How do you find a mission agency that aligns with your abilities, passion, location preference and interests?

It is important to research any agency you might be considering.  While agencies often have specific focuses, their actual ministry footprint can be very large. For example, if an agency focuses on church planting, then they will need pastors, administrators, teachers, medical personnel, IT specialists, mechanics, artists and builders just to name a few! Perhaps an agency focuses on Bible translation. They also need administrators, teachers, medical personnel, IT specialists, mechanics, artists and builders. The same is true of agencies that focus on agriculture, hospital building, youth ministry, anti-human trafficking, education and aviation…the list is endless.

Each mission agency has a purpose in fulfilling the great commission.  Each of the people who align with those agencies has a purpose in fulfilling the great commission. You only need to seek God for His leading in finding the place He has prepared for you. However, knowing that you are aligned with an agencies focus can avoid possible frustration over means and mode of ministry in the future.

You should also consider the area of the world that has always tugged at your heart. It may or may not be the place God is calling you.  While there is a very technical aspect of searching out location, methods, gifts and abilities, it is God who calls and we must seek His direction even if it feels uncomfortable at times.  No job in or out of missions is easy or fun all the time.

General Questions to Ask

Are you wondering about the direction of missions in the U.S. today?  This website is a place to begin your search.  This information may or may not give you direction, but it is meant to broaden the understanding of current trends.

When looking for additional general ideas of where to start, check out the Mission Finder page. Here, you can type in a region of the world that is of interest, then narrow it down to a specific country or countries and finally select the kind of work you are interested and/or have experience.

Agency Sampling

At this website, you will find 26 pages with lists of mission organizations.  Each link gives a synopsis of the focus and purpose of that particular organization.

And of course, check out the list of  MissionNext partners, so you can see who has open positions waiting to be filled! Plus, get a brief synopsis of their mission focus.

Specific Skills

If you’re an architect seeking to use your skills part-time, here is a link of someone who volunteers some of his time to refugees.

Do you want to serve missionaries when they are home on furlough? If you are a mechanic, consider caring for cars that missionaries can use for a nominal fee when they come to the States. They need to travel to visit churches, supporters, friends and families.  And renting from a usual agency can be cost prohibitive.

Are you a teacher? While many agencies support teachers, Education is specifically for connecting them with international Christian schools.

Are languages your gift?  Perhaps Bible Translation is where God wants you! Wycliffe does this around the world!

Perhaps you are an artist or a comedian? This site can help you find a place to serve.  For example, I know someone who creates culturally appropriate illustrations for Bibles that are printed in different languages and for different cultures.

Whatever your gifts, whatever your passion and wherever you feel God is calling you, there is a place to serve.  It might be in an area you where you are experienced or it might be something completely new.  It will be an adventure either way because God is leading it.

A great place to start the adventure is with MissionNext! Fill out a service profile, and get service opportunities just right for you!