMHC) , Urbana and other globally-focused conferences hosted by universities and churches. See what may be available to you in the next year.

Many missions conferences have moved online and lowered admissions prices due to COVID-19, creating even greater accessibility!

4. Write your story, and share it.

A great way to nurture your call and remind yourself of this calling is to share your story. Maybe start a blog that details all you are learning through waiting or gives friends information on how they can be involved. Maybe your church will let you speak to the congregation or small groups.

If you don’t have an audience, journal it and just keep track of all God is doing in this season of waiting. No doubt you’ll be thankful you have a record of His faithfulness .

5. Embrace and trust the process.

The list doesn’t end there. Listen to worship songs that give you a mindset for the global church. Make meals from different countries to bring different cultures into your life. Start a Pinterest board of all things missions.

Whatever you choose to do, know that the choice itself is a part of the process. You’re a missionary now, whether overseas or not, because of how your heart is committed to the call. This waiting time has purpose. So remain faithful and trust that “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Hospitality, Help, and the Hope of the Gospel

By Suzanne Pearson • 16 Apr, 2024
TEAM Canada provides warm welcome and trusted friendships for diaspora populations living far from their native countries. As TEAM Canada workers Peter and Ruth (names changed) drive from their home to a nearby community center, they pass numerous apartment buildings and townhouses. Most of the families who live there are immigrants. They’ve left their countries of origin due to political unrest, trauma, and other difficulties. They’ve left family, friends, homes, jobs, and personal wealth behind. They search for peace, justice for the oppressed, and rest from fear and weariness. And as they adjust to a new country and a new language, they are often very isolated from others around them. “The sad reality is most immigrants are never even invited inside a Canadian home,” says Ruth. Peter and Ruth and their team try to change that reality. For the last nine years, the team, which includes workers from partner organizations as well as volunteers, has held English classes at the community center. Three days a week, over 60 students from more than 20 countries come together to learn English as well as to fellowship together and receive practical help in assimilating to a new normal. Meeting Needs and Building Trust That practical help may come in the form of procuring furniture, clothes, or dishes for newcomers, assistance with creating a resume and finding a job, or teaching people how to navigate Canadian laws and the medical system. As these tangible needs are met, relationships are built. “We invite them into our homes for meals and games,” Ruth shares. “We take them on hiking trips, picnics, outings, and out for coffee.” This is particularly important in this type of ministry because most immigrants come to Canada from cultures that value hospitality. Conversely, Canadians do not typically prioritize hospitality and consequently many newcomers feel lonely and isolated. Inviting folks to various gatherings and outings allows the team to spend extended time hearing people’s stories, struggles, hopes, and dreams. When she speaks about building friendships, Ruth’s heart for the people she serves is evident. “Hearing their stories, it’s easy to love them, and many have become close friends,” Ruth says. “We recognize the value of steady one-on-one relationships.”

Meet TEAM’s Next International Director – Part 2: A Vision for the Future

By Suzanne Pearson • 19 Mar, 2024
Previously on the TEAM blog, we sat down with Justin Burkholder (pictured above at left, with TEAM's Executive Director of Communications, Aaron Catlin). Justin will become TEAM’s next International Director on July 1, 2024. Justin shared about his background, family, and the journey that led him to TEAM. Check out that interview here . Today, we pick up the conversation as Justin shares how God called him to the role of International Director, and what he sees for the next chapter in TEAM’s work in the global Church. Q: How and when did you first consider applying for the position of International Director? How did the Lord reveal Himself to you as this opportunity presented itself? A: For some time, I have been evaluating how God wants me to use the gifts He has given me. Jenny and I have had a fruitful ministry in church planting in Guatemala and would happily continue doing so as God leads. However, as God blessed my efforts in TEAM leadership, there were friends and family who expressed that I should consider using my gifts in the International Director role. I don’t believe that everything necessarily rises and falls on leadership, but I do believe that it is a core component in the body of Christ. Using the gifts God has given me is a way that I want to bless the body of Christ in TEAM, making my contribution to the global purposes of God’s mission. Jenny and I spent a lot of time praying about this and decided that I should put my name in for consideration, trusting God’s guidance. We had a tremendous amount of peace throughout the entire process and were blessed by the prayer-filled process that the board undertook. Q: This is a key role in a large and complex organization, and I’m sure this was a big decision for you and your family. What were your fears or concerns? Why did you ultimately decide to accept the position? A: You say “were” like the fears have passed! I still am quite aware of my youth and inexperience - of the responsibility and weight of this role. Mostly, I’m afraid of leading an organization like TEAM in the flesh. Many of the fears that I have faced have been fears rooted in fleshly desires and concerns. I have no desire to succeed in the world’s eyes and fail in the Kingdom of Jesus. Why did I ultimately decide to accept the position? I’m convinced that the Good News about Jesus is true. The tomb is empty, Jesus is King, and the world needs to know, because Jesus is coming back. He will put things in order. He will establish righteousness, peace, and justice for all mankind, and He has commissioned His Church to proclaim and demonstrate His rule and reign. I want to use my gifts to do whatever I can to amplify the proclamation of this message and the multiplication of His Church around the world. Q: What are your goals and vision for the future of TEAM? A: This is something that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. I’m certainly not ready to present a fully-shaped vision and goals for TEAM’s future without the input of other people in different contexts in TEAM. But, I will share a few things that I think are important: First, we need to model God-Dependence . I am hopeful that as leaders in TEAM, we can continue to model God-Dependence. As Hudson Taylor said years ago “…God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” I am hopeful that we can increase our sense of faith in God, prayer, and seeking direction from the Spirit. Secondly, we must strengthen our relational fabric . Due to the changes that we have experienced by decentralizing our home office functions, and the challenges from the pandemic, we have experienced a loss of relationships. It is imperative that we intentionally prioritize the building of relationships with one another. I plan to visit our workers and staff, and I am expectant that other key leaders and staff will be doing the same. Third, we must pursue the greater presence of the global Church. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ doesn’t look like any single geopolitical, ethnic, or racial culture. If we want to truly see the Kingdom of Jesus come on earth as it is in heaven, then we as citizens of this Kingdom must learn from one another, submit to one another, and grow with one another. The missional potential of the global Church has been unleashed by God’s Spirit since Acts 1, and we have an opportunity to learn from many brothers and sisters in Christ who can help us to better model and proclaim the Kingdom of Jesus to those who have yet to believe. Lastly, we must increase our Gospel boldness . There are still many places of great spiritual blindness and spiritual brokenness around the world. The apostolic impulse of cross-cultural organizations should call us to the to the edges of where the Kingdom of Jesus is not penetrating. Whether spiritual blindness and brokenness exists because of lack of access, idolatry, injustice, or any other myriad of reasons, I prayerfully hope to see more and more TEAM workers continue to move into spaces of great Gospel need.
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