Step 1: Honest evaluation. Where are you? Where does God want to take you?
If you asked 10 missionaries to name what they need to thrive in their lives and ministries, likely no two lists would be exactly the same. But hopefully everyone would include intimacy with Jesus, or something in that vein.
But how to maintain that intimacy? Especially if, as a missionary, you’re out of your element, in a different culture, operating in a second language, and building new Christian community?
Alas, there’s no quick fix here. The spiritual life is a marathon; sprints won’t do you well. Long-distance runners know that it’s best to start drinking BEFORE you get parched. So part of SEND’s prefield training includes introducing future missionaries to some techniques for staying hydrated, even during the most challenging parts of the marathon.
There are probably 100 topics that we could have picked! But we limit the techniques to seven areas, all presented by folks with real-life experience on the mission field or deep, long-term involvement with missionaries.
On SEND’s blog, we share highlights from those presentations i
n a series called Flourish. Not all of you who read this blog serve as missionaries — but Jesus’ call to abide with him isn’t just for missionaries, either! We hope that any follower of Jesus will find some helpful advice here.
Some of these ideas will hit you and you will love them. Others might not be quite as impactful. And that’s OK — indeed, it’s simply a reflection of the diversity of the Body. As you read, we suggest you ask yourself: What is God teaching me through this post? What is he prompting me to work on? How is he leading me to dig deeper, to live life with more connection to him?
The goal is intimacy with God — and intimacy does not happen automatically or quickly. It takes time; it takes connection; it takes intent.
Step 1
We start these spiritual life sessions by setting aside time for self-assessment. Honestly rate your intimacy with God — but avoid potentially guilt-inducing labels like “bad.” Reflect on where you’re at and where God is leading you. What is God prompting you to work on? How is he leading you to dig deeper, to be more impactful, to live life in connection with him? Be honest – you’re not turning this in! This is between you and God.
You can find a link to a version of the excellent spiritual life inventory
that SEND uses on the blog Tending Scattered Wool. It was developed by Scott Shaum, a former church planter in Hong Kong and pastor in Detroit who currently serves on the Executive Leadership Team of Barnabas International.
A prayer for spiritual self-assessment
Father, help me to sense your heart. Thank you for loving me and for caring about not only where I’m at, but where you’d like me to be. As I reflect on my relationship with you, grant me openness, candor, accurate self-reflection, and understanding as I process what you’re saying to me.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
