If you sense a calling to start a new ministry, you may feel blessed and excited — but dually anxious. You may ask: Is this my true calling? How do I know? What if I’m wrong?

To help you listen for the still voice of the Holy Spirit, try asking these questions.

If you’ve answered the call to overseas missions, you will be required to learn other things besides a new language and how to pack a suitcase with clothing for another climate. It takes more than a desire to help, and more than knowledge of the Gospel, to be an effective missionary. Whether your project is a short trip or a long-term ministry, becoming culturally aware and sensitive to the people you hope to reach is imperative. Too often, cultural insensitivity serves as a significant barrier to well-intentioned ministerial aims, causing a powerful message to be lost in a sea of offense and misunderstanding.

Here is the 411 you need to know on missionary etiquette. We’ve covered dress codes, table manners, gender politics, and more!

Cultural Values
Culture defines the differences in the way people live, and those variations are critical to our effectiveness in advancing the cause of Christ. Sherwood Lingenfelter, author of Ministering Cross-Culturally, describes several ways cultural values might differ. Underestimating these differences can result in disaster.