What the Practicum Taught Me About Preparation

The most prideful I’ve ever felt was standing in the back of a Buddhist temple. I remember it like it was yesterday. We visited a temple where thousands throughout the city came to worship hundreds of enormous idols. It was the first time I’d ever seen someone physically bow down to a statue of a false god. For a moment, I was tempted to look down on the ignorance of these idol-worshipers. Thankfully, the Lord stamped a burning image into my mind: every time I place my sinful desires above the glory of God, I’m bowing down to the idol of self. Apart from God’s mercy, I am no more righteous—and no less of an idol worshipper—than these Buddhists who bowed down next to me. 

Resisting Ministry Warfare Through Faithful Endurance 

Suffering can come internally or externally. Missionaries, of course, aren’t exempt. Throughout the remainder of my Practicum, I battled against pride. I spoke to many missionaries who had experienced spiritual warfare and suffering. It became clear to me that workers on the field must be aware of the warning in 1 Peter 5:8 and embody the instincts of 1 Peter 5:9. Indeed, the Devil does prowl around as a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour. But we must “resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 

During my time on the field, I found that one of the greatest preparations for missionary life was knowing how to suffer well for at least two purposes: 

1. to savor and build a living church;
2. and to glorify God by proclaiming to the nations that our everlasting hope is in Christ alone.

Living Out the Local Church’s Purpose

Aspiring missionaries must believe that the goal of missions is flourishing, healthy churches. How will they believe this if they have never experienced it in his or her own local church? Consider passages like Galatians 6:1–2. Paul writes, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Does your church help each other stay true to those exhortations?

Our team faithfully sought to bear each other’s burdens through the local church we served. We shared our spiritual needs and prayed for them on a daily basis as a team. As we truly invested our lives into the church, we realized that missionary life will be most sustainable when missionaries share their sufferings and blessings with their local.  

I’m overjoyed to have had the privilege of devoting my summer to a church in Southeast Asia. I loved being poured into by our host missionaries and sitting down at the dinner table with a passionate family from the church. And yet, I consider my sending church in Ohio to be my most profound preparation for missions. They’ve not only mentored and educated me; they’ve shared in my own sufferings and sustained my joy and passion for God’s glory. 

Joy in Suffering as Testimony to the Nations

Finally, in both the church and on the field, I’ve found James 1:2-4 to be demonstrably true: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” 

Biblical mentorship and theological training are essential to ministry preparation. And yet, I suspect that enduring trials is just as essential. We testify to the truth and value of God’s Word when we hold fast to Christ amidst trial. We can say, along with Job, “the Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). We rejoice that all we have is Christ, and in so doing we are a light to the nations.  

God’s Word is clear: those who faithfully pursue His glory will be sharpened in their trials, so much so that they will lack nothing. Such trials may feel constant for missionaries. I’m beyond grateful for my Practicum experience because it has urged me to devote my life to the local church as the primary means of preparing my life for the sufferings, joys, and work of the mission field.