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The Three Vs

July 13, 2024

By Jonathan Stone 

When exploring missions, it will serve you well to consider the three Vs in order.

VISION
  1. What are your core values? These are the things that make you who you are. They don’t change with a change of employment or through different seasons of life. These are the passions that motivate you to do the things you love doing.
  2. How has God SHAPEd you? What are your Spiritual Gifts? What is your Heart’s desire? What are your Abilities? What is your Personality? What Experiences has God given you?
  3. What has God called you to do? Take note of what you are doing right now and where you are serving in your church presently. Following God’s call to mission is the call on your life right now, right where you are. This may change and take different shape over the years so you don’t have to know the details of the future, but identifying the big picture of what you would like to do to build God’s Kingdom will help you as you move forward.
VEHICLE
  1. Who is going to help you get to where God is calling you to serve? Take note of the people around you: your family, your church, your community. You may feel a tendency to pull away in anticipation for serving overseas, but you should do the opposite. Engage! Be intentional with relationships. Participate in those small groups and prayer times. Make memories with family and friends. These will end up being the people who will become your partners and supporters. They will receive you on home assignments and ask you good questions. They will become a lifeline for you so take the time now to go deep.
  2. What sending organization will equip and train you to go? You may not even know the questions you should be asking as you prepare to go. A good sending organization will help you ask the questions and work with you to discover the answers. A sending organization is like a glove. It is meant to fit your hand. There are lots of high-quality “gloves;” find the one that will fit your hand the best, helping you to accomplish your vision. When you find the right organization, remember that they will grow and change as you grow and change. You will see flaws along the way, but keep going with a humble heart. Having this group behind you, affirming you, and training you will give you credibility, structure, accountability, and freedom while helping you prevent some needless frustrations.
VENUE
  1. Where are you going to serve? Often this is the first question that is asked but it is in fact the least important. Ask a missionary to tell you their “change of field” story; most have them. There are so many variables that affect where you serve: political and economic changes, visa restrictions, children’s education, unexpected health situations. Hold the venue with open hands. As you learn a new language and grow to love your people and culture, you will grow in relationships with the local community and the foreign will become familiar.
  2. How long will you serve there? Your time on the field may be for your whole life or just a short season. The circumstances may change, and you might move to another city, country, or even continent. Your time overseas could be preparing you to serve in a new way in your home culture. You may make new connections that help you discover God’s leading into new areas aligned with your vision.

 

Discussion Questions:

In the comments, share an answer to one of the questions. Or, on your social media, copy and paste the link to this blog with an answer to one of the questions: 

  • Share your thoughts on what you’ve read.
  • Where is God calling you to go? How will you get there?
  • What verses in the Bible talk about missions?
  • Who are you most thankful to for helping you serve locally or overseas?
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