Is God Calling You to Serve in Missions?

Please read this assessment to gain a fuller understanding of Wycliffe’s expectations.

You know God is calling you to do something. But you’re not quite sure if you’re ready—or even where to start. Many others are in the same place; they’re thinking about missions and want to compare where they are today with where they need to be in order to start serving with Wycliffe.

Wycliffe needs all kinds of people with skills in many different areas—linguistics, administration, construction, finance, information technology, teaching, and more—to continue the work of Bible translation. Without individuals in all of these roles, translation would be impossible!

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We are motivated by the urgent need for all people to have access to God’s Word in the language that speaks to their hearts. Our mission is to see a Bible translation program in progress in every language still needing one by 2025.

Currently the church is experiencing the greatest acceleration of Bible translation in the history of the world. Yet more than three hundred million people—speakers of more than two thousand languages—are still waiting for Scripture in their own language. Seventy-five percent of these languages are located in three main areas: Central Africa and Nigeria, Mainland and Southeast Asia, and Indonesia and the Pacific Islands.

Is God calling you to be part of His strategy to reach these remaining people groups?

So, how do you know if you’re ready? Ask yourself these questions:

Am I ready to accept God’s calling to serve others?

Being actively engaged in a church or with a body of believers for the purpose of fellowship, worship, biblical teaching, and service to others is vital in helping you hear and follow God’s calling.

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Your journey with Christ begins when you recognize your separation from God because of your sin, repent and trust in Jesus for forgiveness, and receive Him into your heart and life through faith. Your journey continues as part of the body of Christ. As you learn and live out God’s Word and participate in your local church, you grow in faith and spiritual maturity while being prepared for works of service.

Scripture to explore: Acts 13:1–3, Romans 1–3, 1 Corinthians 1–2, Ephesians 4–5:21, 1 Timothy 3:15b, Hebrews 10:24–25, 1 Peter 4:10

Wycliffe expects…
…that you believe in Christ as Savior and are actively pursuing your relationship with Him within His body.
…that you believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, completely trustworthy and speaking with supreme authority in all matters of belief and practice.
…that you agree with Wycliffe’s Statement of Faith

Am I flexible in working with others in the body of Christ?

Being able to build and maintain a network of meaningful relationships with people of various doctrinal, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds is important when working closely with others to further God’s work.

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Look for ways to develop flexibility and adaptability in your relationships by loving and serving others. This may involve giving up something you might otherwise feel entitled to and finding contentment in Christ despite the circumstances.

Scripture to explore: Matthew 23:11–12, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Philippians 2:1–4, Philippians 4:11–12

Wycliffe expects…
…that you are growing as a person and as a child of God, using past experiences and mistakes as a springboard for living and working with others more effectively.
…that church leaders who know you well affirm your potential for cross-cultural mission service.
…that you have some experience that allows you to assess your gifts and ministry role options, such as participating in an overseas mission trip, teaching Sunday school, volunteering in your local church, relating to people with different cultural backgrounds, or serving the homeless or disadvantaged.

Can others see Christ at work in my life?

Applying biblical principles to your life, so that your actions and attitudes reflect the teachings of the Bible, is critical to effective ministry.

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When you believe in Jesus and become a child of God, the Holy Spirit comes into your life, giving you the power to obey Christ’s commands to abide in Him, to love others, and to bear fruit. Look for evidence that you are making a priority of knowing Christ and reflecting Him through your words and actions. This way of life requires sacrifices and a commitment to pursuing holiness.

Scripture to explore: John 14–15, Romans 12, Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 4:17–5:21, 1 Peter 3:15–16

Wycliffe expects …
…that you are pursuing spiritual disciplines such as regular prayer, Bible study, and worship.
…that you are maintaining an exemplary standard of ethics and conduct that reflects biblical principles, honors Christ, and builds up His body of believers.
…that if married, you are faithful to your spouse and maintaining a healthy, growing relationship.
…that if single, you are practicing abstinence from sexual activity.
…that you have demonstrated your commitment to sexual purity for at least one year prior to application.
…that if you have been indicted for or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, it has been at least three years since its resolution, and that during this time you have been living a moral, lawful, and ethical lifestyle. (Past convictions can affect eligibility for certain assignments.)

Do I have healthy, growing family relationships?

Missionary life often stretches your relationships with parents, spouse, children, and other family members. Having sound family relationships is a good indicator that you’ll be successful in building other relationships.

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When considering cross-cultural mission service, it is important to evaluate the health and vitality of your relationships with family members and others close to you. God can use these relationships to help you grow in trust, respect, sacrifice, humility, and forgiveness. Look for relational beliefs and behaviors that will help you stand strong during spiritual warfare.

Scripture to explore: Matthew 19, Galatians 5–6, Ephesians 4–6, 1 John 4:20–21

Wycliffe expects…
…that unmarried men and women have thought through the implications of serving as singles.
…that married couples and families are communicating well and agree about the direction that God is leading.
…that those who have been divorced are willing to discuss those circumstances openly with a Wycliffe representative. (Divorce does not necessarily preclude service with Wycliffe.)

Am I ready to trust God to provide for me financially?

Wycliffe missionaries depend on the Lord to provide for their needs through the partnership of individuals and churches that pray and give financially to Wycliffe in support of their ministries.

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Depending on God to provide for your financial needs through the partnership of His people can seem daunting, but it’s an opportunity to see God work in ways that will grow your faith. Wycliffe trains and coaches new missionaries as they build and maintain a team of prayer and financial partners.

Scripture to explore: 1 Corinthians 9:7–18, Philippians 4:10–16, 3 John 5–6

Wycliffe expects…
…that as a Wycliffe missionary you will be willing to live without a guaranteed salary.
…that you are willing to invite your church body and your believing friends and family to join your ministry through prayer, encouragement, and gifts to Wycliffe.

Am I living within my means?

To begin the application process, you’ll need to have a plan for paying off student loans and eliminating unsecured debt.

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Living within your current income requires self-discipline, wisdom, and planning. As a result, you’ll be able to follow God whenever and wherever He leads you. Look for evidence that you are growing in your contentment, whether you have much or little.

Scripture to explore: Matthew 18:23–33, Romans 13, Philippians 4:11–13, 1 Timothy 6:6–8

Wycliffe expects…
…you will have no more than $1,200 in unsecured debt at the time of application, and no unsecured debt before beginning a Wycliffe service assignment.
…you will have student loan balances of no more than $24,000 (if you are single) and $36,000 (if you are married) at the time of application.

Am I living, and committed to continue in living, a lifestyle that is set apart in service to God?

Wycliffe applicants must be free of destructive habitual behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, or any use of tobacco or pornography.

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Am I ready to explore how God can use my specific interests, experiences, and job skills in Bible translation?

If you have questions about how your skills might match needed roles in Wycliffe, please talk with us. Bible translation is the task of the whole Church, and we would love to explore with you how you might take part in this world-changing work!

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Click here to find current openings, including member, paid, volunteer, and internship options.

Scripture to explore: Romans 12:4–8, 1 Corinthians 12:14–20, Ephesians 2:10

Wycliffe expects…
…that people applying for most language-related roles will have an accredited undergraduate degree and will be willing to participate in further academic training in linguistics as required.
…that in general, people applying for non-language-related roles have job skills that match current openings.

We invite you to talk to us about your interest in missions and Wycliffe, even if you answered “not yet” to these questions. Click here to complete a simple contact form to discuss your next steps.