
The Path to Being a Missionary
A Guide for the Aspiring
Crossway Books (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 7. July 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
979-8-8749-0573-6 (ISBN)
Description
Assessing Missionary Readiness Through Character, Conviction, and Competency
Should I become a missionary? Many who ask this question have a genuine love for Christ and a desire to live out the Great Commission. Yet even good intentions can sometimes cloud the judgment of our abilities, and personal ambition can make it difficult to keep our eyes fixed on what is necessary for the glory of Christ and the building of his kingdom. The decision to pursue missions should not be shaped by impulse or idealism but by discernment, prayer, godly counsel, and immersion in the local church.
In The Path to Being a Missionary, Ryan Robertson and Matt Bennett lay out practical advice and questions for readers as they consider if missionary work is the right fit for them. Through each concise chapter, readers will consider preparation for a life of service while honestly evaluating their character, convictions, and competencies. Rather than asking, Am I called? Robertson and Bennett urge men and women to ask the more important question: Am I qualified?
Valuable Church Resource: Serves as a helpful guide for churches in the sending process, offering insights from experienced missions leaders
Offers an Honest Perspective: Urges men and women to set aside personal intentions to determine if they are truly qualified for a life in missions
Practical and Action Oriented: Features concise chapters that spur reflection, prayer, and tangible next steps
Should I become a missionary? Many who ask this question have a genuine love for Christ and a desire to live out the Great Commission. Yet even good intentions can sometimes cloud the judgment of our abilities, and personal ambition can make it difficult to keep our eyes fixed on what is necessary for the glory of Christ and the building of his kingdom. The decision to pursue missions should not be shaped by impulse or idealism but by discernment, prayer, godly counsel, and immersion in the local church.
In The Path to Being a Missionary, Ryan Robertson and Matt Bennett lay out practical advice and questions for readers as they consider if missionary work is the right fit for them. Through each concise chapter, readers will consider preparation for a life of service while honestly evaluating their character, convictions, and competencies. Rather than asking, Am I called? Robertson and Bennett urge men and women to ask the more important question: Am I qualified?
Valuable Church Resource: Serves as a helpful guide for churches in the sending process, offering insights from experienced missions leaders
Offers an Honest Perspective: Urges men and women to set aside personal intentions to determine if they are truly qualified for a life in missions
Practical and Action Oriented: Features concise chapters that spur reflection, prayer, and tangible next steps
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Wheaton, IL
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 133 mm
Weight
283 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-8749-0573-6 (9798874905736)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Ryan Robertson is the president of Reaching and Teaching International Ministries, a missions agency serving in more than fifty countries around the world. He is the cohost of Missions Talk, a 9Marks podcast.
Matt Bennett (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is an associate professor of missions and theology at Cedarville University and the director of long-term ministries at Reaching and Teaching Ministries.
Matt Bennett (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is an associate professor of missions and theology at Cedarville University and the director of long-term ministries at Reaching and Teaching Ministries.
Content
Foreword by J. Mack and Leeann Stiles
Introduction: So You Desire to Be a Missionary?
Part 1: Consider Your Character
Chapter 1: Love the Glory of God
Chapter 2: Cultivate Gospel Awe
Chapter 3: Put Sin to Death
Chapter 4: Pursue Disciplined Holiness
Chapter 5: Be Teachable
Chapter 6: Serve Your Local Church
Chapter 7: Be Qualified
Chapter 8: Keep a Pulse on Your Motivations
Chapter 9: Pursue Mentorship
Chapter 10: Say: Follow Me as I Follow Christ
Chapter 11: Learn Contentedness in Waiting
Chapter 12: Work as unto the Lord but Not As the Lord
Part 2: Consider Your Convictions
Chapter 13: Consider Seminary
Chapter 14: Do Theology with the Great Cloud of Witnesses
Chapter 15: Know the Triune God
Chapter 16: Know What the Church Is and Does
Chapter 17: Know the Mission of the Church
Chapter 18: Keep Scripture Central
Chapter 19: Celebrate God's Sovereignty
Chapter 20: Rightly Esteem Culture
Chapter 21: Understand & Apply Theological Triage
Part 3: Consider Your Competencies
Chapter 22: Distinguish What the Gospel Is and Does
Chapter 23: Estimate Your Capacity for Language Learning
Chapter 24: Measure Your Cultural Agility
Chapter 25: Disciple Others
Chapter 26: Do an Internship
Chapter 27: Consider a Training Program
Chapter 28: Choose a Lane
Chapter 29: Choose an Agency
Chapter 30: Choose a Job, Location, and Team
Conclusion: A Long Walk in a Faithful Direction
General Index
Scripture Index
Introduction: So You Desire to Be a Missionary?
Part 1: Consider Your Character
Chapter 1: Love the Glory of God
Chapter 2: Cultivate Gospel Awe
Chapter 3: Put Sin to Death
Chapter 4: Pursue Disciplined Holiness
Chapter 5: Be Teachable
Chapter 6: Serve Your Local Church
Chapter 7: Be Qualified
Chapter 8: Keep a Pulse on Your Motivations
Chapter 9: Pursue Mentorship
Chapter 10: Say: Follow Me as I Follow Christ
Chapter 11: Learn Contentedness in Waiting
Chapter 12: Work as unto the Lord but Not As the Lord
Part 2: Consider Your Convictions
Chapter 13: Consider Seminary
Chapter 14: Do Theology with the Great Cloud of Witnesses
Chapter 15: Know the Triune God
Chapter 16: Know What the Church Is and Does
Chapter 17: Know the Mission of the Church
Chapter 18: Keep Scripture Central
Chapter 19: Celebrate God's Sovereignty
Chapter 20: Rightly Esteem Culture
Chapter 21: Understand & Apply Theological Triage
Part 3: Consider Your Competencies
Chapter 22: Distinguish What the Gospel Is and Does
Chapter 23: Estimate Your Capacity for Language Learning
Chapter 24: Measure Your Cultural Agility
Chapter 25: Disciple Others
Chapter 26: Do an Internship
Chapter 27: Consider a Training Program
Chapter 28: Choose a Lane
Chapter 29: Choose an Agency
Chapter 30: Choose a Job, Location, and Team
Conclusion: A Long Walk in a Faithful Direction
General Index
Scripture Index