International Missions

[KougaHane]

God is calling me to be a long-term missionary in Japan. That I'm sure of. So please pray that everything will go smoothly when the time comes. But what I'd really appreciate right now is a little guidance. I don't even know where to begin. Is there some sort of application process to being a missionary? I know I can't go right this minute as I'm not even that skilled in the language and I'm only 19, I still feel a bit too young. So what kind of time frame can I expect? I know it's ultimately up to God but I'd still like to hear an estimate, and simply how I can get started signing up and whatnot early, even before I leave.

[ADXC]

Wow, congrats.

Let me ask you though, are you feeling a passion to do missions in Japan or do you feel called by God to do so? A passion is a fiery burst of interest in doing something which can last forever if continually fuel by something, but otherwise the flame will die down and go away. While a call by God is eternal. You may even feel opposed to the idea at first, but as you slowly move towards it, it becomes the true life-long occupation.

I would suggest that you try looking into a Bible college and either get a degree in missions of some kind or take some classes in Cross-cultural ministry. Why I say this is not just so you can say you are qualified to be a missionary or learn the ropes, but mostly so that you can come up with your own Theology of missions (Which is very important.).

Let me say this though, you do not have to do this in order to be a missionary. You can go by yourself with an organization or via some other way.

How long have you felt called to be a missionary to Japan? If it has been less then a year or two, you should try testing this call to see if it is one. Again, you don't have to do this, but it would be helpful. The best way I can think is to actually go on a short-term mission trip to there and then you can see if it may be what God wants you to do.


Believe me, I cannot put a timeline on this because there is a lot of stuff to do and that you could do, you just have to determine what God wants you to do through prayer. However, I can most certainly say that you probably won't begin your actual long-term ministry for a few years at least(However, I'm not saying it is not possible. You could, but only through God's power.). It takes time, learning, fund-raising, patience, friend-raising, and PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER!

You and I are in the same boat because I too feel called to be a missionary to Japan. I've felt this "Call"(Notice I put quotations around it because I think it's a call, but it could still be a passion) for about 6 years and I am HOPING that this is what God wants me to do. I actually feel that it is because nothing else makes sense for me; however, I could still even be wrong too.

In the end, I pray that we may all glorify God in the way He has called us to do so.

[Kaori]

Is there some sort of application process to being a missionary?

Um, you can apply to a specific mission organization. There is no one place to sign up to be a Missionary to Japan. Try taking a look at the JEMA (Japan Evangelical Missionary Association) website and their list of member missions. JEMA is the main missionary association in Japan]ACSI[/url] (Association of Christian Schools International) has two accredited schools in Japan, and I can fill you in on information pertaining to those schools or on teaching in Japan generally, since that’s what I do.

I know I can't go right this minute as I'm not even that skilled in the language and I'm only 19, I still feel a bit too young. So what kind of time frame can I expect?

Speaking from experience, I can tell you that once you move to a foreign country and begin working, it’s very hard to go back and get any sort of additional degrees or training. So, my main advice is this: get your credentials now. In order to do missions in Japan long-term, you need specific skills and training, and what those are will depend on what kind of missions you want to do. At the very least, you will need your Bachelor’s in . . . something. Do you want to work as a pastor or a minister? Get an appropriate degree from a Bible college now. Do you want to teach in a school? Get your teaching degree now. You should want to learn Japanese; learn as much as you can now. If there is a JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) test site near where you live, it wouldn’t hurt to try to pass level 5 or 4 before you leave for Japan (and higher if you’re able to). Passing level 1 or 2 (1 is fluent) will open up opportunities to work in Japanese organizations that require fluency in Japanese, but that will take a lot of study.

This might be hard advice to take if you feel called to do missions and want to get started as soon as possible, but I cannot stress enough how important it is. Whatever the highest level of education is that you want to have, get it now, because once you move to Japan, it’s very possible you might not have a chance to do so later.

That all said, I think it is great that you are planning to commit long-term; missions becomes much more effective when there’s a long-term commitment. This is especially true in Japan, where evangelizing is all about building lasting relationships with people and showing them through your daily walk the abundant life that comes from knowing Christ. Japanese people don’t make decisions instantaneously the way that Americans sometimes will; they need to see Christianity lived out and see a Christian community that looks like something they would want to belong to before they will make a commitment. So it is a slow process, and the longer you stay (the more language ability you gain, the more you begin to understand the intricacies of Japanese culture), the better.

[Atria35]

Passing level 1 or 2 (1 is fluent) will open up opportunities to work in Japanese organizations that require fluency in Japanese, but that will take a lot of study.

Recommending that you NOT go for one. Most Japanese cannot pass Level One. It will cause friction is they know you can and most Japanese can't.

[Hiryu]

I too, have been called to missions. He hasn't called me to a specific place, but if I had a choice, I would go to Japan. I'm in a community college working on getting my Associates right now. Even though you're a missionary, you may want to learn how to do something else, not only to have sort of a back-up plan, but I get the impression that some countries will not allow you into their country for purely evangelical reasons. I'm not sure if Japan is one of those countries. Teaching english as a foreign language is a good way to get into most countries, since you are a most likely a natural-born/fluent speaker of english.

[ADXC]

I totally agree with Kaori and Hiryu.


Like with me, I'm taking Counseling courses(So that I may be a counselor) and learning how to do TESOL(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) so I am making sure I have some different things that I could do.

Like if being a missionary does not work out, I could be a counselor somewhere or teach English somewhere.

So I agree it's best to get something else that you can rely on too.

[Kaori]

I get the impression that some countries will not allow you into their country for purely evangelical reasons. I'm not sure if Japan is one of those countries.

Japan will allow you to enter as a missionary. “Religious activitiesâ€

[TheMewster]

Prayed. I wanna be a missionary too but I'm not old enough. But yeah, get a degree, learn Japanese, and make sure this is your actual calling. God bless!