By Josie Oldenburg — Choosing a mission is an entirely different experience from applying for a typical job. This isn’t a clock-in/clock-out kind of position; it’s a partnership that will affect every aspect of your life. Sure, the mission agency will have questions for you – but there are a LOT of questions that you can (and should) ask, too!
“It’s good to ask the questions — it can give a sense of how the home office responds/thinks/works,” says former missionary Lois Thorpe. “When you ask, do you feel heard? Valued? Respected?”
As you gather answers, you might find you don’t care for some of the responses. It’s hard to find an agency that’s a perfect match in each and every way! Consider which areas you might be able to flex in, and which are absolute deal breakers. Maybe an agency that you otherwise love doesn’t permit missionaries to buy a house on the field — how valuable is home ownership in a foreign country to you?
Questions about requirements
What education do I need?
What kind of ministry experience do I need?
What kind of pre-field preparation will I need? Do you provide this training? How long will it take?
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