'How did you know you were called to missions?'
This is one of our most frequently asked questions! Given how personal our God is, it’s probably not a surprise that there’s no one answer: Some people just know they’re called. For others, it’s a long journey. Some missionaries even hesitate to use the term “calling." Our five missionary panelists each have their own unique stories, and yours will be unique, too! Click below to reach out to a SEND mission coach, who can help you discover your role in global missions.
I explored, God directed
After growing up as a missionary kid, I had the “American dream” mindset. It was through working at a Christian camp in Spain that God began to redirect my plans. I had the Spanish language from growing up in Mexico, but I did not have the cultural understanding. It was a reminder to me that language and culture go hand-in-hand. The first two years that missionaries spend learning a language in the country that they serve in are crucial for learning the culture.
Upon graduating Texas A&M, I began to look for ways to serve overseas. This journey has led me to work in three countries with three different ministries. I would encourage you to dream big, EXPLORE—God has bigger plans than we can begin to imagine.
I saw the signs
I really think that the combination of multiple signs confirmed it!
My path to Siberia was a process
That same summer some friends of mine, including Jami (now my wife), went to Siberia and interacted with Buryats who had never held a Bible and had no connection to Christ or the church. I realized I wanted to serve in a community where people didn’t already have access to the gospel.
The following year, I did the first of two year-long internships in Buryatia. Following those two years, I married Jami, and we began to pray about what was next. God kept putting on our hearts the unreached peoples of the world, and after much prayer and consulting with spiritual leaders, we decided to go into long-term cross-cultural work. God continued to answer prayers that directed us to return to the Buryat people.
I couldn't just watch people suffer
During college, my husband and I developed friendships with a community of Muslims in Southern California. We learned about their cultures and beliefs and engaged in spiritual conversations. I realized that God had given me a passion for work among Muslims. God showed me ways that Muslims seek God with their whole hearts, but just don’t yet see the whole truth.
God confirmed this direction for my life though a short mission trip. During my last year of school, I visited Southeast Asia as part of my nursing program. I was able to witness how my passion for nursing and Muslim ministry could unite, and now I’m back, serving in the community I got to know on that trip!
I call my journey a 'trajectory'
We can overcomplicate calling, or have expectations of a “road to Damascus moment.” You will continually examine, hone, and pursue your calling throughout life—there will be adjustments! Allow your church and godly leaders and mentors to have a significant voice as you discern your calling for the near term and the distant future. And most importantly, wrestle with the Lord through scripture and honest prayer.
While each of our panelists have their own unique stories, a few themes stand out. Experiencing another culture played a role in several of their lives, as did prayer and wise counsel. As you consider the role God has for you, ask yourself: Whom do I trust to speak into my future? What do I sense when I pray about becoming a missionary? And if I were to take a short-term trip, where would I go?
The path to missions can feel overwhelming! Our experienced mission coaches will walk alongside you every step of the way.
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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!
