FAQ Category: Serving

MCN’s understanding of mission is grounded in God’s Word and the Lutheran confessions.  The Reformation “solas,” that we are saved by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), on the basis of Scripture alone (sola scriptura), guide MCN’s work. We recognize that while by grace God is the creator of faith, we are instruments He uses to proclaim the Good News. Learn More

We accept applications at any time with an application deadline of March 1 for a fall deployment! New mission partner training is in May. The Concordia Mission Institute is in July, and new mission partners usually leave for the field in August or September. (Note: This timeline could look different depending on the needs of our international mission partners.)

Yes! MCN is passionate about good missionary training. New mission partners come together for a week-long training in areas such as fundraising, culture shock, and missiology to prepare them for their first year abroad. Each summer we hold the Concordia Mission Institute (CMI) along with Lutheran Bible Translators, a week-long conference “by missionaries, for missionaries.” CMI is organized around a focus on four key Mission Perspectives. They are: Missio Dei (Mission of God), Relationship, Vocation, and Engagement. This yearly gathering is an important time for the MCN team to gather for ongoing training and relationship building.

God is the one who calls, and God is the one who equips. Being a missionary doesn’t require being a “super Christian” or some specific set of gifts and talents. In fact, everyone who knows Jesus and knows other people is a missionary! Cross-cultural work does call for flexibility, a desire to learn, patience, and dependence on God. But even these qualities are things that the Holy Spirit loves to work in us!

Nope! Although we have many mission partners who are recent college graduates, we also have many mission partners who are retired or who come overseas after many years of work in the US.

Cross-cultural ministry requires a tremendous amount of adaptation and learning – learning culture, customs, history, language, social expectations, and so much more. A 2-year commitment helps with cultural adaptation and coping with culture shock, making it more likely for the adjustment to go well. After a first year on the field, mission partners have time back in the US to connect with family and supporters and attend the Concordia Mission Institute summer training before returning for a second year.

As in all things, the mission is God’s. Although mission partners do need to raise their own funds and this can seem daunting at first, each partner would tell you their own stories of God’s amazing provision. Building connections with churches and individuals provides mission partners with a base of support not just financially but also for prayer and encouragement. MCN helps with training for fundraising and makes every effort to keep administrative costs low so that the money being raised goes directly into supporting you on the field.

No, you don’t! MCN does require a bachelor’s degree for most locations, but our Mission Partners come from many different backgrounds. They have degrees in things like education, English, or theology but also math, science or business. Any degrees and skills can open doors for international ministry!

Throughout the application process we discuss different opportunities to find a good fit. We take care to match needs in the mission field and requests from our partner organizations with applicant gifts and preferences. To see current openings, go to the Mission Opportunities page.

Our Mission Partners serve in 18 different countries in many different kinds of ministry such as teaching, youth ministry, community outreach, and church work.