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What Are Mission Sending Organizations?

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Believers preparing for a career in missions have boxes to check. They need a calling from God and a passion for the world. They need a supportive network of friends and family, not to mention a financial plan for making ends meet on the field.

But if you're a missionary in the making, there's another important thing you need to consider: what to do about missionary agencies.

It's something that some future missionaries might not think about, or they might put it off until it's absolutely necessary. But if you're weighing a call to missions and wondering how to become a missionary, deciding whether missionary agencies are right for you (and how to pick one) represents a huge piece of the puzzle.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Missionary agencies serve as a lifeline for missionaries by providing spiritual, logistical, financial, and relational support both before and during overseas service.

  • Mission sending organizations assess readiness through training, evaluation, and formation to ensure missionaries are prepared for the challenges of cross-cultural ministry.

  • Once approved, missionary agencies assist with job placement, travel logistics, insurance, fundraising guidance, and financial management.

  • Choosing the right mission sending organization requires careful evaluation of theological alignment, ministry philosophy, member care, training quality, and organizational reputation.

  • In addition to researching missionary agencies, speaking directly with experienced missionaries offers practical insight and wisdom that can shape a wise and informed decision.

 

What Do Missionary Agencies Do?

In general, missionary agencies are your lifeline as a missionary serving in another country. These mission sending organizations serve as a touchpoint for life back home, along with providing the support you need on the ground. They provide connection instead of isolation and offer the kind of support that no one else can.

One of the primary jobs of missionary agencies is to determine if you're ready to take the field. Through cultural and language training, spiritual formation exercises, and personal evaluations, these mission sending organizations can open the door to the greatest experience of your life. But they also can save you from making a drastic mistake if you're not prepared for an overseas assignment.

Assuming you are ready to go, missionary agencies can help you search for missionary jobs to identify and connect you with opportunities. In addition, these mission sending organizations can offer important logistical support, like travel arrangements, insurance, and visas. Many agencies also manage your finances. They can teach you how to raise support and steward the money that comes into your account.

Perhaps more than anything, missionary agencies offer accountability. Whether it's ministry, relationships, finances, or spiritual health, the best mission sending organizations watch out for their people's well-being and intervene during times of crisis.

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...'"  — Matthew 28:18-19

 

What to Look for in a Mission-Sending Agency

Of course, there's no law that says you have to partner with missionary agencies. Many missionaries "go it alone," or they work with a church or parachurch organization. You will need to do your homework to evaluate various mission sending organizations and to determine which one (if any) is right for you.

As you think about the pros and cons of missionary agencies, you need to establish some criteria for evaluation, and we've listed some important starting points below. Honestly, these should probably be deal breakers for you because ignoring any of them will likely cause problems for you—and the agency—down the road.

 

1. Make Sure the Organization Is a Theological Fit

If a sending agency's theology does not align with your key beliefs, move on to the next option. One way to resolve this issue is to lean into your denomination's agency. But if you choose another route, make sure you agree on non-negotiable theological issues with the missionary agencies you are considering.

 

2. Make Sure the Organization Is a Philosophical Fit

If God has called you to the mission field, you have some deeply held ideas about what missions are all about. You need to make sure your vision for missions aligns with the mission sending organizations' vision. That includes issues like methodology and sustainability. If theology is the "what" in missions, philosophy is the "why" and the "how."

 

3. Make Sure You're Comfortable with the Organization's Care Plan

It's not selfish to expect missionary agencies to have your back. You should absolutely be comfortable with a group's plan for getting you to the field and meeting your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs once you arrive. Not to mention, you'll need a financial plan, so make sure you're aligned on things like travel costs and salary (if applicable). Even the strongest believer following the most passionate call will struggle with adjusting to life overseas. Be sure the mission sending organizations you consider have a clear plan to support you.

 

4. Make Sure the Organization Is Committed to Proper Training

The best missionary agencies work hard to prepare their missionaries for what's coming their way on the field. That can encompass things like cultural and language training, which are vital. But it also includes spiritual guidance and basic life skills. The value of personal and spiritual preparation can't be overstated, so prioritize mission sending organizations that will do their best to set you up for success through training.

 

5. Make Sure the Organization's Reputation Is Airtight

Most missionary agencies are sincere and committed to their calling, but sketchy operators do exist, so you have to be careful. Look at things like how long mission sending organizations have been sponsoring missionaries and how effective their work has been over that time. Of course, you'll want to ensure a group's financial integrity. One great way to do that is by checking their standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). A good mission agency will hold you to a high standard, and its leaders won't be offended if you hold them to a high standard as well.

 

Find a Missionary with Experience

Honestly, the number of missionary agencies continues to grow. As noted, some are affiliated with particular denominations, while others are private mission sending organizations. But they're all passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission.

So, you have a lot of options—and that's not a bad thing. It just means you'll need to be intentional in your research. 

While internet searches are fine, don't ignore the benefit of talking with actual missionaries who are on the field or have been overseas. It could be an individual on furlough or a veteran who's now retired. Better yet, talk to as many as you can.

Missionaries can give you great insight into some of the best practices for picking among missionary agencies. They can also help you know what to expect once you're in the country. Maybe most importantly, their stories and wisdom can inspire you in a way nothing else could.

Once you have a missionary agency in mind, a good next step is going on a short-term mission trip with them to experience what they do and how they do it.

 

Related Questions

 

How Much Does a Missionary Get Paid?

Missionary pay varies widely, but many are supported through fundraising, and others receive a modest stipend that covers basic living expenses rather than a traditional salary.

 

Do You Need a License to Be a Missionary?

You do not need a general license to be a missionary, though certain roles, such as medical or counseling work, may require professional credentials.

 

How Many Hours a Week Do Missionaries Work?

Most missionaries work full-time hours, often exceeding forty hours per week as ministry and daily life responsibilities overlap.

 

Do Missionaries Pay Income Tax?

In many cases, missionaries are responsible for paying income tax, though specific obligations depend on citizenship, income structure, and tax laws in their home country.

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