Should I Be a Missionary?

EMQ » Oct – Dec 2025 » Volume 61 Issue 4

Reviewed by David Walker, IMB missionary to South Asia, disability advocate, and student of Global Studies at Liberty Theological Seminary. 

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Should I Be a Missionary? by Andy Johnson is a concise and accessible guide published as part of the 9Marks series of Church Questions. This short, instructive book addresses a pressing question many Christians face: “Am I called to be a missionary?” Johnson provides biblically grounded advice to help readers discern whether they are suited for this important role. The book serves as a practical resource for local church ministers and members alike, offering a clear framework for evaluating one’s readiness for the mission field. 

Johnson, who holds a PhD from Texas A&M and serves as an associate pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., brings a wealth of experience to the topic. Although not a missionary himself, Johnson has spent years facilitating missions on the board of trustees for the International Mission Board and equipping churches to send out missionaries. His background lends credibility to his insights, making this book a valuable resource for anyone considering cross-cultural ministry. 

In Should I Be a Missionary? Johnson walks the reader through a series of questions designed to help them assess their calling. He asks whether the reader understands what a missionary is, whether they meet the qualifications for leading a mission, and whether they have the ability to assist a lead missionary. These questions are framed around one’s spiritual maturity, involvement in the local church, and willingness to engage in evangelism and discipleship – core aspects of his definition of missionary work. He also explores the importance of practical skills, team dynamics, and the personal and spiritual challenges that missionaries often face. 

In the middle sections of the book, Johnson emphasizes that being sent by a local church is central to a missionary’s identity. His view of missions work is grounded in the biblical model of evangelism and discipleship, distinguishing between those who are sent out by a church with a clear purpose and those who might work overseas without that specific calling. He also touches on the importance of adaptability, ongoing theological education, and receiving mentorship from experienced missionaries, all of which are critical to a successful mission. 

One interesting aspect of the book is how Johnson begins his discernment process by focusing on questions of leadership and teamwork. This approach assumes that missionaries will serve as part of a team and addresses a common issue in missions – personal conflicts among team members. By encouraging readers to think through their roles within a team, Johnson tackles this challenge head-on. Moreover, he reserves the discussion of missionary motivation until later in the book, grounding it in the desire to be sent by a local church, rather than personal enthusiasm or guilt. 

While the book offers a solid framework for discerning a call to missions, it leaves some areas underdeveloped. For instance, readers may benefit from additional discussion on the challenges missionaries face in complex global contexts or insights into non-evangelistic roles that Christians might take overseas, such as marketplace ministry or social work. However, church leaders looking to guide potential missionaries will find this book an excellent conversation starter, offering a foundation for further dialogue on the realities of missions work. Overall, Should I Be a Missionary? is a valuable resource for US churches, schools, and ministries to provide to individuals considering missions. It offers a thoughtful, biblical approach to discernment and can help lay the groundwork for meaningful discussions between church leaders and prospective missionaries. 

For Further Reading

Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global by Andy Johnson (Crossway, 2017). 

Before You Go: Wisdom from 10 Women Who Served Internationally edited by Emily Bennett (B&H, 2023). 

Before You Go: Wisdom from 10 Men Who Served Internationally edited by Matthew Bennett and Joshua Bowman (B&H, 2024). 

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EMQ, Volume 61, Issue 4. Copyright © 2025 by Missio Nexus. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from Missio Nexus. Email: [email protected].