This week I shared with you 7 Ways to Fail as a Missionary and I promised that I would follow it up with characteristics of a successful missionary.
In this episode of Now is the Time I introduce you to a real life hero missionary. I spent 2 months with Duane Howe in the deep jungles of Brazil and Peru almost 20 years ago yet his example of ministry still influences me today!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:07 — 21.2MB) | Embed
Duane Howe with the Ashinka tribe in Western Brazil
So what are the characteristics of good missionary?
A drive to share the love of Jesus
Not every missionary is a church planter or an evangelist but just because you’re not on “the front lines” doesn’t mean you’re not sharing the gospel.
No matter the official title or the situation good missionaries are always ready to share the love of Jesus with those around them.
A positive and hopeful attitude
If we truly are the bearers of good news then we ought to have an attitude that matches. Rather than complaining about their surroundings good missionaries tend to encourage others and focus on the hope that they have in Jesus.
This kind of attitude is infectious and attractive. It tells people that we have a living and eternal hope that temporary problems can’t extinguish.
A flexible mindset
Sometimes we can be too goal oriented and results driven to see the opportunities that God has placed right before us. Good missionaries learn that they can’t plan for everything and sometimes the best ministry opportunities aren’t planned for at all.
Instead of getting discouraged when things don’t happen the way we plan, we need to be flexible, ready for change and ready to make the most of every opportunity God throws our way.
A passion to communicate
Too often missionaries think of communicating with those who sent them as a chore and something that takes them away from the real ministry and that’s wrong!
Communication should be viewed as part of the ministry, not a distraction from it. Missionaries who communicate well encourage and challenge their readers to be better followers of Christ.
Announcements
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Question: What other characteristics make a good missionary?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:07 — 21.2MB) | Embed
floyd
September 7, 2013It seems the same qualities and attributes for good missionaries can apply to all of us regardless of where we are… and thank our Father literally for the likes of you and Duane.
Caleb
September 7, 2013You’re probably right, these qualities are pretty universal.
Caleb
September 7, 2013Arlen, thanks for stopping by and thanks for the encouragement! It’s pretty cool that you have missionary friends in Ukraine. I’ll have to connect with them.
Ngina Otiende
September 8, 2013“Not every missionary is a church planter or an evangelist” I am learning this more and more!
Caleb
September 8, 2013Ngina, what ways are you learning that now?
Ngina Otiende
September 11, 2013I’ve carried a ‘missionary’ & ‘leader’ tag at one time or another in the past. right now i have neither (at least not officially!) but the work is the same 🙂
Dan Erickson
September 10, 2013How about empathy. We should try to understand others’ worlds, their worldview and how they feel.
Caleb
September 10, 2013Yes, Dan, empathy is a great characteristic to add! In fact I think you could say that Jesus practiced empathy when he left his glory behind and came to this world to live as and ordinary man.