You hear someone is a “missionary”—what do you think they do?
If you’ve been raised in the church, you probably think about preachers and teachers, doctors and nurses, and maybe teachers. If you’re familiar with Wycliffe Bible Translators, you think of linguists. And you would be right.
But what are your skills? What’s your job title?
Accountant?
Admissions and enrollment manager?
Administrative assistant?
Advertising writing?
Anthropologist?
Apartment manager?
Architect?
Archivist?
Art teacher?
Artist?
Auto mechanic?
Bookkeeper?
Business analyst?
Cabinetmaker?
Carpenter?
Chef?
Childcare worker?
Community developer?
Construction worker?
Counselor?
Custodian?
Data entry clerk?
Dental hygienist?
Mechanic?
Electrician?
Engineer?
Graphic designer?
Groundskeeper?
Human resources manager?
IT manager?
Kitchen worker?
Office machine technician?
Parent?
Pilot?
Printer?
Photographer?
Plumber?
Principal?
Salesperson?
Security officer?
Software developer?
Tour guide?
Truck driver?
Warehouse worker?
Are your skills, are your job functions, missionary-worthy?
A resounding “Yes.”
Every one of these job functions is listed on the Wycliffe website as a need, right now! And many other mission organizations have similar lists. SEND International needs musicians, athletes, agricultural development workers, business administrators, ESL teachers, camp directors, and youth workers. Africa Inland Mission needs computer techs, businesspeople, community agricultural developers, teachers, nurses, and theology teachers.
Maybe you’re not ready to raise support to head to the mission field full-time. Most organizations also have opportunities to volunteer for a year, a month, or a week.
That’s what we are doing.
Les and I will be headed to Orlando in March for 9 days to serve with Wycliffe Bible Translators in their home office.
I’ll be putting my writing skills to work in their recruitment department.
Les will be using a rainbow of skills—evaluating materials sent to pastors, listening to staff who need counsel or coaching, and even putting his friendly demeanor to work helping with hospitality in the Discovery Center. (By the way, if you’ve never been to the Wycliffe Discovery Center, it’s a not-to-miss stop on your next visit to Orlando.)
Your skills can help God’s mission—the mission to ensure that all people in every tribe, nation, and language group have the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
There are ongoing volunteer activities you can do right from home to help fulfill this mission. Maybe your organizational skills can be put to work setting up collection points and recruiting churches in your community for Operation Christmas Child. Volunteer to host a table for an area missions banquet. Employ your gift of hospitality to provide meals or housing for missionaries home on deputation.
The possibilities are as endless as our collective skills.
I can’t wait to see what God will call you to do!