5-minute read

Frequently asked questions about historical mainstream Christian missionary work.

This page assumes you believe the Bible — that it’s God’s written word, the main source of direction, purpose, and truth, telling a single story of His interaction with people. Without that starting point, some of this may not click yet. But if you’re exploring what missions is about, this FAQ is where the booklet begins.

Missions is about reflecting the goodness we’ve received to people who haven’t received it yet.

Jump to a question

I want a basic overview of missions. Where do I start?

What is the Bible basis of missions?

Why should I consider being a career missionary?

A better question than “What is God’s will for my life?” is simply “What is God’s will?” Once you know what God is doing, it’s easier to know where to invest the strength, energy, passion, and gifts He’s given you — in things that matter to Him.

If I became a missionary, how would I meet financial needs?

What is the goal of missionary work?

Do I have to learn another language?

“I don’t think I can learn another language.” The one you have might be enough — there are many roles. But learning another language is probably nothing like your high school or college language class. It’s a necessary part of teaching people, and of the in-depth relationships that make real discipleship possible.

Can the God who created your mouth, and every language on earth, enable you to learn one more? Many Ethnos360 missionaries become fluent in two or three languages by the time they begin teaching a remote people group. The key is good training in how to learn a language — most people can do it with hard work and self-discipline. For the few who find it truly difficult, there are many other ways to serve toward the same goal.

Isn’t missionary work dangerous?

Real dangers exist in unfamiliar places and situations — that part is true. But most of the fear around missions isn’t really about statistics. It’s about control. We want assurance that nothing bad will happen, and missions doesn’t offer that kind of guarantee.

Staying home doesn’t buy you more life — it only decides how you’ll spend the life you have.

In more than 50 years of rubbing shoulders with missionaries, I’ve watched people build extraordinary lives while trusting God with what they couldn’t control — good training, wise precautions, and a peace that isn’t about risk disappearing, but about no longer needing to manage it themselves.

The real question was never “how do I guarantee more years?” It’s “what will I do with the years I’m given?” We shouldn’t live foolishly — but sometimes walking by faith means trusting God with what looks foolish to the world. (Matthew 6:24-34, Matthew 16:24-25, Luke 9:24)

Where can I get good missionary training?

  • Wayumi — a weekend or week-long intensive introduction in Pennsylvania.
  • Ethnos360 Bible Institute — a practical Bible education (also online).
  • Ethnos360 Training — hands-on training for serious career candidates.
  • Interface — six weeks of hands-on missions education in Papua New Guinea.

I can’t commit long-term right now. What else can I do?

What should I ask a missions organization?

I recommend Ethnos360 — that’s where God has led me, reaching the least-reached. Maybe He’ll lead you to join us; contact me and let’s talk. That said, maybe God has opportunities elsewhere that better match His plan, your desires, skills, doctrine, and supporters.

I’m going! Where do I get started?

This FAQ is one booklet in a growing library — browse the rest below.

Open the Library

The only step you can take by faith is the next one.

Sources & further reading