1. Make God the center of your life.
   The Lord is your Maker, Sender, and Friend. It is crucial to be in constant communication with Him over every detail- you need that Divine contact with God. Even the smallest decisions are important, and you want the Lord to guide you in every one.
   - Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...”
   - Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
   
   
2. Develop a spiritual connection with God through prayer.
   This is what the Lord takes pleasure in- the unseen dedication. Set aside time daily to be in private prayer with the Lord. Lift up specific things.
   - Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
   - Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

3. Be in the Word.
   Read through the Bible often. Set aside your own time daily to be alone in the Word of God. It is vital for spiritual nourishment and growth. Digest it- meditate, ponder, think over what you are reading in a spirit of prayer.
   - John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”
   - Psalm 185:2, “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” (NKJV)
   - Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”
   
   
4. Be involved in a Bible teaching church.
   It is vital to your walk with the Lord to be under the teaching of the Word and in fellowship with other believers. All Christians need teaching and guidance.
   - Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
   
   
5. Be in regular fellowship with other believers.
   This goes beyond attending church. Get involved with a small group where you can form some edifying relationships. Every believer needs personal accountability and encouragement.
   - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

6. Get involved with supporting missionaries.
   In addition to personal fellowship, it would be helpful to join a missions-focused group, such as Missions Minded. This has many benefits, such as learning more about missions and developing a heart to pray for other missionaries.
   - Colossians 4:2-3, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”
   - 2 Thessalonians 3:1, “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”

7. You must learn how to be a missionary in your own culture before venturing overseas to minister.
   Invest in everyone you come in contact with, because the Lord can use you in anyone’s life, even a stranger’s. Get involved with ministries that reach out beyond the church.  Most importantly, get involved with ministering to immigrants/individuals from the area that you feel called to.
   - Matthew 10:42, “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
   - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
   - Hebrews 13:16, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

8. Explore the Call.
   Visit a missionary and serve for a short period of time alongside of them.  Attend a Missions Conference or visit a missionary sending agency to learn more. 

9. Learn to be sacrificial in your giving and service to God.
   Here’s a tip: Read about the lives of John Wesley and George Whitefield.

10. Learn from the mistakes/successes of others.
    Read biographies of other missionaries. Find out how they survived their calling, how they drew closer to the Lord in times of trouble and in the midst of turmoil. This doesn’t mean that you are not led by the Holy Spirit, but allow yourself to be taught by the lives of others.

Where ever you go or whatever you do, the key is to be completely dependant on the Lord’s will for your life. God wants a heart that desires to do His will, no matter where He leads you- to go or to stay. And remember, as Corry Ten Boom said, “You are either a missionary or the mission field.”