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Have I Been Called?Simple answer:Yes, we are all called to make followers of Jesus among every people group.

Less simple answer:Its worth taking a little time to find out if God really has called you to cross-culturalwork before you jump on the plane. Two starting principles

Two starting principles

Firstly, you shouldnt be reading this if you havent already started talking to your own church leader-ship (but youve started now so you may as well finish!). Best place to start is with your home churchon board: they know you and can support you as you explore Gods calling. They will recognise Godscall on your life (Acts 13:1-3) and support you in your adventures.

Secondly, if God says something to you, dont keep asking for advice, confirmation and signs indefi-nitely. If you know God has spoken to you, do not doubt it, no matter what we or anyone else may say

(James 1:5-7).

The experience of others

As we journey with you we trust God will lead us in your preparation, and give us glimpses of his plan foryou. We will also look for the effects of Gods calling coming out in your life. What does this mean? Peoplewho have gone to serve long term have tended to do some of the following:

1. Learn about Gods heart for the world in Scripture2. Learn from others experience; get praying for cross-cultural

work

3. Learn about other countries and religions, and how to sharethe gospel4. Share their calling with the church and the church leaders5. Get actively involved in church life6. Pray through personal pastoral issues and seek to mature as a

person

We are not searching for the finished article (like it exists), and this is by no means the checklist for asuccessful candidate, but we encourage you to get stuck in, because through these activities we can seethat God is leading you, and God can show you where youre going. Remember we are people who arecommitted to growing personally (Phil 3:14), and, in cross-cultural work in particular, we are looking forteachability.

Still, we have seen people who have left out some of the things outlined above and come unstuck lateron! If some of them are missing or lacking, we might advise you to spend a little more time in preparationand checking out the call. It may not be a long time, but long enough to make sure the foundations aresolid!

1. Gods heart for the world in Scripture

We suggest looking at one of the many books available on the subject, e.g. Let the Nations be GladbyJohn Piper or The Mission of Gods People: A Biblical Theology of the Churchs Missionby Chris Wright. Possi-

bly take aKairoscourse (www.kairoscourse.info), and look at Gods heart for the world and our purpose init - about 40 hours over a number of weeks. You could listen to Our God is a Missionary Godby John Stottwhich outlines that Gods heart, from Genesis to Revelation, is for all the nations to know Him (www.johnstottmemorial.org/life-passion/audio-recordings/). As well as regular teaching at church we recom-mend ensuring your basic theology is solid. Try Bruce Milnes book: Know the Truth.

Written by J M. Bell

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2. Learn from others experience

Take opportunities to listen to workers and to talk with them.Jesus Says Goby Robin Wells covers thosewhat if questions and should get you fired up about a life of mission. Carl Medearis tells incrediblestories of Jesus working where we tend to think he is not (carlmedearis.com/audio.html). MiraculousMovements: How Hundreds of Thousands of Muslims Are Falling in Love with Jesusby Jerry Trousdale isenvisoning. Nik Ripken shares his experience in Somalia in two challenging books: The Insanity of God: ATrue Story of Faith Resurrected andThe Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places. Sign up to

receive an encouraging e-zine:The Journey

which will help equip you (www.frontiers.org.uk).If you feel that you are called to workwith Muslims it would make sense topray for people in Muslim ministry.Sign up to receive monthly prayerupdates On your knees(www.fron-tiers.org.uk). Contact agencies to re-ceive prayer letters of workers in yourregion of interest. Prayer informationfrom all over the Muslim world can

be obtained from Fellowship of FaithFor Muslims (www.f-f-m.org.uk).

3. Learn about other countries and religions, and how to share the gospel

We recommend: Attending a Frontiers training event such as a Reachday www. frontiers.org.uk/get-inspired/for dates. Friendship Firstby Steve Bell (is a book or course) helping ordinary Christians discussgood news with ordinary Muslims (available from Frontiers or Interserve). Nick Chatrath has written aguide called Reaching Muslims. Carl Medearis writes that we should be pointing people to Jesus, notChristianity, in Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships. ColinChapmans classic Cross and Crescentis well worth reading. Please email for more recommendations. The

debate Who is God and How are We Saved(on Youtube) explores contentious issues between Muslims andChristians a help to share more effectively and avoid fruitless arguments. Take an interest in the countryor region God puts on your heart. Check out news websites. Pray. Also, make some friends from thesecountries. Get involved with international student or immigrant ministry.

4. Share your calling with the church and the church leaders

These people know you best and can advise you. Raising your support base is vital and this will generallycome from friends and your church, so share your vision with them as it develops. Many agencies will notaccept candidates if they do not have the support of their church. Biblically (Acts 13), the church recog-nises Gods call on your life and will send you out and support you in prayer.

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Have you been called?Lets keep talking! Our aim is to help you discern Gods call on your life,

serve you and glorify God. Why not contact us through the website orgive us a call? Your journey to the Muslim world starts right here!

5. Get actively involved in church life

For individuals serious about discerning their appointment from God to establish churches among Mus-lims, the single most important factor is previous active participation in the life of the church; to under-stand what a church is and how it functions and to have practical experience in labouring to build up thechurch body (Greg Livingstone: Planting Churches in Muslim Cities).

6. Pray through personal pastoral issues and seek to mature as a person

If you or others recognise any issues that need addressing, seek to address them and grow. Issues suchas self image, how we see God (Is he a loving Father?), our ability to resolve disagreement and conflictwith others, our attitude to leadership and being prepared to press on through difficulty and still knowthe delight of a relationship with God are all important on the field and need to be built in early.

Digital resources (click to visit):

Get Inspired Resources: frontiers.org.uk/getinspired/

Other Info and resources oscar.org.uk, christianvocations.org

Highlighting unreached people groups joshuaproject.net, peoplegroups.org

Whats going on in world outreach missionfrontiers.org, brigada.org

Prayer: 24-7prayer.com, 30-days.net, operationworld.org

Romans 8:29 - At the foundation of all this must be a strong prayer life.

Only as we spend time with God can we be made more like him and get his direction.

web: www.frontiers.org.uk | tel: 0303 333 5051 | email: info@frontiers.org.uk