5 myths of the missionary call
By Tim Hartman, former missions mobilizer for SEND International
That “mysterious missionary call” that J. Herbert Kane talks about has been the center of debate for generations. It is arguably the most misunderstood term when talking about the Great Commission. In my time mobilizing people into mission, I have discovered five common myths concerning the missionary call.
Myth 1: The call happens at a definitive, memorable moment in time.
Some people can name the time and place they knew God was calling them to be a missionary. For people like me, it was a variety of circumstances. It was exposure to cross-cultural ministry via short-term opportunities. It was people in my life who were passionate about God’s heart for the nations and exuded that passion. Was it a decisive moment for me? No. Was it clear to me over the course of time that God was leading me into mission? Without a doubt, yes!
Myth 2: The call is only for those who are specially gifted.
Some feel being a missionary is only for those who are super-spiritual and are endowed with something special. Anybody involved in missions will be the first to admit they feel the least capable to be bringing the light of the gospel to the ends of the earth. But, isn’t that the attitude we all should have? 2 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (ESV)
Myth 3: I can only take steps into missions once I am called.
The best test of whether or not God is calling you is when you start taking those first steps . The call can sometimes be more of a series of confirmations as opposed to a specific event. Let me give an example. Blaine is a young man who has always had a heart for Japan. He didn’t know where it came from—he claims it’s always been there. Recently, he knew it was time to step out and explore what serving in Japan would look like. It was a struggle at first. Was God really calling him to this? After all, he never had a specific call. But, Blaine pushed forward in taking those initial steps. Blaine is now heading to Japan for three months and being mentored by career missionaries with an eye toward long-term service.
Myth 4: A missionary call is completely irrelevant to becoming a missionary.
Throughout Scripture, God moves people to accomplish His purposes in the world. The church only moves forward when God is working and calls people to do great things for Him. In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit specifically sets apart Saul and Barnabas “for the work to which I have called them.” Notice how God didn’t call the entire church in Antioch to go. Scripture said there were several teachers and prophets gathered at that church, but only two were specifically called to go. The church instead sent and supported the two who were called. The call of God confirms the moving of God, and if God is moving, He will be with those whom He calls, to the very end of the age.
Myth 5: The Great Commission only applies to those whom God has called.
The Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 applies to all believers. Yes, we are not all called to go, but we are all called to be involved in making disciples of all nations. Locally, that means crossing the street, crossing the office, or crossing the coffee shop to share the love of Jesus with others.
Globally, that means praying
and supporting
those who go. Not going does not mean not doing. God’s mission is bigger than going overseas. Each one of us has a sphere of influence that God has placed around us; in some cases, we are the only light. Each one of us has people we know who are being sent that need our prayers and finances to reach the unreached in foreign lands.
Are we being faithful to what God is asking us to do in missions? As John Piper puts it, “There are three kinds of Christians when it comes to world missions: zealous goers, zealous senders, and the disobedient.” Which one are you?
I really feel these myths and misconceptions on calling have been created by the Enemy to keep all believers from being truly mobilized into God’s mission. Imagine the work that could be done if all Christians took the mantle of Great Commission work upon themselves and not only discovered their role but zealously fulfilled it, all for the sake of God’s glory!
What keeps you back from learning your calling in missions? Pray about it. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to understanding. Read Scripture and see how many imperfect people in the Bible were called by God to do extraordinary things. Ask questions of those involved in missions.
Hear about the lives of current
or former missionaries. Most of them wrestled with the same questions you may have!
Our missionary calling is not something God wants to keep secret. He desires to use each of us to reach the lost with the gospel and bring the saving message of Christ to the ends of the earth.
Already feel called to missions? Connect with a SEND missions coach who can help you and your church discern God's leading into missions.
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?
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