Part 1: The Different Missionary Candidates

I remember how I felt when I first heard God invite me to be a missionary to the unreached. For the first time I’d heard a missionary share that there were entire regions of the world where Jesus wasn’t a household name, and I put two and two together. Jesus says:

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

And there are entire nations without Jesus?

No truth?
No life?
NO WAY!

That’s the moment I realized this was my calling. A calling that became so big and important to me to face a mission that was so big and important to God that I could devote my entire life to this work, and it would be a life well lived.

But, where to start?
And how to prepare?

I remember this time well because all the passion and all the uncertainty were mixed in together in a perfect cocktail of confusion. I remember reaching out to a missionary organization for advice on next steps, although I wouldn’t be ready to apply to a mission agency for 6 more years.

I am occasionally reminded of those times when we receive an inquiry from a potential candidate, but they’re all different and the path that leads them to reach out to us is always unique.

• Some are simply curious about missions.

• Others discovered a heart for missions through one of our mobilization ministries, such as RAP or LATE.

• Often, they’ve had a calling for a while and have received significant training before even approaching us.

• And a few already have lived among the unreached and are looking to continue their ministry with the care and support of an organization like Reflejo.

Because we recognize this diversity, as well as the complexity of the calling some missionaries share with us, we take the process of screening and onboarding candidates very seriously. To learn more about this process, read part 2.