Raising Up Missionary Leaders Within Your Congregation

Introduction

The call to missions is not limited to a select few, but is a divine invitation extended to every follower of Christ. While some are called to cross cultures and serve long-term on the mission field, every believer is called to participate in the Great Commission, whether through praying, giving, sending, or going (Matthew 28:19-20). This article explores practical steps your local church can take to raise up individuals who are not only passionate about missions but also equipped to lead others in this glorious endeavor.

Cultivating a Missional Culture

The best way to grow missionary leaders is to have a church where people care deeply about missions and are excited to share the Gospel. This begins in the pulpit, with regular teaching on God's heart for the nations, the biblical basis for missions, and the urgency of the Great Commission. When missions are central to the church's identity and preaching, it naturally shapes the congregation's worldview and priorities.

Beyond the pulpit, a missional culture is fostered through consistent prayer for the unreached, testimonies from missionaries, and intentional integration of global perspectives into all aspects of church life, from children's ministry to small groups. When members see and hear about missions regularly, it plants seeds in their hearts, prompting them to consider their own role in God's global plan. "As a watered garden, and as a spring of water, whose waters fail not" (Isaiah 58:11b), so a church nurtured in mission will bear fruit.

Identifying Potential Leaders

Church leadership, including pastors, elders, and missions committee members, should be intentional in observing and identifying these emerging leaders. Look for individuals who demonstrate a heart for the lost, a willingness to learn, adaptability, resilience, and a desire to serve beyond their comfort zones.

Pay attention to those who regularly pray for specific nations or unreached people groups, those who express a desire to go on short-term mission trips, or those who consistently advocate for missions within the church. "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).

Intentional Discipleship and Mentorship

This goes beyond general spiritual formation and focuses specifically on equipping them for cross-cultural ministry. This might involve specialized Bible studies on missiology, courses on cultural anthropology, or practical training in evangelism and apologetics tailored for diverse contexts.

Mentors can share personal experiences, offer advice on navigating cultural challenges, and help process the emotional and spiritual demands of missionary life. This relational investment is critical for preparing individuals for the unique challenges of mission service.

Providing Practical Training and Exposure

Theoretical knowledge must be complemented by practical training and real-world exposure. Encourage and facilitate participation in short-term mission trips, allowing potential leaders to experience different cultures, witness ministry in action, and test their gifts in a cross-cultural setting.

Furthermore, consider organizing workshops on fundraising, team building, spiritual warfare, and personal well-being for those considering long-term service. Collaborate with established mission agencies to apply their expertise in pre-field training and candidate assessment. Equipping individuals with practical skills alongside spiritual formation significantly increases their readiness and effectiveness on the field. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38).

Strategic Sending and Ongoing Support

This involves helping them connect with appropriate mission agencies, providing financial and prayer support, and maintaining regular communication. A missionary should feel deeply connected to their home church, knowing they are part of a community that loves them, prays for them, and is committed to their well-being and ministry success.

Establish a clear process for commissioning missionaries, celebrating their sending, and providing ongoing pastoral care, debriefing opportunities, and re-entry support when they return. A church that effectively raises up missionary leaders views them not as departures, but as extensions of its own mission arm, faithfully partnering with them to advance God's Kingdom globally.

Empowering a New Generation

Finally, raising missionary leaders is a generational work. Invest in children, youth, and young adults by teaching them about God’s heart for the nations early on. Host mission-focused camps, sponsor mission-focused curricula, and create mentorship pipelines for young leaders.

By planting seeds early, your church can become a consistent sending base, raising up a new generation of missionaries who will go further and deeper than those before them. The mission field may be vast, but the harvest is plentiful when the workers are well-equipped and passionately sent. “One generation shall commend your works to another…” (Psalm 145:4)

At All Peoples Church, we raise missionary leaders by combining relational discipleship, strong community, practical serving, formal training, mission-focused experiences, and intentional mentoring. This holistic approach equips believers to lead and serve both locally and globally. Discipleship is the foundation at APC. New believers are guided through a Foundations course and it is relational and life-centered which happens in friendships, small groups (called Life Groups), service opportunities, and missions. By inculcating teaching of books that encourage missionary work (Acts) through the pulpit and praying for different countries during Sunday services the congregation is encouraged to be a part of the missional culture.

Conclusion: Every Church Can Raise Missionaries

Raising missionary leaders is not the task of mission agencies alone but it is the joyful privilege of every local church. When congregations commit to nurturing, equipping, and sending their own members into God’s global harvest, they are participating directly in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Your church,regardless of size, location, or resources can become a launching pad for missionary leaders who will make Christ known where He is not yet worshipped. All it takes is a heart surrendered to God’s mission and a willingness to invest in the people He is calling.