So you are interested in missionary work ?

 

Well there is no greater privilege than being called in to the special service of God. The Lord tells us that the fields are white and ready for harvesting but the workers are few. Yet despite this fact it is not our policy as a Mission to rush people into the work of missionary endeavour. All things need to be done in order and with prayerful consideration from start to finish as you test and, in due course we trust, respond positively to your wonderful and thrilling sense of call. Indeed, one thing we stress in UFM is that a clear sense of God's sovereign call to missionary service is an absolute essential in a person's life. One vital aspect of that call is the conviction that the Gospel must be the first priority in your life. The details of where and when you are to serve the Lord may take some time to become clear, but there will be a growing determination that Christ must be pre-eminent in all things. We are committed to assisting Christians with a clear sense of call to go to any country in the world. One of the main reasons why we are now working in some countries is that the Lord sent us people who felt called to work there.

Local churches, not mission agencies, send missionaries. The call to missionary service is tested first in the local church. Everyone who applies to serve with UFM Worldwide must have their call endorsed by their local church. We are committed to involving the leaders of the local church in the application process, including the final interview. The ongoing pastoral care of our missionaries and key decisions affecting their ministry are undertaken in close fellowship with the leaders of their home church.

We know what an important time this is for you in your life and want to help you in everyway possible. Do take the time to talk through your sense of call with your minister and trusted Christian friends. Discuss your desires, scrutinise your motives. Is it possible that you might be running away from some difficulty or sadness in your life? Alternatively, could it be that you are genuinely becoming increasingly persuaded that the Lord has his hand upon your life, with a desire to put it to a purpose that is currently taking your spiritual breath away? Be scrupulously honest with yourself, and your advisers, and make everything a matter of prayer. As a Mission we also want to help you at this time. We would be happy to meet with you and to answer any questions you might have. Areas to be looked at as you seek to properly discern God's will for your life should include:

• The Circumstances of your life - do they have a message for you?
• The Inner Conviction of your heart - what do you really feel?
• The Counsel you have received from your friends - positive or negative, why?
• The word from Christ in Scripture - what are you hearing?

You could meet in the first instance with our Irish Secretary. Also available at other times for consultation would be the Chairman of UFM in Ireland, or any of our missionaries home on furlough. If you feel that we could help you in anyway please do not hesitate to contact us. It would be our privilege and pleasure to meet with you, and to help you, as you prayerfully and carefully seek the will of God for your life.