“I just don’t feel called to the mission field.”

As an executive at a mission agency, I regularly interact with men and women about world missions. Inevitably, I run into this statement. When I ask the speaker to explain what that means, I don’t get much clarity.

So, how would you answer? Are all Christians called to the mission field?

My answer is an emphatic no.

Why? Because no Christian is called to the mission field. Wait, what? Please hear me out.

Rather, I suggest that the “call to missions” is not a call to missions as an institution at all; it is a call to the person of God, who is on mission.

So what’s my support for this? Take a look at Mark 3:14. Here, Jesus “appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach” (emphasis mine). Jesus first drew them in and then sent them out.

Why is this distinction important?

When we use the term called, it emphasizes our feelings, rather than the reality of God’s command.

So rather than using the feelings-focused called, using the term sent emphasizes the authority of Jesus. Look again at Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8. Is that called language or sent language?

The uncomfortable fact is that much of the fruit God sends us to harvest is found among thorns — people who are undesirable to us (and vice-versa!). Jesus didn’t feel called to a world that would reject, torture and ultimately crucify Him. He came — and stayed — because He understood He had a mission to accomplish. Feelings weren’t enough.

The distinction between feeling called and being sent is vital for health and longevity in ministry. Jesus promised that, in this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33). When that trouble comes, it will only be Christ’s love that compels us forward (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

So the next time Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you,” (John 20:21) how will you answer?

Jim Beerley grew up as a missionary kid in Haiti and Canada. He later returned overseas to serve in Haiti and then Monaco. He currently lives in Ontario, where he leads Crossworld Canada. Jim and his wife, Mary, have three children.