Young Men with Purpose: Part 1

Meet John D: a young man with a great family, a solid education, a passion for Christ, and an engaging personality. If you expected him to be the kind of guy who makes a great leader, with a fascinating story and an even more interesting life ahead of him, you’d be right. 
 

He has an unusual vision. In a society that places extremely high value on worldly success and the ultimate attainment of the American Dream, John is directly counter-cultural, determined to use his talents, abilities, and resources in pursuit of the best calling imaginable: to follow God with all that he is, and to share the News of Christ with a dying world. 
 

Having grown up in Spain as a Missionary Kid, John knows missionary life (a life that is rarely easy, as he can well attest to) – his parents have been working full-time in ministry ever since he can remember, and by the time he was three years old, he was immersed in the Godless culture of the Spanish school system. From an early age, he faced questions about his faith, opposition against his American roots, and the pull of secular society on his young life. However, by God’s grace, John turned out well. Today, as he prepares to head to Germany for long-term missions work, he’s confident in what God has called him to, and passionate about using his life in total surrender to the only One worth serving. 

Here is John’s advice to young people who are interested in missions, or anyone who desires to use their lives to glorify God and advance His Kingdom.

Questions you should ask yourself:

1. Have I submitted (or surrendered) all areas of my life to Christ? This question is daily (Luke 9:23).

2. How do I treat people? All people? Do I pray for those that do me harm?

3. Am I a good listener? Not just listening to respond, but listening because you care for this person and what they have to say.

4. Do I lean on God's word? Do I read it, memorize it, believe it, trust in it?

5. Have I been a part of a healthy church or parachurch (navigators/intervarsity/cru organization) that's grounded in God's Word and will support me? 

6. What is my prayer life like? 

7. Am I listening to God? I recommend spending some time (45m-60m) totally disconnected from the Internet or Smartphone where you can be in silence/listen to worship music/worship God.

8. Find a missionary and talk to them! Ask them about what it's like, and what they struggled with. In case that's not possible, there are a lot of books on missionaries available.

"The main characteristic which is the proof of the indwelling Spirit is an amazing tenderness in personal dealing, and a blazing truthfulness with regard to God's Word.” – Oswald Chambers