Explore News: ‘What misconceptions did you have about what missionary life is like (that have since been debunked)?’

April 2022

Have you ever imagined what life as a missionary might look like? In this month’s  Explore News , our panelists share the misconceptions they had about missionary life before going to the field. How might their advice change your perceptions? 

Make Sure to Match Who You Are with Where You Go "I grew up on the field, so I had a pretty clear image of missionary life. I guess I am grateful to see that missions is varied these days. Traditional church planting and humanitarianism still are vital but one can go overseas with any skill and serve him. As long as we don’t forget to glorify him, love others and tell them he has a plan for them, all of the experiences and skills he dishes out are viable. It comes down to finding a good match between what he creates us as, and a place where that is needed."

Have Patience with Team Building and Language Learning "Despite feeling very blessed by the relationships on my team, I think I came in expecting that our team would more quickly feel close. The reality is that we did connect with many teammates, and some fairly quickly, but not with everyone. These relationships can be a big blessing, but they don't always happen the way we imagine. The other thing is how long language learning takes, and how it never really ends. It is possible that Russian is just more difficult than other languages, but as I have talked with people this is a common feeling."

What we imagine missionary life to be like can be distorted. Even missionaries can have this problem! But we are here to help you prepare! Get in touch with us below.
Photo by: Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

Be Prepared for Change  "After my short amount of time on the field, I have come to experience that no matter how you strategize, we are working with people, and people are complex. I have had training in multiple mission strategies. Even when we plan and strategize, there will always be adjustments. The strategy will always look different in real life than it does in theory. Because people are just complex, and the Holy Spirit sometimes changes plans too!"

Know What You Are Getting Into... Do Your Research!  "I think we had many misconceptions about what missionary life is like. Do your research about the country you are considering, and what the mission team there is like. Also, thoroughly research the local church you will be partnering with. Ask missionaries there about their everyday life. Does it sound like something you want to do? Really, the more information you have, the better. Don't take a shortcut on research!"

Maybe their experiences have prompted you to take your next step on your missions journey. We’d love to talk to you about it!

• Find out how  you can become a SEND missionary .
• Explore  where and how you can serve with SEND
• Subscribe to  Explore News , to hear real-life stories from our missionary panelists every month.  

Additional Posts

By SEND media Team August 4, 2026
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?
By SEND Media May 11, 2026
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
By SEND Media May 11, 2026
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
Show More