WHAT IS The Gift of MISSIONARY?
The gift of missionary is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to minister whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a second culture.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR this Gift
Tap each verse to read it. Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures are in the English Standard Version.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
SUGGESTED POTENTIAL STRENGTHS & CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS GIFT
- Willing and able to work effectively with colleagues of different racial, cultural, religious and sociopolitical backgrounds.
- Sense of calling may be to a specific community, culture or people group (Galatians 2:8).
- Desires to minister to unreached people in other communities or countries.
- Has an intense spirit of unease at the thought of all the unsaved people in the world.
- Has a burden for the Church universally (2 Corinthians 11:28).
- Willing to devote their life to planting and establishing the church (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
- Is flexible and easily adapts to new or unexpected situations.
- Can establish meaningful relationships with people of other nationalities or cultures.
- Demonstrates perseverance in the face of difficult circumstances.
- Passionate about evangelism and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
SUGGESTED POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES & WARNINGS OF THIS GIFT
- Can feel like they are earning “extra credit” through sacrificial living and missions work.
- Critical of others not involved in missions efforts.
- May tend towards feelings of superiority; a belief that they are more committed than those who do not share their gifting.
- Can be programs rather than people oriented.
- May sacrifice family or personal relationships for “the call.”
- May have to spend a great deal of time away from home, family, friends and certain personal comforts.
- Can experience risky or dangerous situations.
- May have to spend a great deal of time traveling.
SUGGESTED WAYS TO SERVE BASED ON THIS GIFT
- Missionary Work
- Missionary Training
- Refugee Aid
- Pastor
- Church Planting
- Community Ministry
- Discipleship
- Vision
- Preaching
- Bible Translation
- Relief Agencies
GOOD BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
PAUL & BARNABAS
*The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016).
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.